Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Assisted vaginal delivery (antenatal use)

4-minute read

What is an assisted vaginal delivery?

An assisted vaginal delivery involves using a ventouse (vacuum cup) or forceps (like large tongs) to guide your baby as you push with your contractions.

Why may I need an assisted vaginal delivery?

  • You have been pushing for too long.
  • You may have run out of energy to deliver your baby safely.
  • Your baby’s heart rate may be going above or below normal levels or they may not be getting enough oxygen.

Sometimes, if you have high blood pressure, your obstetrician may recommend an assisted vaginal delivery if the second stage of labour goes beyond a certain time and your blood pressure goes higher.

Are there any alternatives to an assisted vaginal delivery?

You can continue pushing and try to deliver your baby without a ventouse or forceps.

Another option is to have a caesarean section (procedure to deliver a baby by a surgical operation).

What does an assisted vaginal delivery involve?

If you are already having an epidural and there is enough time, you will be given more anaesthetic through the epidural. Otherwise, local anaesthetic may be injected either into the skin at the opening of your vagina or through your vagina.

Your legs will be put in ‘stirrups’.

Forceps delivery

Your obstetrician will place metal forceps either side of your baby’s head. When the forceps are in position, your obstetrician will hold them together.

They will pull gently as you push with your contractions to guide your baby’s head out. This can take several pulls and usually involves an episiotomy (a cut on the skin between your vagina and back passage) to help reduce the risk of you getting a severe tear.

Illustration showing a forceps delivery.
A forceps delivery.

Ventouse delivery

Your obstetrician will place the ventouse cup onto your baby’s head.

Your obstetrician will guide your baby out, as you push with your contractions. This can take several pulls and you may need an episiotomy.

Once your baby’s head is delivered, your obstetrician will remove the forceps or ventouse from your baby’s head and your baby will be delivered onto your abdomen.

What complications can happen?

  • pain
  • bleeding
  • tears
  • damage to your back passage
  • healing problems
  • difficulty passing urine
  • infection
  • allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication
  • marks and bruises on your baby
  • shoulder dystocia, where your baby's shoulders get stuck for a short while on the way out
  • your baby having jaundice (the eyes and skin turning yellow)
  • failure to deliver your baby vaginally
  • venous thromboembolism

How soon will I recover?

You will be able to go home when you can walk around without any help and are able to care for your baby.

The healthcare team will tell you when you can return to normal activities.

Regular exercise should improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

You should make a full recovery. An assisted vaginal delivery should not affect your ability to become pregnant or deliver a baby in the future.

Summary

An assisted vaginal delivery is a common procedure and is usually a safe method of delivery for you and your baby.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The operation and treatment information on this page is published under license by Healthdirect Australia from EIDO Healthcare Australia and is protected by copyright laws. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any of the information. The information should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you. Medical Illustration Copyright © Medical-Artist.com.

For more on how this information was prepared, click here.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: September 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Assisted Birth

Most babies are born without any need for assistance, but there are times when assistance may be required for the safety of mother or baby.

Read more on RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website

Developing a birth plan - Better Health Channel

A birth plan is a written summary of your preferences for when you are in labour and giving birth.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Maternity services in rural Tasmania

Find out what maternity services are available in rural or remote Tasmania and how to get care and support during your pregnancy, labour and birth.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Assisted delivery (forceps or ventouse)

Find out about assisted delivery, sometimes called an 'instrumental delivery' — when forceps or a vacuum device are used to help you give birth.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Assisted birth – forceps birth | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government

Read more on Queensland Health website

When birth doesn't go to plan

Unfortunately, not everything goes to plan during birth. Sometimes your maternity team may need to intervene to assist in the delivery of your baby.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Birth: vaginal birth and caesarean birth | Raising Children Network

Here’s everything you need to know about vaginal birth and caesarean birth, so you can compare their benefits and problems and make an informed choice.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Twins - identical and fraternal - Better Health Channel

Multiple births are more common due to the advancing average age of mothers and the rise in assisted reproductive techniques.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Birth injury (to the baby)

Giving birth in Australia is very safe, but sometimes during birth, the baby suffers an injury. Learn about birth injury causes, types and treatments.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Labour and Birth

While every labour is unique and unpredictable, two signs that labour has started are contractions becoming longer, stronger and closer together and the rupture of membranes (‘waters breaking’).

Read more on RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.