Operative Obstetrics. Birth Trauma.

Question 1

What are the four categories of forceps?

Answer 1

1. French (Levret’s);
2. English (Simpson’s);
3. German (Naegele’s);
4. Russian (Lazarevich’s).

Question 2

Describe the structure of a pair of forceps.

Answer 2

All forceps consist of a: 
Handle; 
Lock; 
Shanks;
Blades.
N.B: Shanks can also be overlapping or parallel.

Question 3

Describe the specific structure of the blades of forceps.

Answer 3

The part nearest the shank is the heel and the part most distal from the shank is known as the toe.

Blades can either be closed, fenestrated or psuedo-fenestrated.

Blades have two aspects, the cephalic curvature that corresponds to the head and the pelvic curvature that corresponds to the internal pelvic curve.

Question 4

What are the indications for using forceps from the perspective of the birthing parent?

Answer 4

Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia (severe late gestoses); extra-genital pathologies that require shortening of the 2nd period of labour; delivery endometriosis; primary / secondary uterine inertia; acute infectious disease of the mother; premature detachment of the placenta.

Question 5

What is the main indication for using forceps from the perspective of the fetus?

Answer 5

Fetal distress.

Question 6

What are the conditions for the application of the forceps?

Answer 6

Evaluate the general condition of the parturient parent, fetus and course of delivery; full cervical dilation; correspondence between the dimensions of the fetal head and internal pelvic curvature; alive mature fetus; fetal head should be in the small pelvis and in the area of the pelvic outlet.

Question 7

What are the contraindications for the application of forceps?

Answer 7

Dead fetus; hydrocephaly; deflexion of the fetus’ head; incomplete cervical dilation; inadequacy of the fetal head and internal pelvic curvature.