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Forceps deliveries can lead to birth injuries

On Behalf of | Aug 3, 2018 | Birth Injuries

When you found out you were pregnant, it was one of the happiest, but scariest, moments of your life. You worried from the first day that something could go wrong with the pregnancy and that your child would end up with an injury.

People told you time and time again that everything was fine, even when you felt that something wasn’t okay. You ended up going into labor early, and that’s when you knew that mistakes were made. The doctor was late, and your child wasn’t in the right position. That led to the use of forceps that injured your child.

Birth positioning

It’s a reality that forceps are sometimes necessary during vaginal deliveries. In the case that a child is in a dangerous position, there is typically time for a medical provider to decide if forceps are wise compared to other options like an emergency Cesarean section. Forceps may be suggested if you are pushing but your child is not progressing through the birth canal. They may also be used if your child’s safety relies on an immediate delivery.

Keep in mind that there is a right way to use forceps and there is a wrong way. For the safest delivery, the mother should be pushing when the forceps are used to gently pull or guide the baby out of the birth canal. The forceps generally are not used as a way to dislodge a child or to rotate him or her for a better delivery position. In the case that forceps are not working or the baby still isn’t moving forward, then a C-section is the next step.

The risks

There are extreme risks to both the mother and baby in a forceps delivery. Forceps delivery is only acceptable if performed in a hospital where a C-section may be performed immediately, if necessary.

As a mother, it’s usually your right to decide if forceps or a C-section are better for your situation. Both are generally an option when a labor is stalled or when the baby or your health is at risk.

Negligent?

If you feel that your medical provider didn’t give you enough time to make a decision or was medically negligent in monitoring your condition, then you may be upset with the use of forceps, which can cause birth injuries when used incorrectly. Know your rights, so you can take steps to hold the provider accountable.

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