The arrival of a new baby brings immense joy and excitement to families across Louisiana. But beneath this happiness lies the reality that childbirth carries significant risks.
When doctors must intervene with delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors, even small mistakes can lead to life-altering injuries for your newborn.
Common injuries from assisted delivery tools
When medical professionals use forceps or vacuum extractors incorrectly, they can cause harm to your baby:
- Skull fractures: Excessive force with forceps can crack a baby’s delicate skull, potentially causing brain damage.
- Facial nerve damage: Improper forceps placement may compress facial nerves, causing facial paralysis or Bell’s palsy.
- Cephalohematoma: Vacuum extractors can rupture blood vessels and create pools of blood under the skin, creating painful swelling.
- Subgaleal hemorrhage: This dangerous bleeding between the scalp and skull can cause severe brain damage or death.
- Brachial plexus injuries: Forceps misuse during difficult deliveries can damage the nerve network controlling arm and hand movement.
Most of these injuries often require extensive medical care and may cause permanent disabilities affecting your child’s development and quality of life.
How these tools can cause injuries
Delivery tools require precise training and careful judgment. Injuries typically occur when doctors:
- Apply excessive force
- Use tools for too long
- Choose the wrong tool for the situation
- Position instruments incorrectly
Medical professionals must weigh maternal exhaustion before using any tools. It’s also important to check for fetal distress, which can raise the risk of injuries when using tools.
Rushing decisions or failing to recognize when cesarean delivery offers a safer alternative commonly leads to preventable injuries.
Proving negligence in birth tool injury cases
Birth injuries from forceps or vacuum extractors often stem directly from medical negligence during crucial moments. Proving these cases requires extensive medical documentation, expert testimony, and clear evidence of deviation from standard protocols.
Lee M. Schwalben, M.D., J.D., LLC, brings unique insight to these complex cases, using his dual experience as both a medical doctor and attorney. If you suspect any injuries during delivery, contact 337-557-8377 today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step to secure compensation needed for your child’s care and future.