Forceps, a medical tool resembling large tongs, are often used during childbirth to assist with delivery when complications arise. While they can be lifesaving in certain situations, the improper or negligent use of forceps can cause serious harm to both the mother and the child.
Understanding the risks and your rights as a parent is crucial if forceps-assisted delivery results in injury. The skilled Michigan birth injury attorneys at Fieger Law can help you hold the negligent provider accountable and seek compensation for you and your child’s future.
What Are Forceps, and When Are They Used?
Forceps are medical instruments designed to guide a baby’s head through the birth canal during delivery. They have curved, spoon-like ends, a locking mechanism, and handles carefully designed to safely grasp and maneuver the baby’s head.
Although used in only about 1.1% of vaginal births, providers may consider using forceps when:
- The baby shows signs of distress and needs to be delivered quickly.
- The mother is too exhausted to continue pushing.
- There are complications, such as an abnormal fetal position or prolonged labor.
While forceps can provide critical assistance, their use requires specialized training. Improper application or excessive force can result in devastating consequences for both the mother and the baby.
If your family has experienced complications from a forceps-assisted delivery, speak with our birth injury attorneys at Fieger Law. We can evaluate your case and help you hold the negligent provider accountable.
Risks and Complications for the Baby
Forceps-assisted deliveries pose unique risks to newborns, as their delicate bodies are vulnerable to trauma. Potential injuries include:
Injury | Explanation |
Facial Injuries | Forceps can leave marks, bruises, or lacerations on the baby’s face, which, while sometimes temporary, can cause long-term scarring. |
Nerve Damage | Excessive pressure during delivery may damage facial nerves, leading to conditions like facial paralysis or brachial plexus injuries. |
Skull Fractures and Brain Injuries | In severe cases, the misuse of forceps can cause skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, or other traumatic head injuries, which can have life-altering consequences. |
Developmental Delays | Brain injuries sustained during birth may lead to developmental delays or conditions such as cerebral palsy. |
Did forceps misuse lead to your baby’s injuries during delivery? Let Fieger Law review your case and advocate for the compensation your child deserves.
Risks and Complications for the Mother
The mother is also at risk of injury during a forceps-assisted delivery. These tools, while effective, can cause trauma if misused. Common complications include:
Injury | Explanation |
Vaginal and Perineal Tears | Forceps can cause severe lacerations or tears to the vaginal and perineal area, leading to pain, infections, and longer recovery times.
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Hemorrhage | Improper forceps use can result in excessive bleeding during or after childbirth, which can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. |
Pelvic Organ Damage | The application of forceps may damage pelvic organs, increasing the risk of conditions such as incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. |
Suffering harm during delivery can be devastating. Let Fieger Law’s experienced birth injury attorneys support you; we can assess damages caused by forceps misuse and negotiate a settlement to ease your financial and emotional burden.
The Role of Medical Professionals
Forceps-assisted deliveries require skill, precision, and good decision-making. It can take hundreds of deliveries to develop the skills necessary to manage complications for both mother and baby safely. These procedures also require a pediatrician to be present for immediate care.
However, doctors who lack proper training may misuse forceps or fail to recognize potential risks, resulting in serious consequences. Negligence in forceps-assisted deliveries may involve:
- Applying excessive force during delivery.
- Failing to monitor the baby’s position before using forceps.
- Ignoring warning signs of complications.
- Using forceps despite contraindications
- Delaying necessary interventions, such as a C-section.
- Improperly positioning forceps, causing injury to the baby or mother.
If you believe negligence played a role in your forceps-assisted delivery, our birth injury lawyers offer compassionate legal guidance. We can collect medical records and consult with experts to help you understand what happened and receive financial support for your family.
Legal Recourse for Birth Injuries Caused by Forceps
If you or your baby suffered harm during a forceps-assisted delivery, legal options may be available. Negligence, such as improper forceps use or failure to manage complications, could warrant a medical malpractice claim to hold the provider accountable and seek compensation for medical bills, ongoing care, and emotional pain.
The qualified birth injury lawyers at Fieger Law have the expertise to represent you in a medical malpractice claim. From investigating your case to fighting for fair compensation, we protect your family’s interests against aggressive hospital insurers.
Here’s what you can do to start your case:
- Write down what happened during and after the delivery, including any complications or concerns raised by the medical team.
- Gather medical records related to the delivery and any follow-up treatments.
- Contact a birth injury attorney at Fieger Law to review your case.
- Consult expert witnesses who can assess whether negligence occurred.
- Let your lawyer negotiate a settlement or represent you in court to pursue full compensation.
Protect Your Family With Help From Fieger Law
Forceps-assisted deliveries can save lives but also carry major risks when mishandled. If you or your child experienced harm due to forceps use during childbirth, you don’t have to face this situation alone.
At Fieger Law, our Michigan birth injury attorneys have the experience and resources to hold negligent medical professionals responsible. We have won substantial settlements for families in similar situations, including one of the largest ever awarded in the nation.
Contact us today for a free consultation. With experience handling cases nationwide, we can help your family get financial support and peace of mind.