Vacuum assisted delivery experiences

[Anonymous]

I have a medical condition that will prevent me from doing much pushing during labor. At the recommendation of my OB, midwife, and high risk specialist (so many cooks in the kitchen) my birth plan is an epidural that allows the baby to "labor down" as far as possible, followed by 15-20 minutes of pushing tops, and then a vacuum assist to help get the baby out if necessary. Of course if any of these steps don't go according to planned, I'll likely end up with a c-section which I desperately do not want unless absolutely necessary.

I have accepted this as my best option for a vaginal birth, but now I'm seeing on another thread that a few people would have preferred a CS over the vacuum. My doctors make it sound harmless! What's the issue with the vacuum? If you had to have it previously, would you do it again if that was your only option for a vaginal delivery?

TIA for the advice!

[Anonymous]

I have four kids. Baby number one got stuck too far down for an emergency c and they used a vacuum. Lots of tearing, ginormous episiotomy. Scary. Not fun. Needless to say, my next three were delivered by scheduled c sections.

If a vacuum fails, they'll move onto forceps. Ask them about those risks.

I'd opt for a section.

[Anonymous]

Vacuum got ds out just fine. He was twisted a bit funny and stuck on what they called a ledge. Actually, by the time I got to pushing baby's heart rate kept dropping. In all honesty, they pulled him out of me, and I couldn't have been happier. He was fine. He did have some bruising that cleared up pretty quick. I would do it again if needed.

[Anonymous]

I did not enjoy the vaccuum experience, neither did the gash on my child's head (a piece of skin got ripped off.) If I am ever in the position to chose, I'd go directly to c-section.

[Anonymous]

For my 1st they used a vacuum, too. 2.5 hrs of push and the baby was stuck behind pelvis. She got stuck again once her head was out and the nurses broke my tailbone from pushing on my stomach to get her out. Much rather a c section. They used the vacuum a number of times

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty "anti" csection in most cases, but
i think in your case I would opt for it.

[Anonymous]

I'd opt for the c-section as well. I had a forcep delivery with my first. It was very, very bad. I also had a c-section that was much easier. I'm going with a VBAC this time, but if it looks like it did the first time, I'd much rather have a repeat c-section than the forceps again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did not enjoy the vaccuum experience, neither did the gash on my child's head (a piece of skin got ripped off.) If I am ever in the position to chose, I'd go directly to c-section.

Or forceps if your doctor is trained to use them. My baby was so far down that I would've needed reconstructive surgery on my vagina (OBs words) if they'd had to push the baby back up for a c-section.

[Anonymous]

My kid got a skull fracture from it.

[Anonymous]

I heard some horror story about vacuuming. The risk is too high!

[Anonymous]

My second was a VBAC. I asked about the risk of the vacuum, to which my midwife said there's very little or even none. I told her this was my biggest fear about having a vbac. Lo and behold, baby was in distress and had to be vacuum extracted. It was not horrible, but I think she was almost out anyways and the OB and midwife wanted to be sure she got out on that push.

Good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

When is that plastic bag invention coming to the States? It seems tailor made for a case like this.

[Anonymous]

Are you a first time mom? If so, I don't know that 15-20 min of pushing will allow you enough time to get the baby low enough for effective vacuuming.

Honestly I am totally anti-section and like the PPs, I would opt for a section in your case.

[Anonymous]

I had a vacuum assisted birth and it was no big deal. Much appreciated, actually. After 2.5 hours of pushing, I was exhausted and needed help to finish. Needed an episiotomy, that healed quickly. DD had a little scab on her head, that healed quickly. Much better than a CS, IMO. Quicker recovery and no abdominal scar.

[Anonymous]

OP here, yikes! Clearly I have a lot more research to do. I have a dr appointment on Thurs so I want to be prepared to discuss this.

PP- I am a FTM. According to the doctors, my contractions should naturally push the baby low enough so that I don't have to spend too much time pushing. It sounded a little strange to me too, but all three had the same suggestion, so it seemed like a common solution to me.