Operative vaginal delivery

Question 1

What % of births involve operative vaginal delivery?

Answer 1

10-13%

Question 2

Indications for operative vaginal delivery

Answer 2

• Foetal distress
• Maternal distress
• Failure to progress
• Control of head if breech
• Pushing not possible: para/ tetraplegic

Question 3

Complications of operative vaginal delivery

Answer 3

Forceps: increased risk of maternal trauma

Ventouse: foetal facial injury, scalp lacerations, cephalohaematoma, retinal haemorrhage

Question 4

Ventouse vs forceps

Answer 4

Ventouse: more likely to fail, more likely to cause foetal trauma, not to be used <34 weeks

Forceps: more likely to cause maternal trauma

Question 5

Risk factors for operative vaginal delivery

Answer 5

BMI >30

Macrosomia

OP position