Obstetrical forceps, Glasgow, Scotland, 1865-1900
Obstetrical forceps grip and rotate the baby’s head during difficult births. The curved blades fit the curve of the mother’s pelvis. Obstetrical forceps were introduced in numbers from the early 1700s, but only gradually found widespread use. This pair is made from nickel-plated steel with ebony handles by Glasgow-based surgical instrument and bandage maker James Dick.
Object number:
A633695
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: pelvis
No description.
Glossary: obstetrics
A branch of medicine dealing with the care of women. This care occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period of recovery from childbirth.
Glossary: obstetrical forceps
An instrument used to assist the delivery of a foetus, usually during a birth where complications have developed. Numerous variations have been developed over time. The fundamental design has two separate looped blades with handles. These interlock to form a grasping instrument.