Originally published May 20, 2019.

Everyone hopes for an easy childbirth, but sometimes there are complications, and assistive devices such as forceps or vacuum extractors may need to be used.

Unfortunately, there are still risks when using an assistive method during childbirth. For the first few months of life, a baby’s skull is very soft as the bone plates have not yet fully fused together. A baby’s scalp can also sustain damage such as bruising and even disfigurement due to not being as strong as that of an adult. As a result, injuries and forcep scars or marks can occur when methods such as forceps or vacuum extraction are used to help with vaginal deliveries.

Injuries Resulting from Forceps Delivery

Forceps delivery can sometimes result in injuries to both the mother and the baby. For the baby, injuries such as facial palsy, brain damage, and scarring can occur. Forceps have been used to assist in births for hundreds of years. They are a set of curved tongs made of metal that are used to grasp either side of a baby’s head so that the doctor can gently pull the baby through the mother’s birth canal. Medical professionals must ensure an accurate diagnosis of any potential injuries, as prompt treatment is essential for proper healing and ensuring enough oxygen reaches the affected areas to prevent complications like blood circulation issues. Scarring and scar tissue formation are extremely common outcomes that need to be managed carefully.

Forceps marks from injuries can occur to the infant baby when forceps are used to assist delivery. The most common are abrasions or bruising to the scalp. If the user of the forceps applies too much pressure to the baby’s skull, there may be noticeable indentations. Normally, these injuries are only cosmetic and can clear up in days or weeks following the birth. However, in severe cases, the injuries can be disfiguring and permanent. One of the most serious types of injuries a baby can suffer due to a forceps delivery is bleeding or swelling inside the baby’s skull, which can result in brain injury to the baby. Skull fractures, damage to the baby’s facial nerves, and trauma to the baby’s face or eyes can also occur.

Injuries Resulting from Vacuum Extraction

Two types of vacuum extraction are commonly used: the metal cup and soft cup methods. While the metal cup method tends to be more reliable, it can cause more trauma to a baby’s scalp. The soft cup method is gentler but has a higher risk of detaching during vacuum extraction.

Both types of cups, along with the process of extraction itself, can carry a risk of minor injury.

  • The area where the cup attaches to the baby’s scalp can result in bruising and disfigurement if the level of pressure and suction are not monitored carefully.
  • The cup’s insertion can also cause an injury to the mother if the doctor is careless.

Other serious risks that can arise from vacuum extraction include:

  • Higher risk of hemorrhaging of the scalp (subgaleal hemorrhaging), which can lead to seizures, anemia, shock and even death.
  • Higher risk of retinal injuries due to pressure, which can cause vision problems in the infant.
  • Risk of stretched nerves along the infant’s neck, which can cause permanent nerve injury, including Erb’s palsy or brachial plexus injury.

Learn More About Common Birth Injuries

If you would like to learn more about birth injuries stemming from forceps and vacuums during the delivery process, we encourage you to check out the following resources:

Wagner Reese Stands with Families Impacted by Birth Injury

For mothers undergoing childbirth, your doctor should always explain if forceps or vacuum extraction during delivery becomes necessary, the risks associated with each method, and the alternatives available. Clinicians should always strive to limit the risk of injury to the baby and mother.

If you are located in Indiana, recently gave birth, and your child suffered forceps or vacuum extraction injuries, call our experienced Indiana medical malpractice attorneys. A medical malpractice case can recover compensation for your baby’s medical expenses and ongoing care. Contact Wagner Reese to discuss options to protect your rights and those of your child.