Some historical sources claim that the use of hemostatic forceps to assist in the delivery of a baby has been around since the year 1500 BC. They were utilized more frequently to save the life of the mother in the event that the newborn did not make it through the birthing process. About the year 1600 A.D., the usage of what we now refer to as “modern forceps” began to become more widespread. Since then, over 500 distinct forms and designs of forceps have been developed and made available for use throughout the delivery process. Around the beginning of the 20th century, it was normal practice to deliver babies with forceps.
This was due in large part to the widespread practice of excessively medicating laboring women at that time. Even as late as the 1970s, the use of forceps was still extremely prevalent. This was mostly due to the fact that studies indicated that labor lasting longer than two hours significantly increased the likelihood of a life-threatening delivery complication.
History of Hemostatic Forceps During Childbirth
However, in more recent times, the use of Hemostatic Forceps has become significantly less common, accounting for less than 1% of all deliveries. Recent research suggests that the risk of maternal death does not necessarily rise with longer durations of labor as long as adequate fetal monitoring is carried out during the entire process. As a consequence of this, prolonged labor is seen to be less of a medical emergency, and as a consequence, the use of forceps is less of a need in the hospitals of today.
The greater availability of cesarean sections is the other factor contributing to the reduction in the usage of forceps, which has been observed in recent years (C-Section). In the past, Caesarean sections were viewed as a very last resort and were deemed dangerous because of the increased risk of infection and injury. Nevertheless, in recent times, thanks to improvements in antibiotic options and surgical methods, C-sections have become much more prevalent.
Design of the Forceps
Although hundreds of different Hemostatic Forceps designs have come and gone over the years (such as Simpson forceps, Elliot forceps, Wrigley forceps, and Piper forceps), the fundamental purpose of this tool is to assist in the delivery of the baby by grasping the baby’s head while attempting to apply as little pressure as possible. This concept has remained the same even though hundreds of different forceps designs have come and gone over the years. The following are the four primary components of a forceps:
- The Handles are the areas of the device that the physician grips in order to exert pressure and gain traction on the baby’s head.
- The Shanks: These are the pieces that link the blades to the handles, and they can either be straight or crossed.
- The Blades are the portion of the forceps that are responsible for securing a hold on the baby’s head. Every one of the blades is curled in such a way that it can wrap around the head. These blades can have an oval or elliptical shape, and their centers can either be solid or have a hole in it.
- The Lock is the component of the shanks that is located between the two shanks and is responsible for allowing the shanks to open and close.
In the present day, hemostatic forceps are developed for particular applications, and it is not uncommon for hospitals to have more than five distinct types of forceps accessible for use in case of an emergency. For instance, Kielland forceps are widely used when the head of the infant needs to be turned. These forceps have a mechanism that helps align the baby’s head, so they are an excellent choice for this procedure.
Accidents Involving Forceps and Cases of Medical Negligence
The use of hemostatic forceps to deliver babies was historically popular, but these days it’s far less common. Because of this, a lot of doctors just don’t have as much experience, training, or education when it comes to using forceps. In the wrong medical hands, this instrument might pose a significant risk to patients.
When hemostatic forceps are not used properly, the mother runs the risk of sustaining irreversible injuries to her urethra, bladder, genitals, or the muscles and ligaments that are located in the surrounding area. The potential for harm to the baby, however, poses the biggest threat when it comes to malpractice involving forceps. When forceps are used improperly, there is a real and serious risk of causing injuries such as fractures to the skull, injury to the spinal cord, and even damage to the brain.
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