ABSTRACT
Originally devised for forceps, this classification is valid for any operative delivery, including vacuum (5).
TYPES OF FORCEPS There are many different designs for forceps, but all consist of two separate halves that each have the same four basic components: blade, shank, lock, and handle. There is insufficient evidence to compare different types of forceps. In the only small trial performed, severe facial abrasion was decreased from 4.1% to 1.9% from the regular forceps compared with soft forceps, as were minimal markings (from 61% to 34%, respectively) (6). Unfortunately successful delivery rates for the two different forceps were not reported, and the soft forceps were self-made. Given the paucity of data, choice of forceps type is somewhat operator dependent.
