During delivery, the baby may not come out fast enough. In this case, the obstetrician-gynecologist may decide to use instruments to facilitate and accelerate the expulsion, such as an obstetric vacuum cup.
Childbirth is the last stage of a pregnancy (and the happiest day of their lives, for many moms). For nine months, you excitedly awaited the arrival of your baby. But if the joy of this first meeting is very present, it is also possible that certain fears arise regarding childbirth. Rest assured, this is a common occurrence with expectant mothers. Even more so if this is your first child: you've never lived it before and you are stepping into the unknown. If this is your second or third child, it is also normal to apprehend this moment. After all, while you will be more confident on D-Day, every childbirth is different.
One of the easiest ways to be reassured while waiting for the big day is to educate yourself. The more prepared you are for this event, the better you will be able to cope with the moment. This is also the point of the childbirth preparation classes. So if you have any questions, never hesitate to ask your midwife, doctor or gynecologist for answers. These latter will be able to reassure you and allay some of your fears.
Unfortunately, even the pregnancy went very well, we are never safe from some complications during childbirth. The expulsion can be trying and exhausting for both mother and baby. If the child has had difficulty getting out, the healthcare professional may decide to speed up the expulsion with instruments such as suction cups, forceps or spatulas. This is an instrumental vaginal delivery and it helps reduce the risk of a cesarean section. On average, it is estimated that 12.2% of births require the use of instruments, according to the 2016 national perinatal survey, drawn up by INSERM and DREES (Ministry of Solidarity and Health). In the majority of cases, obstetrician-gynecologists opt for the obstetric suction cup (49.8% against 27.6% for forceps and 22.6% for spatulas). We take stock of this method of assisted delivery.
See also in video: Assisted delivery: the suction cup, how does it work?
What is an obstetric vacuum cup?
Rest assured, the suction cups used during childbirth are still more elaborate than those available at home. The instrument consists of a small silicone cup (approximately 5 cm), connected to a hose which is itself attached to a pump. The suction cup system is very different from that of forceps and spatulas. These instruments come in the form of two large metal or plastic spoons, connected or not.
The suction cup accompanies the mother during the expulsion. The cup is placed on the baby's skull between two contractions (it holds thanks to the pump and the suction system) and the doctor gently pulls through the tube as the mother pushes. This allows the child to come out more quickly by exerting additional traction. But also prevents the baby from going up when the mother is at rest. The suction cup also allows the newborn's head to be better oriented, to facilitate delivery.
During a premature delivery, the obstetrician-gynecologist will instead opt for forceps. Indeed, the use of the suction cup is not recommended, because the pressure can damage the still very flexible baby's skull. Suction cups are therefore primarily used for term deliveries.
Read also: How is a childbirth?
When do you use suction cups?
The choice to use suction cups during childbirth is up to the obstetrician-gynecologist. Several cases may require the use of instruments:
- The child does not descend despite mother's efforts to push or it is a big baby.
- Fetal distress with the newborn baby's heartbeat slowing or speeding up or stained amniotic fluid. These complications are often caused by compressions of the umbilical cord (wrapped around the head of the fetus or blocked between the head and the maternal pelvis) or difficulty in passing from the head to the pelvis.
- Mother's exhaustion: if the expulsion endangers her health and takes too much effort.
- The mother's health is a medical cause: if she suffers from high blood pressure, eclampsia, heart problems, respiratory failure or has ever suffered from retinal detachment, for example.
Note that suction cups are used after labor at the end of childbirth: the water bag is ruptured, the dilation of the cervix is complete and the baby's head is already engaged in the pelvis. Throughout the duration of the vaginal instrumental delivery, the mother must remain active. His / her partner can stay in the delivery room. However, she is recommended to stay with the mother to support her, rather than coming to see how it goes. A childbirth that requires the use of instruments (suction cups, forceps or spatulas) can be overwhelming. But we reassure you, your child is not in pain and does not feel pain. The extraction takes place slowly. The tensile force of the suction cups is also less than that of the forceps. This procedure does not require the administration of painkillers, unlike forceps.
For a long time, some specialists thought that the epidural could involve the use of instruments. We now know that epidurals are weaker and that the same can still grow.
Read also: Detachment of membranes, a technique to induce labor and childbirth
What are the consequences for the mother and the baby?
The birth of a child is a magical event, and pregnant women often dread the use of instruments during childbirth. They fear in particular a tear and pain in the perineum (tissue between the vagina and the anus). Be aware that this can happen with suction cups, but the risk of getting lesions is less than when using forceps. Obstetricians and gynecologists are also less likely to use episiotomy with suction cups. Remember, however, that every body and every childbirth is different.
On the child's side, the suction cup may cause a small bump on your child's head, more commonly known as a "little bun." This is a serosanguinous lump (a subcutaneous swelling formed by an effusion of serum and blood in the scalp of the newborn) that will go away within a few days. A hematoma can also form on your newborn baby's head. It will also go away after a few weeks. So you don't have to worry if you notice a small lump or bruise on your cherub's skull. If something really alerts you, never hesitate to ask the maternity or hospital staff.