Forceps Delivery Complications

Forceps can often offer much-needed assistance for the infant and mother.

However, forceps can also increase the risk of birth injuries when misused.

Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer immediately if you or your child suffered forceps delivery complications.

You may file a medical malpractice claim to help your family seek compensation for the damages associated with forceps delivery complications and medical negligence.

What is Operative Vaginal Delivery?

Operative vaginal delivery (OVD) is a type of vaginal delivery that involves the use of instruments, such as forceps or vacuum extractors, to assist in the birth of a baby. This method is typically employed when the baby is in a challenging position or when the mother encounters complications during labor. The primary goal of OVD is to facilitate a safe and successful vaginal delivery, thereby reducing the need for a cesarean section. By using these instruments, healthcare providers can help guide the baby through the birth canal, ensuring both the mother and baby have the best possible outcome.

Forceps Delivery Complications Later Life – Brain Injury

Using instruments to facilitate a vaginal birth delivery can significantly increase the risk of brain damage to the infant.

Forceps and vacuum delivery can increase the chance of brain damage when not used properly.

The infant’s head proves more vulnerable during delivery than at any other time.

During the delivery process, the infant’s skull compresses around the brain to make it possible for the infant to move through the birth canal.

The compression created by forceps on the baby’s head and other delivery assistance devices can increase the risk of damage to the brain.

Infant brain damage can cause long-term complications and uncertain health conditions.

Infants suffering brain damage during delivery may have a higher risk of cerebral palsy, mental disabilities, or long-term disability.

2. Erb’s Palsy

Forceps delivery can increase the risk that the infant will develop a brachial plexus injury: an injury to the network of nerves between the spinal cord and the arm.

Erb’s Palsy is one of the potential forceps delivery injuries.

Brachial plexus injuries can increase the risk of weakness or lack of movement in the affected arm.

It can also, for some infants, cause significant pain and serious injury.

Erb’s palsy, or the ongoing weakness in the affected limb, usually resolves within the first year of life..)

However, some patients may have longer-lasting symptoms, including some patients with mild to moderate weakness in the affected limb for much of the rest of their lives.

Parents may need to exercise care when caring for a child with Erb’s palsy.

Furthermore, children may need additional support and care to increase the odds that they will recover fully.

Facial nerve palsy is nerve damage to the baby’s face that leads to muscle weakness.

3. Skull Fractures

Misusing forceps can result in an increased risk of skull fracture during delivery.

Complications from forceps delivery can affect both the mother and the baby.

An infant with a skull fracture may have several potential problems, including increased irritability and crying or ongoing pain.

Skull fractures can increase the risk of brain injury and may require special care in the early days of the infant’s life.

In some cases, they may interfere significantly with the relationship between parent and child during those initial days of bonding.

4. Seizures

Fetal distress during childbirth can lead to the use of forceps, which can increase the infant’s risk of seizures.

Seizures can range from relatively minor to severe.

Over time, seizures can cause increasing brain damage, interfering with the child’s overall health, wellness, baby’s heart rate, fetal weight, and ability to function in society.

Seizures can last for a short time and resolve as the child ages, or they can continue for the rest of the child’s life.

5. Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when the infant’s shoulders get trapped during delivery, and it is a risk associated with operative vaginal deliveries, including forceps delivery.

During a forceps delivery, the obstetrician may need to apply careful downward pressure to help move the infant through the birth canal.

Not only can shoulder dystocia result in a brachial plexus injury if the doctor uses the forceps incorrectly, but it can also result in an increased risk of other injuries to the infant, including infant clavicle fracture, extremely heavy bleeding disorder for the mother or separation of the pubic bones.

Shoulder dystocia can also increase the risk of uterine rupture.

In extreme cases, shoulder dystocia can result in umbilical cord compression, which means the infant may not get adequate blood supply during delivery.

Lack of blood flow can lead to brain damage and many complications for the infant.

6. Vaginal or Rectal Tearing

A forceps delivery can significantly increase the risk of maternal complications, such as either vaginal or rectal tearing in the mother.

While vaginal tears commonly occur during childbirth, many women face several serious issues from it, including:

• Ongoing, serious injury pain

• Urinary incontinence

• Anal incontinence

• Increased blood loss during childbirth

• Delayed return to intercourse after childbirth

Some patients who experience vaginal tearing during childbirth may suffer long-term pain and other symptoms that interfere with sexual function and normal comfort.

Patients with an episiotomy, which doctors may recommend prior to a forceps delivery, may have more severe symptoms than those that tear naturally during childbirth.

7. Pelvic Organ Prolapse

A forceps delivery, a type of assisted vaginal delivery, can increase the risk of pelvic organ prolapse in the mother.

In a pelvic organ prolapse, the uterus will sag out of position, leading to poor body image, bowel or urinary incontinence, and sexual challenges.

Many patients find that the long-term impact of those symptoms can cause considerable emotional distress, especially if symptoms impact the sexual connection with their partner.

Medical Negligence and Forceps Delivery

Medical negligence during a forceps delivery can have serious consequences for both the mother and the baby. This occurs when healthcare providers fail to adhere to established protocols or use excessive force, leading to injuries. Examples of medical negligence in forceps delivery include:

• Failing to properly assess the mother’s pelvis and the baby’s position before attempting the procedure.

• Using forceps without adequate training or experience.

• Applying excessive force or traction during the delivery.

• Neglecting to monitor the baby’s heart rate and overall well-being throughout the process.

If medical negligence is suspected during a forceps delivery, it is crucial to seek legal advice. Both the mother and baby may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, helping to cover medical expenses and other associated costs.

Treatment and Recovery from Forceps Delivery

Following a forceps delivery, both the mother and baby require close monitoring and care to ensure a smooth recovery. Treatment for the mother may include pain management options such as epidural anesthesia or pain medication. For the baby, healthcare providers will closely monitor vital signs and overall well-being, addressing any birth injuries or complications like bruising or swelling.

Recovery from a forceps delivery can take several weeks. During this time, the mother may experience discomfort or pain, but with proper care and treatment, most mothers and babies can recover fully. Follow-up care is essential to ensure the mother’s uterus is contracting properly and to monitor for any signs of infection, ensuring a healthy recovery for both.

Improving Outcomes in Forceps Delivery

To enhance outcomes in forceps delivery, healthcare providers can implement several key practices:

• Ensure proper training and experience in the use of forceps.

• Conduct a thorough assessment of the mother’s pelvis and the baby’s position before attempting the procedure.

• Utilize proper technique and gentle traction during the delivery.

• Closely monitor the baby’s heart rate and well-being throughout the process.

• Collaborate with other healthcare providers, such as anesthesiologists and pediatricians, to ensure a safe and successful delivery.

By adhering to these practices, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of complications and improve outcomes for both mothers and babies undergoing forceps delivery.

What to Do After Forceps Delivery Birth Injuries

Doctors may need to carefully evaluate an operative vaginal delivery and the need for a forceps delivery and decide how to handle that need appropriately, in a way that will offer the best outcome for both the infant and mother.

If a forceps delivery is unsuccessful, it may necessitate a cesarean delivery to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

Additionally, vacuum delivery or vacuum extraction is another alternative assisted delivery method that can be considered alongside forceps delivery.

In some cases, doctors or healthcare professionals may misjudge: they may pull out forceps too early to move the delivery process along, even though the infant continues to do fine, or they might try a forceps delivery when other intervention, including a C-section, could offer the greatest benefit to the mother.

Furthermore, doctors with inadequate training or experience or who do not exercise adequate care or medical negligence may fail to use the forceps correctly, resulting in a child’s birth injury.

Contact Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyers if you have experienced a birth injury due to forceps, we provide free case evaluations to hear your case.