Sometimes an unplanned caesarean section, forceps or ventouse (vacuum) extraction is used to help your baby be born.
It’s very common to need an assisted delivery. These can be life-saving measures and are used to keep you and your baby safe.
There are a number of reasons for the delivery team to intervene and assist in your baby’s delivery. Some are concerns about you and some are concerns for your baby.
The delivery team will intervene if:
The delivery team will intervene if:
More about how your baby lies in the womb
There are 3 main ways your baby can be born with assistance:
Ventouse isn’t used if you’re less than 34 weeks pregnant as the baby’s head is too soft.
Forceps and ventouse are instruments used to:
If you need a forceps or ventouse delivery:
Your obstetrician will recommend one or another and explain why.
During a forceps delivery:
After the birth your baby may sometimes have some bruising on each side of their head where the forceps have been. This will disappear over the next few days.
During a ventouse delivery:
Ventouse extraction can cause swelling (sometimes called a chignon) on your baby’s head. This isn’t permanent and will disappear over the next few days.
While ventouse is less likely to cause a tear in your vagina than forceps, it’s less safe for your baby.
In a caesarean section your baby will be born during an operation. Your obstetrician will make a cut in your abdomen and womb to deliver your baby.
Having a caesarean section in one pregnancy doesn’t mean you have to have one again in future pregnancies. For most women a vaginal delivery would be an option in any later pregnancies.
Understanding why you needed a caesarean section can help you put the experience in perspective. Talk about your feelings with your midwife and other mothers who have had caesarean births.
More about having a caesarean section
It’s a good idea to make a birth plan while you’re pregnant, which sets out your choices and what you would like to happen during the birth.
Your birth plans can include choices you may be asked to make if your baby needs help or urgent help to be born.
More about making a birth plan
Sometimes women feel disappointed if they’ve had an assisted delivery. You may feel you’ve missed out on something or be feeling guilty because you didn’t manage to give birth without assistance. There’s no need to feel guilty. The important thing is you and your baby are safe and well.
Translations and alternative formats of this information are available from Public Health Scotland.
If you need a different language or format, please contact phs.otherformats@phs.scot.
Last updated:
3 November 2023