Assessment of forceps use in obstetrics during a simulated childbirth

In obstetrics, manipulations are mainly learned during real deliveries. To minimize the risks linked to such training, we propose a childbirth simulator as a teaching tool in hospitals. More specifically, we focus on training with forceps during obstetric manipulation.

The training method can be divided into two steps: the teaching of forceps placement, and the extraction manipulation. In this paper we focus on the extraction manipulation on the simulator and the analysis of the results, taking into account several parameters and using an evaluation function to obtain a global score.

Experimental results reveal novice difficulty while proceeding to the fetus extraction. These results highlight the fact that novices need a personalized training which can be carried out on the BirthSIM simulator.

Results lead to the conclusion that a simulator training offers benefit to novices by providing them with risk-free training to acquire initial experience before proceeding to conventional training in the delivery room.