ABSTRACT
The birth process itself demands squeezing and moulding of the head in order to traverse the bony pelvis. There are also movements at the neck to facilitate passage through the birth canal. Different presentations, that is, face first, brow first, feet first, etc, also create difficulties as discussed in obstetric textbooks. Thus natural, unassisted childbirth can be associated with trauma to the fetus. However, the use of rigid instrumentation to assist birth increases the risk of trauma, so appropriate techniques must be used to minimise that risk.
