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Birth injuries can happen. Our lawyers are here to answer your questions. Find out the facts on forceps and vacuum extractor injuries during birth.
Forceps, an instrument that looks a bit like a pair of tongs and is used to facilitate vaginal delivery, can cause birth injuries when incorrectly used. Physicians must be very careful to properly apply forceps and to not excessively press or pull on the baby’s head. As each contraction occurs, the obstetrician is supposed to…
Vacuum extractors are delivery instruments that may cause infant brain bleeds (intracranial hemorrhages). Sometimes, babies with brain bleeds have swelling and bruising of the head. However, in other cases, there are no external signs. Due to the potential for severe brain injury that can be caused by hemorrhages – especially subgaleal hemorrhages – early recognition…
Yes. Vacuum extractors are used frequently to assist in difficult births. When used correctly, a vacuum extractor can be a safe and effective solution when labor isn’t progressing, the mother has a health concern, or the baby is in distress. However, when not used properly, vacuum extractors can be very dangerous to the newborn. The…
When a baby is not progressing with the use of a vacuum extraction, the physician must be prepared to quickly change the plan and move to a C-section delivery. There are certain situations in which forceps can be used in place of vacuum extractors, but they should not be used sequentially, one after the other….
A vacuum extractor is a suction device sometimes used to deliver a baby. It is the duty of the physician to inform the mother of the risks of a vacuum extraction delivery, as well as the alternatives. Improper use of a vacuum extractor can result in birth injury. Birth injuries from vacuum extraction delivery Vacuum…
Most vaginal deliveries do not require assistive instruments, but there are cases in which labor alone cannot move the baby through the birth canal in a timely fashion. Physicians can first attempt to reposition the mother during delivery to try to move the baby down the birth canal. If this is ineffective, most physicians use vacuum extractors to avoid a C-section or…
Forceps and vacuum extractors are used when vaginal delivery is not progressing as it should, there is a maternal health concern, or there is fetal distress (1). When physicians follow medical standards and use forceps and vacuum extractors correctly, these devices can help to safely deliver a baby. However, many physicians lack experience or are…
