A pair of obstetric forceps is described. The forceps comprise a pair of blades for holding the head of a baby and a handle having at least one part by which a user can apply a pulling force on the head of the baby in use. A mechanically operated force indicator is connected to the at least one part of the handle and is operable to provide a visual indication of the amount of pulling force being applied to the head of the baby when a user applies a pulling force on the head of the baby in use. A mechanically operated disabling device is operable to at least partially disable the obstetric forceps when a maximum pulling force has been exceeded. The blades can each have a superior rim and inferior rim wherein the greatest separation between the superior rims is greater than the greatest separation between the inferior rims when the obstetric forceps are in a closed configuration so that the blades adopt the form of an at least partially bowl shape.