Image via ABC. PM BY EMILY BOURKE.
There is renewed concern about the scale of injuries to women caused by forceps delivery in Australian hospitals.
One leading expert on maternal injuries said a crisis in maternity wards was a direct result of efforts to bring down the rate of caesarean sections.
Peter Dietz, one of Australia’s leading experts on gynaecological injuries, is also warning of a potential flood of medical legal cases.
He said the crisis in Australia’s maternity wards was a result of the shift away from caesarean sections at a time when more and more pregnancies were regarded as high risk.
“So women are … older and older at the time when they have their first baby and we all know there’s an obesity epidemic out there, so it’s the perfect storm,” he said.
“It’s not surprising at all that C-section rates have been going up everywhere.”
Professor Dietz said until recently, obstetricians were unaware of the extent of pelvic floor damage caused by forceps.
“That [kind of injury] happens in about 10 per cent of women having their babies normally, it happens maybe 11 per cent after a vacuum or with a vacuum, and it happens here in Sydney in 44 per cent of all forceps.
“That’s a huge difference and that difference doesn’t just happen in Sydney.
Top Comments
Yeah, thanks, medical establishment. You managed to medicalise childbirth so much that we got to a point where countless numbers of women were having caesareans that were basically unnecessary or at the very least questionable, leading to astonishing amounts of health issues down the track and an entire generation of women who believe that their bodies are incapable of giving birth. And now you're trying to reduce that and in the process causing terrible pelvic floor injuries. Here's a tip: why not try leaving birth a little bit more alone and trusting in the process and women's bodies? Supporting women, rather than endlessly testing and monitoring?
There's a reason that low risk women and their babies who have midwifery care fare better than women who go to doctors: midwives as a general rule trust in the birthing process. Doctors, as a rule, do not.
KIELLANDS FORCEPS NEED TO BE BANNED!!! This article pretty much sums up what I am going through! I have recently experienced a kiellands forceps delivery (had never heard of them until 11 weeks ago!) and have been traumatised by it. I was not informed of the risks before the procedure. Had I known of the trauma that can be caused not only to the mother but also the baby, I would never have let them go through with it. How is this horrible practice allowed?? I put my faith and trust in these Drs at a time when I was most vulnerable, and now I am at risk of prolapse and am tirelessly doing pelvic floor exercises to try and stop incontinence/prolapse occurring. I am just thankful my baby came out unharmed. I have been researching this practice since the birth and really cant find any good things to say about kiellands, in fact they are banned in some countries. I know Drs are trying to reduce the number of c sections as the cost is expensive, but a one off c section or countless physio and psychology appointments and a lifetime of health issues? I know which one I would rather! I would love to hear of other mums or any drs point of view!