Vacuum Extraction During Delivery Can Cause Birth Injury

All the months of preparation for your new arrival cannot get you ready you for the heartbreak of a serious birth injury. There are many things that can go wrong during the delivery and many times the doctor, nurse or hospital is to blame. One of the common causes of birth injury is misused vacuum extraction.

Vacuum extraction is used as a method to assist during delivery. It is a tool used to help pull the baby through the birth canal. Vacuum extraction is used in approximately 10 percent of births nationwide in situations where there is concern for the health or safety of the mother or baby, the labor is not progressing as it should or the mother can no longer push.

The vacuum used for delivery assistance is actually a cup, made of plastic or metal, attached to a vacuum pump. The cup is placed on the baby’s head and the pump creates a seal needed to pull the baby out. The more rigid the cup, the greater the chance of success during the delivery. However, a stiffer cup can also cause injuries to the baby.

Even though vacuum extraction is commonly used by doctors, it can lead to serious birth injuries. Some of the birth injuries that have been associated with vacuum extraction include the following:

• Scalp abrasions, bruises or fractures
• Swelling of the brain
• Internal bleeding
• Jaundice
• Blood spots
• Erb’s palsy
• Cerebral palsy
• Shoulder dystocia
• Brachial plexus injury
• Retinal bleeding

When a doctor misuses a vacuum extractor or makes a poor decision that causes injury to your child, you may be able to hold them accountable. If your child has been injured by medical negligence, contact an experienced Louisville medical malpractice lawyer at Gray and White Law for a free consultation at 1-502-637-6000 / 1-800-637-6033.