More usually termed ‘ventouse’, this is a method of applying suction to the head of a baby during delivery to hasten the process. Indications for its use are similar to those of obstetric forceps, although if the OCCIPUT is not in the anterior position, many obstetricians would choose forceps or perform manual rotation of the fetus in such cases.

In cases of prolongation of the first stage of labour, the ventouse may be used to accelerate dilatation of the cervix – provided that the cervix is already sufficiently dilated to allow application of the cup. The ventouse cannot be applied to the breech or face, and in urgent cases of fetal distress the operation takes too long, and forceps delivery is preferred. There is some doubt about its safety when used on premature babies; many obstetricians feel that forceps delivery reduces the risk of intracranial haemorrhage. The vacuum extractor, while resulting in a slower delivery than when forceps are used, has a lower risk of damage to the mother's birth canal. (See PREGNANCY AND LABOUR – Some complications of labour.)