Aim: Comparison of the decision to delivery interval in cases of forceps delivery and in cases of cesarean sections.
Material and method: A retrospective analysis was performed on 137 cases of forceps deliver (n = 63) and cesarean section (n = 74) indicated for abnormal fetal heart rhythm. All cases were observed in a level 3 maternity unit between October 2003 and August 2004.
Results: The mean decision-to-delivery interval was significantly shorter in the forceps group (14.84 min +/- 6.54 versus 29.31 min +/- 11.79 p < 0.0001). Maternal and neonatal morbidity were comparable.
Conclusion: This study suggest that once the fetal head is engaged, forceps delivery can significantly reduced the decision-to-delivery interval.