Assisted birth and caesarean birth

Assisted birth – forceps birth

A doctor applies forceps, an instrument shaped like a pair of large spoons or ‘salad tongs’, to the baby's head to help guide the baby out of the birth canal. This is done during a contraction while you push.

Forceps birth and baby

What do I need to know?

• you may need an episiotomy
• if forceps birth fails, a caesarean birth might be needed.

Your baby may experience:

• minor marks on the face which are temporary
• minor facial injuries due to the pressure of the forceps
• temporary weakness in the facial muscles (facial palsy)
• minor external eye trauma.

Serious baby injuries after a forceps birth are rare but could include:

• skull fracture
• bleeding within the skull
• seizures.

More information:

• Queensland Clinical Guidelines parent information – Instrumental vaginal birth
• The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) – Assisted birth

In this guide:

1. Assisted birth – vacuum birth
2. Assisted birth – forceps birth
3. Caesarean birth
4. What can I expect for a caesarean birth?
5. Risks of caesarean birth

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