Outcome of Assisted Vaginal Deliveries in a Tertiary Care Centre in Bengaluru

BACKGROUND The lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) audit shows an increase in caesarean section rates worldwide. Assisted vaginal delivery and, if needed, emergency caesarean section are options available to the obstetrician to handle challenges in the second stage when spontaneous and safe delivery is not imminent. Judicious use of the instrument as well as continuing medical education in the art of assisted vaginal delivery is a must to achieve the twin goal of containing the surging caesarean section rate as well as bring about a successful and safe assisted vaginal delivery. The objective of this study was to quantify the various morbidities associated with assisted vaginal deliveries among patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Bengaluru. METHODS It is a retrospective study carried for four years between July 2016 and June 2020 at Ramaiah Medical College at Bengaluru. The total number of vaginal deliveries was 6318 out of which 1020 had a successful assisted vaginal delivery and were studied in terms of outcomes, maternal and foetal indications and morbidity. RESULTS Out of 1020 assisted vaginal deliveries, 86.96 % were vacuum-assisted, 3.9 % were forceps assisted and 9.11 % were both vacuum and forceps assisted. The success rate of forceps deliveries was more compared to vacuum. No significant maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity were observed in our study. CONCLUSIONS In this study, vacuum was the most used method of assisted vaginal delivery and was safer for mothers and babies. It is also easier to teach and learn. Forceps delivery was more used in preterm delivery. KEY WORDS Assisted Vaginal Delivery, Vacuum, Forceps, Sequential use of Instruments, Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity.