obstetrical forceps


obstetrical forceps

n. Forceps used for gently grasping and pulling on or rotating the fetal head. The blades are introduced separately into the vaginal canal and joined after being placed in correct position.

obstetrical forceps

A forceps for extracting the fetal head from the pelvis during delivery. In obstetrics, forceps application is classified according to the position of the fetal head when the forceps are applied, i.e., outlet forceps, low forceps, and midforceps. The forceps allows withdrawal force to be applied to the fetal head and protects the head during the passage. Synonym: brain forceps See: stationSee also: forceps

obstetrical forceps

Wide, open-bladed traction forceps, the blades of which can be separated and applied individually to the sides of the head of the fetus and then interlocked. Forceps are sometimes used in cases of difficult or unduly prolonged labour. A commonly used alternative is the VENTOUSE.