Assisted birth and caesarean birth

Assisted birth – vacuum birth

Vacuum birth

This is the more common technique used for assisted deliveries. The vacuum cup is made of plastic and is attached to a suction device. A doctor inserts the cup into the vagina and creates a vacuum against the baby’s head. This helps the doctor to gently pull the baby out as you push.

What do I need to know?

• you may need an episiotomy
• if vacuum birth fails, a caesarean birth might be needed
• serious baby injuries after a vacuum birth are rare but can include bleeding under the scalp called a cephalhematoma
• it may cause a raised bruise on the baby’s head, but this soon fades
• minor scalp wounds from the pressure of the cup can occur.

More information: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) – Assisted birth

In this guide:

1. Assisted birth – vacuum birth
2. Assisted birth – forceps birth
3. Caesarean birth
4. What can I expect for a caesarean birth?
5. Risks of caesarean birth

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