Caesarean section rates are on the rise and this may be partly due to lack of appropriate training and experience in instrumental deliveries as well as medico-legal issues. Since caesarean section performed in the second stage of labour is associated with increased maternal morbidity, an appropriately performed instrumental vaginal delivery may help avoid the unnecessary risks.

Instrumental vaginal deliveries can be hazardous in inexperienced hands and should be undertaken with due care and supervision. Various intrapartum measures may help reduce the need for assisted vaginal delivery such as use of partogram, upright or lateral maternal position, one-to-one support to the woman in labour, delayed pushing in women having epidural anaesthesia or judicious use of oxytocin in the second stage of labour, especially in women with epidural anaesthesia.