Resources

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Vacuum-assisted Birth
By: Shy Wegiel

Caput succedaneum (swelling of the head) is a normal finding, but may be exaggerated by vacuum-assisted delivery. Caput succedaneum usually disappears in 3 to 5 days

Figure 7: Caput Succedaneum

Risks to Mother
Perineal, vaginal, or cervical lacerations (cuts to the vagina, cervix, and space between vagina and anus) Perineal pain Urinary and anal dysfunction, incontinence, fistula formation, and pelvic organ prolapse Soft-tissue hematoma (blood leaks around into surrounding tissue)

Figure 1: Vacuum-assisted birth

Figure 6: Perineal laceration

Different types of vacuums

One type is a self-contained unit, which allows the physician to both position the cup on the babys head and generate the desired amount of negative pressure to create a vacuum. In another type of vacuum, the physician applies the cup to the babys head, after which the nurse connects the suction tubing attached to the cup to wall suction or a separate hand pump, generate the amount of pressure requested by the physician.

Risks to newborn
Cephalhematoma (blood under the newborns skull) Scalp lacerations (cuts on head) Subdural hematoma (collection of blood under the surface of the brain) Fetal morbidity (infant death) Retinal hemorrhage (bleeding in eye) Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in brain) Facial nerve palsies (loss of facial movement)

What is a vacuumassisted birth?

Birth involving attachment of a vacuum cap to the fetal head (occiput) and application of negative pressure to assist in birth of the fetus. Vacuum extractors are generally not used before 34 weeks of gestation. There are both advantages and disadvantages surrounding the use of tools to assist the birthing process.

Figure 5: Subdural hematoma

Why use a vaccum?

Mother is too tired and exhausted to push the baby Reduced maternal expulsive force Baby becomes stuck or distressed

Advantages over forceps-assisted birth

Ease of vacuum placement Less anesthesia used Easier for professionals to master and perform safely Figures 2 & 3: Suction devices

Figure 6: Fetal scalp injuries