Why are obstetrical forceps used in delivery?
Obstetrical forceps are used or preferred when rapid delivery is necessary in an emergency. And since they are fairly smooth and gentle when used at the lowest possible descent point of the baby’s head , it helps in shortening the end of an exhausting labor. Proper placement of the forceps provides a halo of metal around the baby’s skull thereby protecting it. The force is fully applied at the cheek bones. In this way, when the head descends, the brain of the baby is not subjected to the compression-decompression forces that the vaginal sidewalls exert against it. All of the force is spread over the metal halo of the forceps. So it is obvious that doctors want forceps on all natural deliveries.
