Forceps or Vacuum??

[pixiesmommy]

I'm working on my birth plan- my appt with my doula to review it is next week and then she is going with me to my MW appt to review it there as well.

In trying to include everything, I wondered if I should put a preference for vacuum extraction vs. forceps extraction. I don't want either, obviously, but if I *HAVE* to have one, which is best and why?

Help!

[sorteep]

I don't know if htere is a "best" here... BUTTT my OB (whom I did leave but not BC him personally, he is wonderful) gave me this "advice" with last child... if you have a great OB and really trust them let THEM decide and use what they are best/ comfortable with.. he was a forceps man and explained why (can't remember details but it was more about how HE handles forceps and his personal experience with them rather that the forceps themselves) sooooo maybe have some conversation with the potential del OB ???

if given all things equal and the OB is very experienced with both I might opt for vacuum because they don't need as much "room" and might be able to avoid a big episiotomy... not sure, this was jsut my exp (I never had either used on me tho so I ma prob not a great person to give advice!!)

[maisiedotes]

My OB told me they don't do forceps extractions at the hospital I am going to so it isn't an option either way for me... it is possible your MW may do one and not the other.

I am no help!!!

[Da WIC Lady]

My brother and I were forceps babies... Not sure about all that though. Don't want to bruise baby's face, but don't want an odd lump on the side of the head either. I know of kids who still have the vacuum bump as toddlers... I know I'm being shallow on the appearances thing, but what was good enough for me didn't deform me either...

Anna

[AimeeandBrian]

In Bradley class they said that whatever the doctor is more comfortable with is your best bet, since some doctors only know how to use one or the other.

[Ackray]

My hospital doesn't use forceps.

[myjulybabes]

I think I'd go with whatever the attendant is most comfortable with. Both have risks, which I imagine can only be increased when performed by someone who's not sure of themselves with the technique. If they were ok with both, I think I'd lean towards forceps though. It just "feels" safer to me somehow, to grab ahold of the whole head instead of just that one vacuumed spot. I'm just speculating there though, I don't really have data to back that up!

[Valerieg]

ITA with the PPs...and I'd likely leave it off entirely if you don't have a preference.

Personally...I think of the birth plan as a way to state your preferences. If it isn't something you are worried about or even have thought about you probably shouldn't include it.

Discuss it with your doula as she probably knows a lot more than most of us. But I'd leave it to the delivering person.

[Momma Aimee]

i think it is fine to include a preference

but

a lot is going to depend ont he provider (not MW) who does it and what they are most confortable with ... as well as the "issue".

I just want to put something out saying don't be afraid of forcepts ... i know a lot of moms who will go on and on about they'd rather have a vacume than forcepts and the "bad" of forcepts ....... we had a perfect forcept birth. Yes, babies born with forcept help CAN have brusing or red marks or wahtever, so can vacume babies for that matter, but they don't ALWAYS have to -- it comes down to the lay of the baby, the size of the baby, and which way the wind was blowing : .

Theo was a samll baby -- 5 pound 9 oz at birth, and we had him with forcepts after 3 hours of pushing ... he didn't have a mark on him. I "pushed" him out while the OB guided with the forcepts and kept him from "floating back" after each push. No yanking, as we were lucky not to be in a situation with heartrate concerns. NO MARKES. no one even believed he was a forcept birth.

But I think it needs to be a call made at the time, by the person doing it.

Note: if you do have forcepts or a vaume -- Eprdual if you are not ina time crunch emergency Trust me. I had a 4th degree tear to get out a 5 pound 9 oz baby cuz of the forcepts. Epdural is the way to go if you need something like that. You need it, so that you can recover better, and be in better shape immeadtly pp to hold and bond and nurse ....

AImee