The secret forceps, today known as the Obstetric forceps or the Simpson delivery forceps because it was James Simpson who reinvented the instruments to fil the contours of the pelvis and fetal head. The forceps come in two parts and are handed to the obstetrician one at a time. They have four major components: The double curved, spoonlike articulated blades that are used in the expulsion of the fetal head. These blades graps the fetal head and have a cephalic curve. A shape fasioned to follow the contours of the fetal head. blades may be oval or elliptical and may have a hole in the middle or may just be plain solid. The pelvic curve of the blade are angled at 90 degrees and was designed to conform to the pelvic axis. The shanks connect the blades to the handles and provide the length of the device. They are either parallel or crossing. The lock is the connection between the shanks. Many different types have been designed. The handles are where the operator holds the device and applies traction to the fetal head. Use of the forceps are indicated during the second stage of labor when dystocia or difficulty in delivering the baby is encountered. It aids the mother who is too fatigued to push her baby out or who has been given epidural anesthesia. An epidural anesthesia numbs the pelvic floor muscles making it difficult for them to guide the head of the baby into a favourable position for birth. It is also indicated to help the mother who has an existing medical condition like a heart problem that limits her ability to exert force. The use of the forceps allows to remained relaxed, thus preventing cardiac decompensation and preserving her health. (108) It may also be used to rescue a baby who is in distress. A baby in distress has an abnormally high or abnormally low cardiac rate, and is in danger of dying.

The use of the forceps has several prerequisites to ensure a successful delivery. First and foremost, the first stage of delivery should have been completed, which means that the maternal cervix should have been dilated to ten (10) centimeters. This is necessary to allow easy passage of the fetal head and to prevent cervial laceration due to the passage of the fetus. Second, the head of the baby should be enganged so that it is at the level of or beyond the ischial spines of the mother. This ensures that the baby can easily be pulled out because most of its body has exited the uterus. The membranes or the amniotic sac should have been ruptured to allow a firmer grip on the fetal head. The pelvis of the mother must also be wide enough in proportion to the size of the baby to allow easy passage. Cephalopelvic disproportion must be ruled out prior to the onset of labor with the use of X-Ray pelvimetry. The bladder and bowels should also be evacuated to maximize to space. The mother and family should also be informed prior to the application of the forceps about the pros and cons of the procedure. Facial injury secondary to forceps extraction is always a possiblity and they should be made to understand this.

Obsterical forceps have a come a long way since the 16th century, although its structure remains the same, the magnitude of its contribution to women worldwide is immeasurable. By coming out of its box, it has saved countless families unnecessary grief.