Pregnancy is taxing on the body no matter what type of delivery the mother goes through, so the 6 weeks after birth are considered the normal maternal recovery period. Forceps deliveries generally follow the same timeline, as long as there are no complications.
If there are forceps delivery complications, the recovery period depends on the severity of the injury. A mother who has an episiotomy or experiences a vaginal tear may need stitches, but the stitches are typically dissolvable and break down within 2-4 weeks. More severe tears may require surgery, leading to a longer recovery period.
Minor bruises and cuts in babies tend to heal within a couple of days to a few weeks.
Unfortunately, babies won’t ever recover from permanent disabilities like cerebral palsy that may stem from forceps delivery complications.