Occiput Health Dictionary

Also called a ventouse. The idea of the glass suction cup applied to the emerging head of the baby to assist in delivery was ?rst considered by Younge in 1706, but it was not until 1954 that the modern (ventouse) vacuum extractor was introduced. The value of the ventouse as against the FORCEPS has been disputed in di?erent clinics, the former being less popular in the UK. Indications are similar for the use of obstetric forceps. Even if the OCCIPUT is not in the anterior position, the extractor may still be applied; many obstetricians would choose forceps or perform manual rotation of the fetus in such cases.

In cases of prolongation of the ?rst stage of labour, the ventouse may be used to accelerate dilatation of the cervix – provided that the cervix is already su?ciently dilated to allow application of the cup. The ventouse cannot be applied to the breech or face; in urgent cases of fetal distress the operation takes too long, and forceps delivery is preferred. There is some doubt about its safety when used on premature babies; many obstetricians feel that forceps delivery reduces the risk of intracranial haemorrhage. The vacuum extractor, while resulting in a slower delivery than when forceps are used, has a lower risk of damage to the mother’s birth canal. (See PREGNANCY AND LABOUR – Some complications of labour.)... vacuum extractor

(CPD) the state in which the diameter of the fetal head is greater than the pelvic outlet, preventing successful vaginal delivery. This may be relative when there is *malposition of the vertex (back of the head) or absolute when the vertex is in the occipitoanterior position (see occiput), and can only be considered when the cervix is fully dilated.... cephalopelvic disproportion

mechanical obstruction of labour in which the fetal head is unable to rotate from occipitotransverse to occipitoanterior position (see occiput).... deep transverse arrest

n. the part of the fetus that is used to describe positions for *presentation. For vertex (back of the head) presentation, it is the *occiput; for breech presentation, the sacrum; for face presentation, the mentum (chin).... denominator

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

n. (in obstetrics) an abnormal position of the fetal head when this is the presenting part in labour (see presentation). The head is in such a position that the diameter of the skull in relation to the pelvic opening is greater than normal (e.g. occipital transverse, occipital posterior: see occiput). This is likely to result in a prolonged and complicated labour.... malposition

n. the part of the fetus that is closest to the birth canal and can be felt on inserting a finger into the vagina. Normally the back of the head (vertex) presents, the most favourable position for delivery being occipital anterior (see occiput). However, the buttocks may present (see breech presentation) or, if the fetus lies transversely across the uterus, the shoulder or arm may present (see malpresentation). These abnormal presentations may cause complications during childbirth, and attempts may be made to correct them. See also denominator.... presentation