An assisted birth is when forceps or a ventouse suction cup are used to help deliver the baby.
Forceps and ventouse are safe and only used when necessary for you and your baby. Assisted delivery is less common in women who have had a spontaneous vaginal birth before.
Assisted Birth
Forceps or Ventouse
Caesarean section
Caesarean section is an operation during which an obstetrician makes a cut through your abdomen and womb (uterus), to allow your baby to be born.
Since most caesareans are carried out with a local anaesthetic or epidural, you’ll be awake during the operation, so you’ll be aware of what’s going on around you. It’s less common to have a general anaesthetic for a caesarean. Around 10 per cent of all caesareans happen under general anaesthetic.
A caesarean is the most common type of major surgery that women have. In the UK, about one in four pregnant women has a baby by caesarean every year.
Since most caesareans are carried out with a local anaesthetic or epidural, you’ll be awake during the operation, so you’ll be aware of what’s going on around you. It’s less common to have a general anaesthetic for a caesarean. Around 10 per cent of all caesareans happen under general anaesthetic.
A caesarean is the most common type of major surgery that women have. In the UK, about one in four pregnant women has a baby by caesarean every year.
