UNLABELLED: The incidence of forceps delivery has reduced in Nigeria and in the world in general. Some Obstetricians have not been trained in its use and lack the skill. OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of forceps delivery at this centre. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of all forceps delivery done at this centre between the 1st of January 1997 and 31st December 2001, a 5-year period was done. RESULTS: The incidence of forceps delivery was 1.57% or 16 per 1000 births and they were all low cavity deliveries. Most of the patients (68.5%) were booked at this centre. The mean age was 28.21 +/- 4.79 years and most (64.4%) were nulliparious. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.7 +/- 3.0 weeks. The most common indications were prolonged second stage of labour (58.9%), maternal distress (43.8%) and fetal distress (15.1%). There were multiple indications in some patients. The mean birth weight was 3.03 +/- 0.69 kgs and 90.4% were live births. The main maternal complications were maternal injuries (8.1%), primary post partum haemorrhage (5.5%), anaemia (5.5%) and retained products of conception (4.1%). Maternal deaths occurred in 2 eclamptics and birth asphyxia in 6.9% of babies. The perinatal mortality rate was 54.8 per 1000 births. There were no fetal injuries. CONCLUSION: Obstetrics forceps delivery is on the decline in Nigeria. It is an art that can safely and quickly deliver the fetus. It could be offered in the place of a caesarean section in some instances with a good outcome to both the mother and fetus in skilled hands. Obstetricians should be trained to use it more frequently.
UNLABELLED: The incidence of forceps delivery has reduced in Nigeria and in the world in general. Some Obstetricians have not been trained in its use and lack the skill. OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of forceps delivery at this centre. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of all forceps delivery done at this centre between the 1st of January 1997 and 31st December 2001, a 5-year period was done. RESULTS: The incidence of forceps delivery was 1.57% or 16 per 1000 births and they were all low cavity deliveries. Most of the patients (68.5%) were booked at this centre. The mean age was 28.21 +/- 4.79 years and most (64.4%) were nulliparious. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.7 +/- 3.0 weeks. The most common indications were prolonged second stage of labour (58.9%), maternal distress (43.8%) and fetal distress (15.1%). There were multiple indications in some patients. The mean birth weight was 3.03 +/- 0.69 kgs and 90.4% were live births. The main maternal complications were maternal injuries (8.1%), primary post partum haemorrhage (5.5%), anaemia (5.5%) and retained products of conception (4.1%). Maternal deaths occurred in 2 eclamptics and birth asphyxia in 6.9% of babies. The perinatal mortality rate was 54.8 per 1000 births. There were no fetal injuries. CONCLUSION: Obstetrics forceps delivery is on the decline in Nigeria. It is an art that can safely and quickly deliver the fetus. It could be offered in the place of a caesarean section in some instances with a good outcome to both the mother and fetus in skilled hands. Obstetricians should be trained to use it more frequently.