Surgical instruments that are used in forceps delivery to deliver the head of a baby in a difficult labour. Obstetric forceps consist of 2 blades that can be locked together and that cup the baby’s head.
The branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and giving birth. Derived from the Latin word for midwifery (see MIDWIFE), it is closely allied to GYNAECOLOGY. It is concerned with the health of the woman and fetus, from early in pregnancy through to a successful labour and delivery. Pregnancy and childbirth are, however, normal physiological events and for most women they take place without complications. Nevertheless, if something does go wrong, skilled medical care should be immediately available to help the mother and baby achieve a successful outcome. Routine monitoring of pregnancies by midwives and, where necessary, general practitioners or obstetricians is well recognised as a signi?cant contribution to a successful pregnancy and delivery. Such monitoring has been greatly facilitated by advances in ULTRASOUND, AMNIOSCOPY, and amnioand cordocentesis (see PRENATAL SCREENING OR DIAGNOSIS). Numerous problems may occur at all stages, and early detection, followed rapidly by sensitive and appropriate treatment, is vital. Doctors and nurses can specialise in obstetrics after suitable training. (See also PREGNANCY AND LABOUR.)... obstetrics
obstetric forceps used to rotate a baby whose head is presenting in the occipitoposterior or occipitotransverse position (see occiput). Potentially dangerous, when carefully used under regional anaesthesia they can achieve a controlled atraumatic delivery. [C. Kielland (20th century), Norwegian obstetrician]... kielland’s forceps
(OASIS) a spectrum of injuries that encompasses both third- and fourth-degree *perineal tears. Injury to the anal sphincter mechanism during childbirth may arise secondarily to direct disruption of the sphincter muscles and/or traction of the pudendal nerves. Disruption of the anal sphincter muscles is best assessed by anal ultrasound examination. This is usually performed using a high-frequency (10 MHz) endoanal probe. In selected cases with complex injury and/or suspected rectovaginal *fistula, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be employed.... obstetric anal sphincter injury
a pregnancy-related condition characterized by intense *pruritus (itch) – and consequent sleep deprivation – in the absence of a skin rash, with abnormal liver function tests and elevated bile acids, all of which remit following delivery. The clinical importance of obstetric cholestasis lies in the potential fetal risks, which may include prematurity and intrauterine death.... obstetric cholestasis
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