The genitals of the patient are now cleansed with all care and attention described for labor. If this has been done within an hour, she need only be sponged off thoroughly with lysol solution (1 per cent). The feet and legs are covered with stockings, the body kept warm, and protected by sheets and blankets, if necessary.
Every operative delivery is preceded by catheterization.
All instruments are boiled for thirty minutes and brought to the table in the same container in which they are sterilized. The hot water has been poured off and a cool, weak solution of lysol (0.5 per cent) added.
Fig. 73.—Instruments for artificial delivery of the head. A, Braun’s blunt hook; B, Cranioclast (Auvard); C, Axis traction forceps (Webster); D, Low forceps (Simpson).
Forceps.—Before using forceps it should be determined that the woman can not deliver the child unaided, or can not be permitted to do so without too great expenditure of physical and nervous energy. The exact conditions must be recognized as to the location and position of the head, the condition of the fœtal heart tones and the size of the pelvis. When the head is high up, the axis traction instrument is employed and patient put in Walcher’s position for the traction.
Axis traction forceps are extremely dangerous to mother and child, and should be avoided wherever possible.
The following instruments are required:
The obstetric forceps.
2 eight-inch forceps.