Obstetrical Forceps
Obstetrical forceps, also known as brain forceps have long been in use in
the medical profession . Obstetrical forceps are used to help in fetal
delivery by allowing the doctor to adjust the position of the unborn child's
head during delivery. These forceps also allow the doctor to apply traction
to the unborn child's head to help in the birthing process. In other words,
brain forceps are widely used forceps to aid in the vaginal delivery of a
baby. They are smoothly shaped and curved forceps having two blades and a
handle designed to hold and pull the baby properly without causing any
damage.
Materials
All forceps are constructed of stainless steel or similarly rigid material.
Though there are many different kinds of obstetrical forceps, the most
commonly used ones are thin metal curving into a ring at its tip. This tip
fastens the baby's head to protect from damage during the delivery. However,
at times, they are capable of applying forces to the unborn child's head
which the head cannot tolerate. To avoid such problems, nowadays,
obstetrical or brain forceps are also made from a flexible material,
preferably a low residue polyurethane elastomer, to facilitate safe delivery
of a fetus.
Safety of obstetrical forceps
use of these forceps is as safe /dangerous as any other surgical tool or
drug. Used incorrectly, these forceps can cause serious harm and when used
correctly, they help in providing a gentler and smoother delivery for a
baby's head than no forceps at all. They are always recommended for use for
saving babies' lives, when delivery is prudent during fetal distress.
Why are obstetrical forceps used in delivery?
Obstetrical forceps are used or preferred when rapid delivery is necessary
in an emergency. And since they are fairly smooth and gentle when used at
the lowest possible descent point of the baby's head , it helps in
shortening the end of an exhausting labor. Proper placement of the forceps
provides a halo of metal around the baby's skull thereby protecting it. The
force is fully applied at the cheek bones. In this way, when the head
descends, the brain of the baby is not subjected to the
compression-decompression forces that the vaginal sidewalls exert against
it. All of the force is spread over the metal halo of the forceps. So it is
obvious that doctors want forceps on all natural deliveries.
