The improper use of forceps during childbirth is a well-known cause of serious birth injuries like cerebral palsy. Forceps are metal tongs designed to grip the baby’s head and guide it through the birth canal. While forceps can be a necessary tool in certain complicated deliveries, they must be used with extreme caution and skill by the attending physician.
If medical negligence harmed your child, you have the right to recover compensation. A forceps delivery injury lawyer will help you file a strong claim against the negligent party.
Understanding Forceps Delivery
Forceps delivery is a type of assisted vaginal delivery in which a pair of spoon-shaped instruments, called forceps, are used to help guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal. The forceps consist of two blades that are carefully inserted into the vagina and positioned around the baby’s head.
These blades are then locked together to form a firm grip, allowing the healthcare provider to pull the baby while the mother gently pushes during contractions. Proper technique and skill are crucial to ensure that the forceps are applied correctly to avoid injury to both the mother and the baby. A birth injury lawyer can determine if the forceps delivery procedure was executed correctly.
When Are Forceps Used
Forceps delivery is typically indicated in situations where the health of the mother or baby may be at risk if the delivery is not expedited. This medical approach can be a crucial intervention to facilitate a safe and timely birth, but there are also risks of forceps delivery. A medical professional must correctly assess the situation and determine when this is the right course of action.
Forceps may be used to deliver babies in the following scenarios:
- Fetal distress
- Prolonged labor
- Maternal exhaustion
- Certain medical conditions preventing prolonged pushing
- Large baby relative to mother’s pelvis
- Ineffective contractions despite full dilation
Before the procedure, medical professionals should explain the risks of forceps delivery to the mother. If they fail to do so, this could be considered negligence. The use of forceps during delivery needs your consent.
When Forceps Should Not Be Used
While forceps delivery can be a valuable tool in assisting childbirth, there are specific situations where their use is not recommended due to the potential risks and complications. The improper use of forceps increases the risk of birth injury and health complications later in life.
Forceps should not be used to deliver a baby under the following circumstances:
- Baby’s head is not engaged in the pelvis
- The cervix is not fully dilated
- Cephalopelvic disproportion
- Presence of certain fetal health issues
- Presence of certain maternal health issues
- Active maternal genital herpes infection
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
How Can Forceps Delivery Cause a Birth Injury?
Mistakes or excessive force during a forceps delivery can lead to traumatic injuries to the infant. The pressure and twisting motion of the forceps can deprive the baby’s brain of oxygen, resulting in a condition called birth asphyxia. This oxygen deprivation can then cause lasting developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy.
Common medical errors that can lead to a forceps birth injury include:
- Incorrect placement of forceps
- Excessive force or traction
- Failure to recognize and manage fetal distress
- Delayed decision to switch to a cesarean section
- Inadequate assessment of maternal pelvic size and shape
- Misjudging the baby’s head position
Families may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit if an improper forceps delivery by the doctor caused their child’s birth injuries. Securing compensation through legal action can help provide the lifelong care these children will require.
Common Types of Birth Injuries Caused by Forceps Delivery
It can be difficult to determine what caused a child’s birth injury. However, it is important to identify the cause and the at-fault party to seek compensation. A birth injury lawyer will investigate your case and help you fight for justice.
Medical negligence during forceps delivery could cause the following birth injuries:
- Facial lacerations: Facial lacerations can occur when the metal blades of the forceps accidentally cut the baby’s delicate facial skin during the procedure. These cuts can range from minor scratches to deeper wounds that may require stitches.
- Permanent scarring: If these lacerations are severe, they can lead to permanent scarring, which can affect the child’s appearance and potentially cause emotional and psychological distress later in life.
- Erb’s palsy: During a forceps-assisted delivery, if the forceps are applied incorrectly or too much force is used to pull the baby through the birth canal, the baby’s neck and shoulder may experience significant strain. This strain can damage the brachial plexus nerves. An Erb’s palsy lawyer will investigate the case.
- Eye injuries: The pressure and incorrect placement of the forceps near the baby’s eyes can cause trauma to the ocular structures, leading to vision problems. This can include damage to the eye itself or surrounding nerves.
- Nerve damage: When the forceps exert excessive pressure on the delicate cranial and facial nerves, this can cause compression, stretching, or even tearing of these nerves, leading to immediate and long-term complications.
Forceps birth injuries are common grounds to file a medical malpractice. Depending on the severity of your child’s condition, you may face steep medical bills and a lifetime of expenses to manage their condition.
Experienced birth injury attorneys will consider the immediate financial impact and forceps delivery complications later in life to ensure you file a comprehensive claim. They may even collaborate with experts from different fields to estimate your future losses.
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Taking Legal Action After Forceps Birth Trauma
If your baby experienced problems after a forceps delivery, you might have a valid medical malpractice claim. A birth injury lawyer will build a strong claim on your behalf so you can recover the compensation you need to secure a better life for your child.
Birth Injury Lawyers Group is dedicated to fighting for families like yours. Since we opened our law firm in 2003, we have secured over $750 million for our clients. Call us today to discuss a legal strategy and learn how to manage the side effects of forceps delivery on your baby.
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