Do you know about inhalation? Now, let’s find out what inhaled delivery is and what risks it has.
Suction delivery is a method that helps when the fetus cannot naturally exit the birth canal. This birth form has several characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at the risks associated with inhaled labor and when this type of labor is necessary.
What is inhalational delivery?
Sometimes the fetus becomes stuck in the birth canal. This is a case in which the fetus cannot come out no matter how long the pregnant woman exerts force. In this case, the doctor considers the possibility of inhaled delivery to avoid the last resort, cesarean section.
If the pregnant woman’s amniotic fluid has not yet burst, the obstetrician-gynecologist may voluntarily burst the amniotic fluid and use a local anesthetic. Your doctor will inject this anesthetic into your uterine wall. Then, when labor is felt again, ask the pregnant woman to give strength at that time.
At the same time, the doctor uses a vacuum aspirator to gently suck the fetus out of the birth canal. It is to help the fetus come out into the world through inhalation along with the strength cycle of the expectant mother.
The vacuum inhaler used in obstetrics and gynecology is in the shape of a flexible plastic cup and attaches it to the fetus’s head for suction. This tool is connected to a hand pump or an electric suction machine. The cup part is shaped to fit snugly on the baby’s head, and it goes into the birth canal.
What is inhalational delivery?
1. If the pregnant woman has exerted force for several hours, but the fetus is unable to come out of the birth canal.
2. If the pregnant woman shows signs of exhaustion
3. In case the fetus must be removed quickly due to possible risks or complications
4. If the health of the pregnant woman or fetus is at risk
What are the risks of inhaled delivery?
Suction delivery is not at all surprising or unusual. In fact, it is a method that is practiced quite often, and most of the doctors are also familiar with the suction method.
The medical staff will be with the pregnant woman throughout the delivery process. If the medical staff is with you and the baby has come down far enough down the birth canal, suction is a perfectly safe way to give birth. It is natural for pregnant women to have some doubts and fears about inhaled labor.
However, in most cases, it leads to a successful birth without any problems. Nevertheless, it is good to be aware of the possible dangers:
Risks to the fetus
Inhalational delivery can be far more dangerous to the fetus than the expectant mother. This is because the doctor places the inhaler directly on the baby’s head.
Bleeding under the scalp: This is due to the separation of the skin from the bones. This results in a hematoma on the top of the baby’s head. Typically, these hematomas disappear spontaneously after a few weeks.
Neonatal jaundice: The red blood cells of the hematoma decay and bilirubin is secreted. This can cause your baby’s skin to take on a yellowish tint.
Retinal hemorrhage: due to pressure from the use of a vacuum aspirator. However, there are no long-term or significant impacts.
Potential risks for expectant mothers
The risk to pregnant women is very small, and the risk is almost similar to natural childbirth.
• Vaginal rupture and anal sphincter rupture
• Perineum rupture and pain (the tissue between the vagina and anus)
• Incontinence due to past medical history
When inhalational delivery is not recommended
As mentioned earlier, the risks that can arise from inhaled labor are very small. However, there are some cases where doctors do not recommend this method of delivery or decide that it should be implemented as soon as possible.
For example, inhalational delivery is not recommended if the gestation period is less than 34 weeks. The same is true if the size of the fetus’s head and the size of the mother’s pelvis are imbalanced.
In addition, if the suction cup is not in close contact with the fetus’s head and has fallen more than twice, the suction must be abandoned.
The last case was when 7 inhalation attempts were made in 15 to 20 minutes or longer. In this case, the physician should give up any further suction attempts and perform a cesarean delivery as soon as possible.
It is normal for pregnant women to feel anxious and anxious when the doctor decides that inhaled labor is necessary. However, using an inhaler does not increase the risk at all.
The risk to both mother and baby is very small. The effects of inhaled labor are temporary and disappear spontaneously after a few weeks.
