This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Types and uses of forceps

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The type of forceps used depends on the position and presentation of the baby.

The distinction is based on whether the baby needs to be rotated or not before being delivered, and for this the forceps are described as having two curvatures:

  • Cephalic - the inner curve which fits around the baby's head
  • Pelvic - a lengthways curve which fits the curve of the maternal pelvis.

Thus if a rotation is to be attempted, the pelvic curvature should be minimal to prevent damage to the maternal pelvis.

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.