Is there a risk of injury to using forceps during delivery?

While using forceps during a birth (assisted birth) can generally be considered fairly safe, there are risks involved when the doctor misuses the forceps, causing either head trauma or cervical spine injuries to the baby. Proper medical procedures must be followed when using forceps during childbirth or the risk of injury increases. Forceps must sometimes be used in order to safely deliver a large baby who is in the breech position, when the baby is in fetal distress or after a prolonged labor. The structure of forceps allows them to clamp on either side of the baby’s head, giving the doctor a more steady grip, however the doctor must take care to shelter the skull, causing facial nerve damage, skull fractures, cerebral palsy or cervical spine injuries.

The sheer force of labor and delivery can, in themselves, occasionally cause physical injury to the baby, however most of the time all turns out well. Even when forceps must be used, the majority of the time, there will be no physical after-effects for the baby. There are times, however, when the doctor is negligent in his duties regarding using the forceps in a safe and responsible manner, and these times can cause injury and lifelong physical problems for your child.

Contact an Attorney

If you have recently given birth and your baby suffered injuries due to the improper use of forceps during delivery, you should consult an experienced attorney who can discuss your options, and make sure you get a second medical opinion as well. During this extremely stressful time in your life, a skilled attorney can ease a bit of your stress and get you the financial compensation you deserve.