Use of obstetric forceps in Finland today--experience at Vaasa Central Hospital 1984-1998.

BACKGROUND

Forceps delivery has become rare in Finland since the introduction of the vacuum extractor. Our aim was to survey the number of forceps deliveries in Finland and analyze our own material of 130 forceps deliveries during a 15-year period between 1984 and 1998. During this period there were 17,887 deliveries at Vaasa Central Hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 130 forceps deliveries and 11 trial forceps cases, which subsequently resulted in a cesarean section.

RESULTS

There was no maternal or neonatal mortality. In 39 cases a cesarean section could be avoided by use of forceps after a failed vacuum extraction. Only in one case was maternal morbidity regarded as serious. There was no serious neonatal morbidity. Anal sphincter ruptures occurred in three cases (2.3%). All the women in the trial forceps group were nulliparous, in 73% of these the fetus was in a persistent occipito-posterior position. Failed vacuum extraction and trial forceps did not significantly influence neonatal outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Forceps delivery appears to be a safe alternative in our setting.