Vacuum Assisted Birth
Facilitator
Course content
Course by 
Introduction
With this course, participants will develop the knowledge, skills, and competency to identify the need for a vacuum assisted birth (VAB), perform the procedure, and manage complications. This course is intended for health providers who have completed the Essential Care for Labor and Birth and Prolonged and Obstructed Birth courses. VAB is currently available in pilot version for testing.
Hands-on skills practice is essential for the course. Make sure your participants have the equipment and time needed to practice.
On this page you will find what you need to plan and facilitate the course: Learning materials, Equipment, Assessments and LDHF practice.
Note: The vacuum assisted birth procedure should not be attempted in clinical practice without sufficient skills practice with simulation.
Share with your course participants
We have gathered all the resources that you need to share with your course participants in one place. Share this link with them hmbs.org/course/vab-participant
Course materials
The course materials are currently available in a pilot version as PDFs.
Action Plan
These Action Plans will guide the training . After the course, make sure participants have them visible at their facility to help them remember what they have learned.
Flip Chart
The Flip Charts will support your facilitation of the course.
Provider Guide — Coming soon
Every participant should have a Provider Guide to keep. The guide will support them to continue practice and improve the quality of care.
Equipment
During the VAB training, every group of six participants you need
- Pregnancy wheels or calendars
- Pens/pencils, paper, blank partographs .
and/or client records - BP machine
- Stethoscope (adult / newborn)
- Thermometer
- MamaBirthie and BabyBirthie
- White skull (comes with MamaBirthie)
- Cervical inserts (comes with Mama
Birthie) - Gloves (clean and sterile)
- Fetoscope/Doppler and ultrasound gel
- Measuring tape
- Vacuum extractor and cups
- Soap or alcohol based hand rub
- Videos and projector/laptop (if using)
- Towels, baby hat, and blanket
- Scissors and/or blade
- Hemostats, clamps, ties for cord
- Basin/receiver for placenta
- Personal protection for provider
- Mock oxytocin, ampicillin,
gentomycin, syringes and needle - Suction device
- Ventilation bag and mask for baby
- Clock/watch
- Container for safe sharps disposal
- Gauze
Assessments
Confidence Check
Participants can complete a confidence check before and after the training. This provides insights in the learning needs and process for both participants and facilitators.
Pre and post course Knowledge Check
Participants should complete a knowledge check before and after the training. This provides insight in the theoretical learning needs and process for both participants and facilitators.
OSCEs
Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) is a method to assess clinical skill(s) performance and competence. Participants should perform the OSCEs at the end of the course to gain a certificate.
Templates
Download and modify these documents to fit your purpose when preparing and evaluating your course.
About Jhpiego
This course was developed by Jhpiego, an organization that creates and delivers transformative health care solutions that save lives. They believe that where people live should not determine if they live. In partnership with national governments, health experts and local communities, Jhpiego builds health providers’ skills and develops systems that save lives now and guarantee healthier futures for women and their families. Jhpiego’s dedicated team of technical experts in human resource development; maternal and newborn health; monitoring, evaluation and research; in concert with global partners has brought the HMS suite of training materials forth to improve quality of care at birth.