Birth Injuries from Forceps or Vacuum Deliveries

Labor and delivery don’t always progress smoothly. During a difficult delivery, doctors may use tools such as forceps and vacuum extractors to assist the process. When used correctly, these instruments can save the life of a baby stuck in the birth canal or in distress. However, they can cause serious injuries if used improperly or with too much force.

What Are Forceps and Vacuum Extractors?

Forceps look like large, curved metal tongs. They are usually placed around the baby’s head to help guide the baby through the birth canal if the natural progression of labor has stalled or the baby is stuck. Doctors can also use them to deliver a baby from a breech (feet-first) position or rotate it into a better position for labor, such as when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone (shoulder dystocia).

In the U.S., forceps are only used in approximately .5% of deliveries. Healthcare providers must be specially trained to use them correctly and safely. Current professional standards only recommend their use in certain specific circumstances by trained practitioners. Before using forceps, your delivery team must obtain your informed consent. This includes explaining how the doctor will use the tool, the risks associated with forceps use, and other options that may be available.

Using a vacuum extractor is another way to assist natural childbirth if labor stalls. This tool attaches with a suction cup to the baby’s head, gently pulling while the mother pushes. Vacuum extraction is used in about 3% of U.S. births. Although vacuum extraction is generally less risky than using forceps, it’s still crucial for your obstetrician to be appropriately trained and to obtain your informed consent before using them.

Both forceps and vacuum extraction-assisted deliveries require careful performance, precise timing, and sound judgment. Improperly using either method, using too much force, or using the tools for too long can cause injury. A doctor’s decision to use these tools rather than performing a cesarean section may also be negligent. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will work with independent experts to review the facts of your case and determine whether you may have a malpractice claim.

Common Injuries From Forceps or Vacuum Deliveries

While forceps are designed to cradle and protect a baby’s head, they can still cause injuries, especially if a doctor is inadequately trained or inexperienced in their use. While vacuum extractors are generally safer, they can still cause serious injuries. Common birth injuries related to forceps and vacuum extractors include:

• Lacerations and bruising. Forceps may cut or bruise a newborn’s delicate skin or cause mild to severe bruising.
• Facial nerve injuries. A facial nerve injury happens when pressure from forceps damages the nerves that control facial movement. Signs include drooping on one side of the face, difficulty closing one eye, or issues moving part of the mouth. Most mild injuries heal within a few weeks or months with conservative treatment and physical therapy. However, severe damage can cause lasting weakness or asymmetry and may require surgery.
• Cephalohematoma. Delivery assistance tools can increase the risk of blood pooling between the baby’s skull and scalp, usually due to pressure or trauma during delivery. You may see a soft, swollen bump on the baby’s head, which usually appears a few hours after birth. Most cephalohematomas resolve within a few weeks without special treatment, but larger ones can lead to complications like anemia, jaundice, or infection.
• Intracranial hemorrhage (brain bleed). Blood vessels inside the baby’s skull can rupture, causing bleeding in or around the brain. This condition can range in severity from small bleeds that heal without long-term problems to extensive hemorrhages that cause permanent brain damage. Symptoms include seizures, poor feeding, breathing difficulties, lethargy, and unresponsiveness; doctors may perform an MRI or CT scan to confirm the condition. Treatment can consist of medication to control swelling and prevent seizures; sometimes surgery is necessary to reduce the pressure.

In addition to increasing the risk of injury to the baby, using forceps and vacuum extractors can increase the risk of maternal injuries. Doctors may perform an episiotomy to allow them to properly position and use the tools, which can significantly increase recovery time and long-term complications for the mother.

When Birth Injuries May Be Medical Malpractice

Not every injury to a child or mother during childbirth is caused by malpractice. However, medical professionals must use the care, skill, and knowledge expected of their profession. Doctors delivering a child must meet the accepted standard of care for obstetrics professionals. If a doctor’s failure to live up to those standards caused a permanent, long-term injury, you might have a claim. 

Many forceps and vacuum-related injuries are preventable. Failing to use appropriate care when using these tools may be negligence. Some examples of negligent care include:

• Applying excessive force.
• Attempting a vacuum or forceps-assisted delivery when a C-section would have been safer.
• Failing to appropriately monitor fetal distress or positioning before using instruments.
• Improperly positioning forceps.
• Applying the vacuum incorrectly, for too long, or too many times.
• Using both vacuum and forceps in the same delivery.

Talk to an experienced Michigan malpractice attorney if you believe that medical negligence caused injuries to you or your child. 

Our Michigan Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help

A Michigan medical malpractice lawsuit can help families recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past, ongoing, and future medical care).
• Pain and suffering.
• Long-term therapy and rehabilitation.
• Special assistance or education needs.
• Loss of future earning capacity for severe injuries.

Sometimes birth injuries are unavoidable. In other cases, preventable mistakes cause tragic outcomes. An experienced Michigan medical malpractice attorney will work with medical experts to determine whether your provider’s actions fell below the standard of care. They can help you stand up to negligent hospitals and doctors and hold them accountable for their actions.

Contact Sommers Schwartz, P.C.

If your child suffered an injury during a forceps or vacuum-assisted birth in Michigan, you don’t have to go through this alone. Talking with a knowledgeable birth injury attorney can help you understand what happened and what your family’s legal options are. Our compassionate team of medical malpractice attorneys has decades of experience championing the rights of Michigan families. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.