Vacuum extraction, a procedure that facilitates obstructed labor

Previously, have you heard of the vacuum extraction method of childbirth? Vacuum extraction is generally used during normal delivery for a specific purpose.

Usually, doctors will recommend the use of a vacuum extraction device for the baby's labor to speed up the birth, especially if the labor is not progressing.

Well, for more information about giving birth to a baby with a vacuum extraction tool, let's see through the reviews below!

What is vacuum extraction?

Source: The Pulse

Vacuum extraction is a device used to facilitate the passage of babies during normal labor.

When normal labor is in progress, the doctor may recommend using a vacuum if the baby is difficult to be born with contractions alone.

The vacuum extraction device makes it easier for the baby to pass through the vagina while the mother tries to push.

If labor is hampered and there is a bad risk for the baby if it is not delivered immediately, the use of tools such as vacuum extraction or forceps is an option.

The use of vacuum is usually only started after entering the normal stage of childbirth or when the mother is experiencing contractions and straining.

According to UT Southwestern Medical Center, the labor vacuum extraction tool works as if it were like sucking.

So, a vacuum device is attached to the baby's skull but not to the crown or soft spot.

Furthermore, the vacuum extraction device seems to suck together to guide the baby to make it easier to get out of the womb while the mother pushes it by pushing.

Long before arriving on the due date of birth (HPL), you should prepare various childbirth preparations and delivery equipment that you, your baby, and your partner will need.

The use of a vacuum extraction device to facilitate normal childbirth can only be done if a pregnant woman gives birth in a hospital and not at home.

What are the types of vacuum extraction equipment for delivery?

Source: Pregnancy Video

There are two types of vacuum extractors that can be used during the normal delivery process, namely:

1. Metal cup

Vacuum device made of metal cup or metal has a round shape with a diameter between 40-60 millimeters (mm).

Right at the top of the metal circle, there is a chain that connects the metal with a handle that can be removed for easy use.

The advantage of using a metal-based vacuum is that it is easier to place to suck the baby's head during childbirth.

In addition, the success rate is also somewhat higher than the vacuum soft cup.

But on the other hand, this metal vacuum tool tends to be stiffer so it is rather difficult and uncomfortable to use.

The metal material that makes up the vacuum to aid in normal childbirth is also at risk of causing injury to the baby's scalp.

2. Soft cup

In contrast to metal cups, soft cup is the constituent material for vacuum delivery which is made of plastic.

Vacuum delivery soft cup originally shaped like a funnel or a bell.

However, now the vacuum gave birth to this plastic material that has been modified to resemble a metal vacuum cup.

That way, the vacuum gives birth to this type as if it combines the advantages of a vacuum made from metal and plastic.

Because it is made of plastic, this type of vacuum to facilitate childbirth is softer so it won't hurt the baby's head.

When is vacuum used during normal delivery?

Doctors usually decide to use vacuum support during delivery for certain conditions.

The following are some of the recommended conditions for using a vacuum extraction device during delivery:

Not progressing the contraction

Vacuum extraction is usually used when the mother has experienced labor contractions, but labor has not progressed.

The delivery process is considered to take too long if there is no development in a certain period of time and the mother's condition is tired.

There is a problem with the baby's heart rate

The problem with the baby's heart rate is also a consideration for the vacuum extractor method used.

If doctors and the medical team are concerned that the baby's heartbeat is having problems, delivery should be done immediately.

In this case, normal delivery can be helped to be accelerated with the help of a vacuum device.

However, this procedure can only be done if the baby is not in fetal distress.

There are certain health problems in the mother

When the mother has certain health problems such as narrowing of the aortic valve (aortic valve stenosis) or other problems, the vacuum method may be recommended.

Your doctor and medical team may limit your efforts during contractions so that the birthing process is made easier by using a vacuum.

Before considering the above conditions, there are several conditions for using a vacuum extractor for baby labor, namely:

There have been signs of childbirth in the form of a complete birth opening
Term fetus (gestational age above 37 weeks)
The part of the fetus that is close to the mother's pelvis is the head
The head has come down close to the vaginal canal
Mother looks exhausted
Single baby pregnancy

Are there any difficult conditions using vacuum extraction?

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic page, despite good intentions, doctors and medical teams usually do not recommend the use of a labor vacuum extraction device in conditions such as:

Gestational age less than 34 weeks.
Babies have certain medical conditions that affect their bone strength, such as osteogenesis imperfecta or bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.
The baby's head has not moved to reach the middle of the birth canal or cervix (cervix).
Position of the fetus in the womb with undetectable head direction.
The shoulders, arms, buttocks, or legs of the baby that are expected to pass first through the vagina.
The baby's body size is too large or your pelvis is too small so that it is difficult for the baby to pass through the pelvis.

What is the vacuum extraction process?

Maybe using the vacuum seems a little scary because the device is inserted into the vagina.

But before imagining it any further, here is a normal birthing process with the aid of a vacuum extraction device:

Before vacuum use

Various other methods and alternatives will be tried by doctors and the medical team first before finally requiring the use of vacuum.

Starting from using the drug pitocin intravenously as an induction of labor or making an episiotomy incision (vaginal scissors) to make it easier for the baby to pass.

If various means have been done but using a vacuum is deemed the best option, the doctor will convey this decision to you.

Ask for all the information, including the risks and alternatives to using this baby labor vacuum extraction device.

Usually, if labor does not progress even though it has been done vacuum, the type of delivery in the form of a cesarean section will be the last option.

During vacuum use

As with a normal delivery, you will also be asked to lie down with your legs wide apart.

To be stronger and more powerful when doing contractions, you can hold both sides of the bed or other place that feels more comfortable.

The doctor will then insert a delivery vacuum device into your vagina, and attach it to the baby's head.

Next, the vacuum pump of labor is activated so that the withdrawal can be made and the baby's head can be immediately expelled through the vagina.

The procedure for using the vacuum delivery will be repeated over and over again with each contraction, increasing the pressure gradually.

Meanwhile between contractions, the pressure on the vacuum extractor to support normal delivery is reduced.

After the baby's body is successfully removed, the doctor then removes the vacuum delivery device from his head.

In some cases, the use of vacuum delivery is not always successful.

If this happens, doctors and the medical team can immediately make the last alternative, namely by caesarean section.

After vacuum use

All vacuum delivery is now complete. However, it doesn't stop there.

Doctors and the medical team will still do their job to check for possible injuries to you and your baby due to the use of vacuum.

If the doctor previously used vaginal scissors to make the labor process easier, this section will be sutured back together after delivery.

The doctor will also perform a follow-up examination to see any signs of complications due to vacuum extraction.

Are there any risks of giving birth by vacuum extraction?

Just like any other medical procedure, the use of a vacuum in childbirth also has its risks behind it.

For you, here are the possible risks of using a vacuum extraction device for baby labor:

Pain in the tissue between the vagina and anus (perineum) after childbirth.
Difficulty urinating for a while.
Urinary or fecal incontinence. A condition when it is difficult to control the desire to urinate or defecate, so that it can come out suddenly without accident.

As mentioned earlier, the doctor may make an incision between the vagina and anus (vaginal scissors).

This aims to facilitate the entry of the vacuum device for delivery and the process of expelling the baby.

Meanwhile, the various risks of giving birth to a baby include:

There is a wound on the scalp
Babies are at risk of developing dystocia, or one of the baby's shoulders is still in the vagina when the head is out of the vagina. This condition is also known as stuck labor (dystocia).
Skull fracture or fracture of the skull
Bleeding inside the skull

However, you need not worry, as it is rare for a baby to seriously injure himself after vacuum extraction.

Especially if done in the right procedure, the risks that may arise from giving birth with a vacuum can be smaller.

This means that the chances of developing complications of childbirth for you and your baby can also be minimized.