A forceps delivery is a type of operative vaginal delivery. It's sometimes needed in the course of vaginal childbirth. Forceps are instruments designed to help in the delivery of the fetus by applying traction to the fetal head. Many different types of forceps have been described and developed.
Generally, forceps consist of 2 mirror image metal instruments that are manipulated to cradle the fetal head and are articulated, after which traction is applied to effect delivery.
Forceps have 4 major components, they are:
Blades: The blades grasp the fetus. Each blade has a curve to fit around the fetal head. The blades are oval or elliptical and can be with a hole in the middle or solid. Many blades are also curved in a plane 90° from the cephalic curve to fit the maternal pelvis.
