In various embodiments of the invention, a vacuum pump can be used as a stand alone unit to create, monitor and control a vacuum in a variety of surgical procedures. The vacuum pump can be controlled by a processor and automatically increases or decreases the vacuum based on monitoring of parameters selected from the group consisting of heart-rate of the fetus, heart rate of the mother, heart rate of patient, blood pressure of the fetus, blood pressure of the mother and blood pressure of the patient, position of the wound, position of the fetus, condition of the fetus, condition of the mother, condition of the patient. Visual or audio feedback is used to allow the care giver increased control of the pumping device while carrying out the procedure.
