Re:What is a vacuum assisted birth?
A vacuum assisted birth is one in which a device is used to help pull the baby out when it is stuck in the birth canal. A vacuum extractor is used much more frequently than forceps as it is easier to use and causes less major trauma to the mom and the baby. In order to use the vacuum extractor, the baby’s head must be close to coming out but not able to get under the pelvic bone that is blocking the way.
A soft silicone cup attached to a handle is inserted into the vagina and is worked around so it is stuck just to the baby’s head and not to surrounding tissue. The vacuum extractor is used with a vacuum device that is pumped up at the time of the pushing to a certain pressure that makes the extractor stuck onto the baby’s head.
The doctor then pulls down and out, hopefully pulling the baby’s head out with the extractor. Sometimes the suction is lost and the vacuum extractor is pulled out but the baby’s head stays where it is. This is one of the greatest limitations of the vacuum extraction technique. If the head is really stuck, the vacuum will be lost before it can pull the baby out.
Vacuum extractors are not without risk, as they can cause lacerations to the mother’s vagina and perineum and can cause a hematoma or blood clot (a cephalhematoma) on the baby’s head. This is not dangerous but it can be unsightly and it can cause jaundice in the early part of the child’s life as the blood in the hematoma is broken down by the baby’s body.
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