It’s an operative vaginal delivery type wherein the doctor uses tools such as forceps to make the delivery happen. It's needed during the vaginal childbirth.

Forceps happen to be an instrument shaped as salad tongs. During an assisted delivery using forceps, the instrument is applied to baby’s head to guide the baby out of birth canal. It’s generally done at time of contraction when the mother pushes.

When will there be a need for forceps delivery?

Assisted delivery with forceps would only be considered if your labor fulfils some vital criteria as given:

1. The cervix is fully dilated

2. The membranes have ruptured

3. Baby has moved down into birth canal headfirst, but you fail to push the baby out.

It’s always done at hospitals or birthing centres where a C-section can be done if in case the assisted delivery with forceps fails.

You can even be recommended a forceps delivery if:

• Despite you pushing hard during labor, it doesn’t progress: If it’s your first delivery and despite pushing for two to three hours, the labor sees no progress, it’s considered as stalled. However, if you have experienced child birth before then labor would only be considered stalled when you have pushed for 1-2 hours.
   
• There is some problem with baby’s heartbeat: If at all your doctor observes changes in your baby’s heartbeat, and there arises a need for immediate delivery; he or she will suggest for a forceps delivery.
   
• Your health is at risk: In case of some medical condition like narrowing of your heart's aortic valve, your doctor would suggest forceps delivery as pushing for long won’t be good for your health.
   
• Baby’s head faces wrong direction: There will be a need for forceps delivery if baby's head faces up (occiput posterior position) instead of down (occiput anterior position).

What happens during the process?

You are made to lie on your back, faintly inclined, with legs spread apart. You may be required to get hold of the handles on each side of delivery table so as to brace yourself during pushing.

At the time of contractions, the doctor will place 2 or more fingers inside your vagina and close to your baby's head. Then he or she will gently slide one tong amid his or her hand and the baby's head, while place other tong on other side of baby's head. The tongs will thus be locked mutually to hold baby's head.

In between contractions, as you will push, doctor will make use of forceps to guide baby into the birth canal. If the head faces up, forceps will be used to rotate baby’s head between the contractions.

If it’s not possible to grasp the baby with forceps, a cup attached to vacuum pump can also be used or a C-section is done without any delay.

Forceps Delivery: Risks a mother faces

• Pain in perineum; tissue between vagina and anus
• Tears and wounds in lower genital tract
• Trouble in urination 
• Injuries to bladder or urethra 
• Uterine rupture 
• Dwindling of muscles and ligaments that support your pelvic organs. It can cause your pelvic organs to slip out of place, commonly known as pelvic organ prolapsed.

Forceps Delivery: Risks a baby faces

• Minor facial injuries owing to forceps pressure
• Temporary weakness in facial muscles, known as facial palsy
• Skull fracture
• Bleeding in the skull
• Seizures

Note: These risks are very rare and the baby is likely to face only minor problems like temporary marks on face.