It is important for your caregiver to position the forceps accurately, and to have you in a 'stable' position, so your body weight can counteract the traction needed to deliver your baby. It is for this reason that your caregiver will require you to be on your back with your legs up in stirrups. You may be able to prop yourself up a little with pillows to be able to see better, and have some eye contact with your caregiver if you prefer.
Image 6-76 show a woman positioned in stirrups.
An internal vaginal examination is carried out to estimate the engagement of the baby's head, and determine which way the baby's head is lying, and where your caregiver needs to place each arm of the forceps. Sometimes if the baby's head is quite
moulded and has a large
caput, the position of the baby can be difficult to determine. If this is the case, the doctor will slide their fingers up the side of the baby's' head to find the top of one ear, to help feel the way the baby is facing and the position of the baby's head.
The aim is to position the forceps alongside the baby's head, over their ears and down over the baby's cheeks. The forceps are lubricated with antiseptic cream (the same type used when a vaginal examination is performed) and then the separate arms of the forceps are inserted one at a time, usually beginning with the left arm. The doctor uses their fingers to guide the forceps in and protect the woman's vaginal tissues.
Image 6-53 shows how the forceps are positioned on the baby's head.
The end of the left forcep slides over the baby's head, into the curved hollow of the woman's
sacrum and then gently moved to the left side of the woman's pelvis where it should sit alongside the baby's head. The same procedure is repeated with the right forcep. Once in place, the two handles should easily lock together. If they do not fit together, it means that the forceps are incorrectly positioned and will need to be taken out.