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Kiwi Medical Knowledge

Vacuum-assisted delivery FAQ

Common questions about fetal vacuum extractors, Kiwi product education, and training support.

01

What is a fetal vacuum extractor?

A fetal vacuum extractor is an obstetric device used to assist vaginal delivery when the second stage of labor is prolonged or when the mother or baby needs a faster delivery. A soft or rigid cup is applied to the baby's head, vacuum is created, and the clinician applies gentle traction synchronized with contractions to help guide the baby out. In most routine operative deliveries, vacuum extraction is a recognized alternative to forceps and, in appropriate cases, may help avoid an emergency cesarean section.

02

What is the Kiwi disposable vacuum extractor?

The Kiwi disposable vacuum extractor is a single-use, sterile, hand-held vacuum delivery system. Vacuum is generated entirely by an integrated hand pump — no wall suction, external pump, or assistant is required — so one clinician can perform the entire procedure. Each device is individually packaged and discarded after use, eliminating reprocessing and cross-infection risk. The current generation is the Kiwi Omni 5015G / 5015C.

03

How does the Kiwi Omni handle different fetal head positions?

The Kiwi Omni uses a low-profile 50 mm cup with a flexible stem, allowing correct placement over the flexion point in occiput anterior (OA), occiput transverse (OT), and occiput posterior (OP) positions. With proficient technique, correct flexion-point placement improves traction efficiency and reduces cup detachment (pop-offs).

04

What vacuum pressure does the Kiwi system work at?

The recommended working vacuum for the Kiwi system is 500–600 mmHg (approximately 65–80 kPa), generated and controlled by the integrated hand pump. The device includes a built-in traction-force indicator that gives the clinician real-time visual feedback, supporting safer traction within recommended limits and useful documentation for training.

05

Can the Kiwi vacuum extractor be used during cesarean section?

Yes. The Kiwi device can assist delivery of a high or floating fetal head during cesarean section, helping the surgeon extract the head smoothly through the uterine incision without additional instruments or fundal pressure by an assistant. This is one of the most frequently used scenarios reported by our hospital users.

06

Is vacuum-assisted delivery safe for the mother and baby?

When performed by trained clinicians on appropriate indications, vacuum-assisted delivery is a well-established procedure supported by decades of clinical literature. Compared with routine episiotomy or difficult forceps delivery, proficient Kiwi use has been associated with lower episiotomy rates and less maternal perineal trauma. As with any operative delivery, correct patient selection, cup placement, and traction technique are essential. Clinical use must always follow the official instructions for use (IFU), local clinical guidelines, and hospital protocols.

07

Why choose a single-use device instead of a reusable metal cup?

Single-use devices arrive sterile and ready to use, with consistent cup and vacuum performance on every delivery. They remove the cost and logistics of cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and maintenance, and eliminate the risk of cross-infection from inadequate reprocessing — a practical advantage for busy maternity units and facilities with limited sterile-processing capacity.

08

What training and support does Kiwi Medical provide?

We provide standardized operative vaginal delivery training built on more than a decade of experience: hands-on workshops with the Lucy and Lucy's Mom birth simulator, flexion-point and traction technique coaching, case-based teaching, and distributor onboarding materials. Since 2015 we have delivered training to more than 10,000 doctor-attendances, supporting over 120,000 Kiwi-assisted deliveries.

09

How can hospitals or distributors in Africa, South America, Central Asia, or Southeast Asia order?

We work with hospitals and appointed distributors across emerging markets. Contact us through the contact form or by email with your country, institution, and estimated volume, and we will respond with product documentation, regulatory status for your market, sample arrangements, and distributor terms.

10

Is the Kiwi device registered or certified in my country?

Registration status varies by market and is updated continuously as we expand. Please contact us with your country and intended use, and we will confirm the current registration and certification status and the documentation available to support local registration by our distribution partners.

11

What is the difference between vacuum extraction and forceps delivery?

Both are forms of operative vaginal delivery, and each has its place. Forceps can deliver greater traction force and remain the instrument of choice in specific situations — for example, preterm babies under 34 weeks (where vacuum is not recommended) or deliveries requiring stronger traction. Vacuum extraction does not replace forceps in these cases. However, in the majority of routine operative deliveries, vacuum extraction can be used instead of forceps: the single cup on the fetal scalp is easier to learn and standardize, and many studies report less maternal soft-tissue trauma. The choice always depends on the clinical situation, gestational age, fetal position and station, and the operator's training.

12

How should the Kiwi device be stored, and what is its shelf life?

Store sealed devices in a clean, dry environment away from direct sunlight, per the labeled storage conditions. Each unit is marked with its lot number and expiry date; do not use after the expiry date or if the sterile packaging is damaged. Detailed conditions are stated in the IFU and on the packaging.