A ventouse (vacuum cup) delivery is a type of assisted vaginal birth.
Your doctor may use a ventouse if they have concerns about your baby during the birth.
Why you may need an assisted birth
What a ventouse is
A ventouse is a suction cup that sits on your baby’s head. The cup may be plastic or metal and is sometimes attached by a tube to a suction device.
Kiwi device
The Kiwi device is the most common type of ventouse used in Ireland. It does not use a suction machine.
The cup is attached to a hand-held pump. The doctor creates the suction using this pump.
What happens during a ventouse delivery
Your doctor looks at where your baby's head is. They place the cup on your baby’s head.
During a contraction, you are normally asked to push. The doctor gently pulls on the ventouse to help birth your baby. It usually takes a few pulls for your baby to be born.
When your baby’s head passes through the birth canal, the suction gets released. The ventouse is then removed from your baby.
If a ventouse delivery is not successful
A ventouse delivery works well for most women. It is less likely to cause bruising or tears to your vagina and perineum. But it is not as successful as a forceps-assisted birth.
If the ventouse is not successful, your obstetrician may need to use a forceps or plan for a caesarean birth. This will depend on your situation.
The ventouse is not suitable if you are less than 34 weeks pregnant. This is because your baby’s head is smaller and softer.
Ventouse instruments can leave a mark or a bump on your baby’s head. This is called a chignon. It usually disappears after 24 to 48 hours.
