During delivery, the baby may remain trapped in the birth canal. Aids such as a vacuum pump are then used to retrieve the baby.
During the pregnancy the uterus houses and protects a baby for about 40 weeks. When the baby is full term and nearing birth, the baby has to go through a series of movements to pass through the birth canal.
However, sometimes a baby gets stuck in the birth canal during delivery. This may be because the baby is not in the correct position, because the labor stops unexpectedly or because the baby is too big for the birth canal.
In such cases, a vacuum pump is often used as a birth aid. Then a bell- or funnel-shaped cup is first inserted into the vagina and placed on the baby’s head. The cup is then vacuumed with a hand pump or an electric pump.
The suction can gently pull the baby out until the head has left the birth canal. Now the cup is removed and labor continues as normal.
