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How to avoid an assisted birth with either forceps or ventouse (suction) swipe right…
How to avoid an assisted birth with either forceps or ventouse (suction) swipe right for images from @rcobsgyn
Around 1 in 8 give birth with the assistance of either instrument. There are steps you can take to avoid needing help with birthing your baby. Why would you want to avoid an assisted birth? You're much more likely to have significant perineal trauma & pelvic floor issues. It's also not the most pleasant experience for the baby.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) agree that there are things that can be done to avoid it. They have the full fact sheet available to download from the website.
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Keep active. Being free to move during labour allows you find positions which best help you to cope during contractions. Your baby is able to find the best position to be in for birth, and gravity can help your baby descend when you are in an upright position.
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Avoid an epidural. It is well documented that they increase the risk of assisted births. If you do decide to have one, speak with the anaesthetist about having a lower dose one that allows you to move into different positions on the bed. Laying on the left is much better than being on your back.
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Continuous birth support by someone you trust. A midwife, doula or other birth partner that is able to support you with all of your birth choices will help massively.
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Why rush to push? This message is for birth workers too! If all is well with both mum and baby, why do we need to instruct them to start pushing just because the cervix is fully dilated? If there is no urge to push, there's either a strong epidural in place or the head has not descended into the pelvis far enough to trigger the bearing down reflex. Wait a little bit, change position and no doubt it will come!
Occasionally, despite doing all of this, help may still be needed to give birth. You should be able to decide how you would rather that be. All options, including caesarean can be discussed with the obstetrician at the time.
