{
    "abstract": "The use of forceps in infant delivery has fallen out of favor among obstetricians in the past three decades. Forceps deliveries now make up about only 1.1% of vaginal deliveries (according to a retrospective cohort involving more than 22 million vaginal deliveries from 2005-2013). The use of vacuum extraction has also declined but is more frequently used compared to forceps delivery; this may be because vacuum extraction is easier to use in comparison to forceps. However,\u00a0vacuum use is less likely to result in a successful vaginal delivery when compared to the use of forceps. Despite the increased efficacy compared to the vacuum, forceps use is still on the decline. Some speculate that this downward trend is due to fear of litigation related to common complications of forceps delivery, including increased risk of perineal laceration and injury to the newborn. Others attribute the decreased use of forceps\u00a0to lack of adequate resident training. Nonetheless, operative vaginal delivery with forceps has its benefits. When applied properly during the second stage of labor arrest, it has the potential to eliminate the need for a cesarean section. Cesarean section is a more invasive procedure with an increased risk of complications, and when compared\u00a0to operative forceps delivery. Cesarean delivery has correlations with\u00a0an increased risk of postpartum infection. Cesarean sections also correlate with long term complications including increased risk of repeat cesarean section, placental abnormalities, and uterine rupture. Preventing these complications is beneficial to patients which is why many providers support the revival of operative vaginal delivery.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "collective": null,
            "firstname": "Stephanie M.",
            "initials": "SM",
            "lastname": "Evanson"
        },
        {
            "collective": null,
            "firstname": "John",
            "initials": "J",
            "lastname": "Riggs"
        }
    ],
    "copyrights": "Copyright \u00a9 2025, StatPearls Publishing LLC.",
    "doi": null,
    "isbn": null,
    "language": "eng",
    "publication_date": "2025",
    "publication_type": "Study Guide",
    "publisher": "StatPearls Publishing",
    "publisher_location": "Treasure Island (FL)",
    "pubmed_id": "28236337\n21069686\n27500345\n26596236\n27806660\n29360829\n26334957\n15547566\n26488523\n28351816\n11641674\n28779515\n25920322\n28584040\n30855808",
    "sections": [
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Continuing Education Activity"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Introduction"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Anatomy and Physiology"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Indications"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Contraindications"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Equipment"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Personnel"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Preparation"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Technique or Treatment"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Complications"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Clinical Significance"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "Review Questions"
        },
        {
            "chapter": null,
            "title": "References"
        }
    ],
    "title": "StatPearls"
}