Obstetric forceps pad designed to reduce infant trauma

The use of the standard obstetric forceps has been associated with varying degrees of maternal and fetal trauma. To reduce the degree of skin markings, a pliable polyurethane pad with selfadherent backing has been designed, which can be applied to each blade of the forceps. One hundred five neonates who required forceps-assisted deliveries were observed for evidence of skin trauma immediately after delivery and again at 24 hours. Padded forceps significantly reduced craniofacial visible skin markings when compared with the skin markings produced by the unpadded forceps. The addition of the pad to the forceps blade had no adverse effect on the mother, and obstetricians encountered no problems in the application and use of the pads.