In heart disease, prophylactic forceps is applied at head station of:

**Core Concept**
Prophylactic forceps application is a critical decision in obstetric care, particularly in cases of heart disease. The primary concern is the potential for maternal mortality and morbidity due to cardiac complications. Forceps application at the correct station can mitigate these risks.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct station for prophylactic forceps application in cases of heart disease is the +2 station. This is because the +2 station allows for the shortest distance between the fetal head and the maternal pelvis, minimizing the risk of cardiac strain and potential complications. Additionally, the application of forceps at this station enables a more controlled delivery, which is crucial in cases where the mother has a compromised cardiac status.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This is incorrect because applying forceps at a station lower than +2 can lead to increased maternal cardiac strain and potential complications.
* **Option B:** This is incorrect because applying forceps at a station higher than +2 can cause unnecessary traction on the fetal head, leading to increased maternal cardiac workload.
* **Option C:** This is incorrect because there is no standard station for prophylactic forceps application in cases of heart disease, and this option does not provide a clear or safe solution.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In cases of heart disease, the application of prophylactic forceps at the +2 station should be considered to minimize maternal cardiac strain and potential complications.

**Correct Answer: D. +2 station**