Childbirth can be an exceptionally stressful, if also potentially joyous time in a family’s life. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals dedicate their careers to providing the necessary care and attention throughout the entire process, from the initial pregnancy to post-natal care. A considerable percentage of that effort is dedicated to the hours — or days, in some cases — of the actual delivery, and there are numerous ways they can help facilitate the process. While the use of cesarean sections (C-sections) has steadily risen over the past few decades, experts are concerned with its prevalence and are starting to recommend returning to assisted births.
An assisted birth, also called instrumental delivery, is when either forceps or a vacuum extractor are used to help move the infant through the birth canal. Forceps are a set of smooth metal instruments that look similar to kitchen tongs or large spoons that are curved to fit around a baby’s head in the birth canal. There are different types of these instruments that can be used depending on the position of the infant during birth and are used to assist through gently pulling along with contractions and pushing during the birthing process.
The vacuum extractor works by placing a plastic or metal cup connected to a suction device on the infant’s head. With a proper seal, it will fit firmly and work in a similar way to forceps by allowing the attending medical professional to gently pull alongside pushing and contractions. This tool is rarely used when someone is giving birth at less than 36 weeks pregnant due to the relative softness of the infant’s head at that point in the pregnancy.
Assisted births are relatively rare, making up just 3.1% of all births in the United States. It is most commonly employed when:
- Labor is not progressing despite continuing to push
- The mother is exhausted and cannot push anymore
- A preexisting health condition — high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. — limits how much the mother can push
- The infant has an abnormal heart rate, and delivery needs to be sped up
While the majority of assisted births result in a healthy child with minimal complications, both forceps and vacuum extractors have been shown to increase the risk of birth injuries when used. Some of the increased risk of birth injuries is tied to the fact that requiring outside assistance can indicate preexisting problems, but there is also a potential risk of misuse of the tools that can place both the mother and infant’s health at risk. Some of the most common birth injuries caused to infants by forceps and vacuum extractors include:
- Skull fractures
- Broken bones
- Brain damage
- Bruising and lacerations
- Intracranial hematoma (internal bleeding in the skull)
- Shoulder dystocia (shoulders becoming stuck in the birth canal causing possible nerve damage)
- Cerebral palsy
- Erb’s palsy
Some of the most common birth injuries caused to mothers during an assisted birth include:
- Blood loss
- Blood clots
- Incontinence
- Pelvic pain
- Vaginal tears
- Infection
If you or your child was seriously injured because of the improper use of assisted delivery tools, you may be able to seek compensation to cover the associated medical bills, rehabilitation, long-term treatment, and more. At Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC, our Wichita birth injury lawyers understand just how devastating these situations can be and are dedicated to providing our clients with the skillful and knowledgeable representation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can assist you.
