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For centuries, when a baby became stuck during labor, physicians and midwives had very few options. Hooks, knives, saws, forceps, and eventually vacuum extractors were developed to help manage some of the most dangerous complications of childbirth. Some were revolutionary. Others caused devastating injuries. And some were kept secret for generations because their inventors knew just how valuable—and controversial—they could be.

In this episode of The Cadaver’s Lessons, we take a deep dive into the brutal, bizarre, and surprisingly fascinating history of obstetric instruments.

📚 References

1. Efficacy of obstetrics forceps and vacuum extractor to assist during vaginal delivery: systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12671670/
2. Hook CD, Damos JR. Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(8):953-960. American Family Physician
3. Merck Manual Professional Edition. Operative vaginal delivery. Merck Manual
4. StatPearls. [Clinical reference]. StatPearls Publishing. NCBI Bookshelf
5. Patel RR, Murphy DJ. Forceps delivery in modern obstetric practice. BMJ. 2004. PubMed Central
6. History.com Editors. The chainsaw was originally invented to assist with childbirth. History. History.com
7. Sheikh S, Ganesaratnam I, Jan H. The birth of forceps. JRSM Short Rep. 2013;4(7):1-4. doi:10.1177/2042533313478412. PubMed Central
8. Dittrick Medical History Center. Mystery instruments: forceps in myth and history. Case Western Reserve University. Dittrick Medical History Center
9. Motherhood in Prehistory. Embryotomy/fetotomy. 2016. Motherhood in Prehistory

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