ABSTRACT

A vaginal delivery accomplished using either forceps or vacuum is termed as operative vaginal delivery. The aim of this study is to compare indications of maternal and neonatal outcomes between operative vaginal deliveries using forceps (the forceps group) and vacuum (the vacuum group) at our tertiary institute.

This is a retrospective observational study on operative vaginal deliveries performed between January 2016 and December 2016 at a tertiary hospital in Istanbul. All patients who underwent instrumental vaginal delivery were compared in terms of demographic data, indications, and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

The incidence of operative vaginal delivery was 1.4% of all deliveries. Most patients were primigravida. The most common indication was fetal distress in the vacuum group and prolonged second-stage labor in the forceps group. There was no significant difference in terms of maternal and neonatal morbidities, except for fetal blood pH level. Fetal blood pH level was significantly lower in the vacuum group than in the forceps group.

Risks and benefits of both instruments must be individualized, and operative vaginal deliveries should be performed only if considered a safe alternative. The choice of instrument depends on the operator’s skills and training.

Keywords: Forceps, vacuum, operative vaginal delivery