Operative Vaginal Delivery

Operative vaginal delivery is defined as a procedure performed in the final part of the second stage of labor in which the operator uses either forceps or a vacuum device to promote the extraction of the fetus from the birth canal. The goal of operative vaginal delivery is to facilitate vaginal birth, hence speeding up delivery with a minimum of maternal or neonatal morbidity (Keriakos et al. J Obstet Gynaecol 33(8):781–786, 2013).