Wounds in pregnant women and babies during labor and delivery are common.  As with any other procedure of either delivery, be it normal or cesarean, there are risks associated with vacuum-assisted delivery too.

In most cases, the vacuum-assisted delivery method is adopted for avoiding cesarean delivery and to prevent fetal agony. If performed appropriately, vacuum-assisted delivery is less risky and the baby and the mother may have fewer problems. While delivery by vacuum extraction is one of the accepted methods, it can be very risky too.

If the doctor is even slightly negligent, the mother and the baby may be the victim of a catastrophic injury.

Vacuum Extraction

In a vacuum- assisted delivery method, soft cup is applied to the top and back of the baby’s head. A tube is attached to the cup and the vacuum pump for providing suction. During the process, the doctor applies mild traction to the head of the baby and the suction from the vacuum helps in driving the baby out.

While it is a helpful tool for delivery, various birth traumas may occur if this process goes wrong. If the treatment goes wrong, it’s important to prove doctor’s negligence for getting compensation. If you are the victim of your doctor’s negligence, you must immediately contact your medical malpractice lawyer for the best guidance.

Vacuum-extraction delivery should be avoided when:

Ideally, vacuum delivery should be avoided when the fetus is below 34 weeks of gestation or the mother's pelvis is very small or the baby is relatively big. This method is not appropriate also when the baby needs repositioning or rotation for coming out, or if the mother is not completely expanded. A cesarean delivery (C-section) is recommended in such instances.

In most of the cases, the doctors cannot identify the position of the baby for safe vacuum-assisted delivery. If your baby or you faced any injury due to the doctor’s negligence, you have a medical malpractice case, and need to seek the help of a medical malpractice lawyer.

Potential risks as a result of a vacuum-assisted delivery method

Several birth injuries may occur if the doctor is negligent during a vacuum extraction delivery method. Common injuries include Skull fractures, Brain hemorrhage or permanent brain damage, Retinal hemorrhages, Seizures, Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), Cerebral Palsy, Brachial plexus injuries or slight injuries.

Symptoms such as seizures and exhaustion may happen within few hours of the vacuum-extraction and may result in serious brain injury. If your child has sustained permanent birth damage due to incorrect use of vacuum, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer for accurate guidance.

Your doctor may suggest vacuum extraction if:

Labor isn't progressing despite your effort- Despite pushing continuously for hours if labor still isn’t progressing; the mother and the bay may get tired causing other birth-related problems.

If the heartbeats of the baby suggest a problem- If your doctor identifies alterations in your baby's heartbeat, vacuum extraction may be adopted.

Other medical concern in the mother- If you have specific health problems related to heart, your doctor may want to limit the period you push.

In the process of delivery, the doctor must exercise care irrespective of the delivery method. If vacuum-extraction is the best option available, your doctor must explain the benefits and risks associated and seek your permission before progressing. Contact your malpractice lawyers, if the doctor hasn’t exercised caution during your baby’s delivery.

At the Law Offices of Alvin de Levie, we offer you a free consultation with the best medical malpractice lawyers in PA, contact us at 844-777-2529.