A vacuum extractor is a medical device used in assisted childbirth that uses a suction cup attached to a pump to help deliver a baby during a vaginal birth. It consists of a soft cup that is applied to the baby's head, creating suction, and a handle used by the doctor or midwife to apply gentle traction while coordinating with the mother's pushes. The device is used to help the baby move through the birth canal when the mother needs assistance, and it is an alternative to forceps delivery.