[45] Operative Vaginal Delivery Flashcards
What is operative vaginal delivery?
The use of an instrument to aid the delivery of the fetus
What % of deliveries in the UK are operative?
12-13%
What are the two main types of instruments used in operative vaginal delivery?
- Ventouse
- Forceps
Which instrument is most likely to succeed in delivering the baby vaginally?
The one that is used first - the one used second is less likely to deliver regardless which is used first
Which instrument has a lower risk of fetal complications?
Forceps
Which instrument has a lower risk of maternal complications?
Ventouse
When should an attempt to deliver with an instrument be abandoned?
After 3 contractions and pulls and no reasonable progress
What is a ventouse?
An instrument that attaches a cup to the fetal head via a vacuum
What are the most common types of ventouse?
- Electrical pump attached to a silastic cup
- Hand-held, disposable device commonly known as the Kiwi
When is an electrical pump ventouse suitable?
Only if the fetus is in an occipital-anterior position
When is a kiwi ventouse suitable? 🥝
All fetal positions and rotational deliveries
How is the ventouse used?
Cup is applied with centre over the flexion point of the fetal skull. Traction is applied perpendicular to the cup during contractions
What is the flexion point of the fetal skull?
In the midline 3cm anterior to the posterior fontanelle
What are the advantages of ventouse delivery?
- Less maternal perineal injuries
- Less pain
What are the disadvantages of ventouse delivery?
- Lower success rate
- More cephalohaematoma
- More subgaleal haematoma
- More fetal retinal haemorrhage
What are forceps (obstetrics)?
Double bladed instrument that comes in different types for different scenarios
What scenarios may require different forceps for delivery?
- OA positions
- C-section
- Rotational delivery
How are forceps used to deliver?
Introduced into the pelvis taking care not to cause trauma to maternal tissues and applied to fetal head with blades locked together. Gentle traction applied during contractions
What angle is used when applying traction to forceps?
Following the J shape of the maternal pelvis