Helping deliver babies safely
An alternative to forceps is helping to ensure more babies are being delivered safely.
Every year we deliver around 14,000 babies, of which, some babies need a bit of help to be born. This includes help with a new method called the OdonAssist, with 51 babies being assisted with the soft inflatable cuff positioned around the baby’s head.
OdonAssist was designed to minimise direct pressure on the scalp and maternal tissues that could be caused by forceps or a vacuum cup.
The Royal London Hospital started trialling use of it into the obstetric practice on its labour ward after in 2025, after the device successfully went through initial clinical trials in other parts of the UK and Europe.
To ensure staff understand how to use the device, a team carry out regular training sessions which include simulation training and supervised in practice.
Marcus Cabrera-Dandy, obstetric registrar and clinical research fellow who is also one of the trainers, said: "As clinicians, we may underestimate the emotional impact that marks on a newborn baby can have on parents during those precious first moments and we have seen how this device can help reduce bruising, swelling and other visible marks.
"We will continue our work to evaluate the device, and our aim is to safely incorporate it as an alternative to existing instruments for assisted vaginal birth."
A team from the BBC's Tech Now programme, visited The Royal London Hospital to speak to our maternity team about the benefits the new technology can bring to expectant mums. The programme is due to air during BBC Breakfast on September 12.
The use of OdonAssist is one way we are looking to improve our maternity services across Barts Health NHS Trust. Over the past year, we have implemented national safety initiatives across our services and were recognised as one of the most improved trusts in the country in the 2025 CQC maternity survey, showing that women are beginning to feel the positive impact of the changes we’re making.
You can read more about how we are improving maternity here and in our latest group plan.
Read more