<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Background</h3>
<p>Nowadays, we are witnessing a decrease of vaginal instrumental deliveries and continuous increase of caesarean section rate. However, proper identification of possibility of execution, indications for instrumental delivery and their skilful use may improve the broadly understood maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study is to present prevalence, risk factors, indications and outcomes of forceps deliveries among the patients at Department of Perinatology, Lodz.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Material and methods</h3>
<p>A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Perinatology, Medical University of Lodz. The study included forceps deliveries carried out between January 2019 and December 2022. Total number of 147 cases were analysed in terms of indications for forceps delivery and maternal and neonatal outcomes such as vaginal – or cervical – laceration, postpartum haemorrhage, perineal tear, newborn injuries, Apgar score, umbilical cord blood gas analysis, NICU admission and cranial ultrasound scans.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Results</h3>
<p>The prevalence of forceps delivery was 2.2%. The most common indication for forceps delivery was foetal distress (81.6%). Among mothers, the most frequent complication was vaginal laceration (40.1%). Third-and fourth-degree perineal tears were not noted. Regarding neonatal outcomes, Apgar score ≥ 8 after 1st and 5th minute of life received accordingly 91.2% and 98% of newborns. Only 8.8% experienced severe birth injuries (subperiosteal haematoma, clavicle fracture).</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Conclusions</h3>
<p>Although foetal distress is the most common indication for forceps delivery, the vast majority of newborns were born in good condition and did not require admission to NICU. Taking into consideration high efficacy and low risk of neonatal and maternal complications, forceps should remain in modern obstetrics.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Background
Nowadays, we are witnessing a decrease of vaginal instrumental deliveries and continuous increase of caesarean section rate. However, proper identification of possibility of execution, indications for instrumental delivery and their skilful use may improve the broadly understood maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study is to present prevalence, risk factors, indications and outcomes of forceps deliveries among the patients at Department of Perinatology, Lodz.

Material and methods
A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Perinatology, Medical University of Lodz. The study included forceps deliveries carried out between January 2019 and December 2022. Total number of 147 cases were analysed in terms of indications for forceps delivery and maternal and neonatal outcomes such as vaginal – or cervical – laceration, postpartum haemorrhage, perineal tear, newborn injuries, Apgar score, umbilical cord blood gas analysis, NICU admission and cranial ultrasound scans.

Results
The prevalence of forceps delivery was 2.2%. The most common indication for forceps delivery was foetal distress (81.6%). Among mothers, the most frequent complication was vaginal laceration (40.1%). Third-and fourth-degree perineal tears were not noted. Regarding neonatal outcomes, Apgar score ≥ 8 after 1st and 5th minute of life received accordingly 91.2% and 98% of newborns. Only 8.8% experienced severe birth injuries (subperiosteal haematoma, clavicle fracture).

Conclusions
Although foetal distress is the most common indication for forceps delivery, the vast majority of newborns were born in good condition and did not require admission to NICU. Taking into consideration high efficacy and low risk of neonatal and maternal complications, forceps should remain in modern obstetrics.

Is There Still a Place for Forceps Delivery in Modern Obstetrics?

Department of Neonatology and Intensive Neonatal Care

Journal of Mother and Child

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Is There Still a Place for Forceps Delivery in Modern Obstetrics?"}

Background
Nowadays, we are witnessing a decrease of vaginal instrumental deliveries and continuous increase of caesarean section rate. However, proper...

Maternal compications	Number of patients (n)	Percentage (%)
Vaginal laceration	59	40.1%
Cervical laceration	24	16.3%
Postpartum haemorrhage	21	14.3%
Additional perineal tear	4	2.7%
Vulvovaginal haematoma	2	1.4%
Pubic symphysis separation	2	1.4%

Umbilical artery pH	Number of patients (n)	Percentage (%)
< 7.0	5	4.3
7.0–7.099	20	17.1
7.1–7.199	51	43.6
≥ 7.2	41	35.0

Cranial ultrasound scans results	Number of patents (n)	Percent (%)
Normal	122	83.9
Subperiosteal haematoma	8	5.6
Single cystis of the choroid plexus	5	3.5
State after the 1° IVH	3	2.1
Increased echogenicity (brain parenchyma)	7	4.9

Comorbidity	Number of patients (n)	Percent (%)
Overweight (BMI = 25,0–29,9)	80	54.4%
Obesity (BMI ≥ 30)	36	24.5%
Diabetes	21	14.3%
Hypertension	21	14.3%

Is There Still a Place for Forceps Delivery in Modern Obstetrics?

Article Category: Review

Pubblicato online: 03 nov 2023

Pagine: 176 - 181

Ricevuto: 13 giu 2023

Accettato: 15 set 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00057

Parole chiave
obstetric forceps, operative vaginal delivery, maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes

© 2023 Katarzyna Zając et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Graph 1.

Graph 2.

Maternal complications after forceps delivery.

Results of umbilical artery pH and BE of newborns after forceps delivery.

Cranial ultrasound scans results of newborns after forceps delivery.

Comorbidities in analysed group.

Is There Still a Place for Forceps Delivery in Modern Obstetrics?

Article Category: Review

Pubblicato online: 03 nov 2023

Pagine: 176 - 181

Ricevuto: 13 giu 2023

Accettato: 15 set 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00057

Parole chiaveobstetric forceps, operative vaginal delivery, maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes

© 2023 Katarzyna Zając et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Graph 1.

Graph 2.

Maternal complications after forceps delivery.

Results of umbilical artery pH and BE of newborns after forceps delivery.

Cranial ultrasound scans results of newborns after forceps delivery.

Comorbidities in analysed group.

Parole chiave
obstetric forceps, operative vaginal delivery, maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes