Birth Injuries Caused by Vacuum-Assisted Delivery

If your child has suffered a birth injury caused by vacuum extraction, call our Dallas lawyers at (214) 651-6100.

Vacuum-assisted deliveries can cause a variety of birth injuries. Sometimes the procedure is performed unnecessarily, but like all assisted deliveries, there are times when a physician may feel it’s imperative in order to avoid further injury such as hypoxia.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of a vacuum extraction (also referred to as "ventouse" or vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery) to facilitate delivery has the potential to cause unnecessary risk to the health of the baby. Some of the factors to consider before using this method of delivery include the following:

• Clinical guidelines do not recommend vacuum extraction before 34 gestational weeks.
• The baby should not be too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis.
• The head of the baby should not be too far in the birth canal.
• The baby should not need to be repositioned for a proper delivery.
• The mother needs to be completely dilated and ready to deliver.

While the injuries can vary based on the use of the vacuum extractor, some of the injuries that can occur include the following:

• Hemorrhages of the retina
• Skull fractures
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Cerebral palsy
• Hemorrhages in the brain

Some of these conditions (especially if untreated) can lead to life-long conditions such as paralysis and intellectual disability. Some of the conditions can even lead to wrongful death if not properly and effectively treated.

Identifying injuries related to vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery.

The symptoms of different injuries will vary based on the injury itself. For instance, the symptoms of an injury to the brachial plexus nerves will differ from those you would find in a skull fracture. On the other hand, since the majority of these injuries are related to either the brain or head, lethargy and seizures are the most common symptoms. These symptoms can occur within hours of delivery.

Do I have a potential birth injury lawsuit?

The potential injuries from ventouse delivery are often completely preventable. In some cases, the mother can request the use of forceps in place of a vacuum extractor, while at other times the mother has the right to ask the doctor where the baby is in the delivery process before she consents to the use of a vacuum extractor.

If your child suffered a birth injury following a poorly-executed vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, our firm can help you seek the money damages to which your child is entitled. Our firm has extensive experience handling birth injuries, and can work with you to resolve your case without any out-of-pocket cost to you. To speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers, email us using the contact form found on this page or call our office (toll-free) at (214) 651-6100.