Ventouse

Ventouse is a vacuumdevice used to assist the delivery of a babywhen labourhas not progressed adequately. It is an alternative to a forcepsdelivery. It is not usually used when the baby is in the breech positionor for premature births.

Technique

The woman is placed in the lithotomy positionand assists throughout the process by pushing. A suctioncup is placed onto the head of the baby and the suction draws the skin from the scalp into the cup. Most ventouse devices have handles, allowing the position of the baby to be manipulated, and when the head is born the device can be detached, allowing the woman to complete the delivery of her child.

Some ventouse births have been conducted before the cervixwas fully dilated though some medical practitioners disagree that this should be done.

If the ventouse attempt fails it may be necessary to deliver the infant by caesarean section.

Possible indicating factors

• Fetalor maternal distress(though depending on the severity this may require an emergency caesarean)
• Arterial hypertension(high blood pressure)

Comparisons to other forms of assisted delivery

Positive aspects

• An episiotomyis not usually required and there is little internal bruising
• The mother still takes an active role in the birth
• The force applied to the baby can be less than that of a forceps delivery leaving less marking on the head and face

Negative aspects

• The baby is left with a temporary lump on its head, known as a chignon
• The baby may become distresseddue to strong suction to its head

Ventouse is also a communeof the Charentedépartement, in France.fr:Ventouse obstétricale

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article Ventouse.