Forceps Delivery – A Life Threatening Procedure

According to ancient Sanskrit, Egyptian and Greek writings, for over thousand of years, people have used forceps for the vaginal delivery of babies. In modern times, forceps delivery is one of the two operative or assisted delivery methods used. Although, commonly used in past few decades, it is less frequently used today, accounting for about three percent of vaginal deliveries. Since 1980’s vacuum deliveries have been the choice of assisted deliveries.

Based on the following indications concerning the baby, mother or both, doctors take the decision for using assisted delivery (vacuum or forceps):

• Abnormally positioned baby
• Maternal factors such as pulmonary or heart disease, bleeding or exhaustion
• Potential or immediate distress for the baby

If any of these above mentioned conditions exists then doctors should immediately assess other medical pre-requisites and criteria before opting for forceps (the baby’s cervix should be completely dilated, know the position of head, head must be engaged and so on). One of the most important pre requisites to use forceps is a practitioner skilled with technique and tool, and trained at managing and recognizing potential complications. It includes knowing other procedures like cesarean delivery and knowing when to stop the procedure.

Doctors perform forceps delivery using a metal instrument, just like a tong that has rounded handles and edges. Different type of birth injuries can occur to the baby and maternal injury can occur in the case of forceps delivery. This risk of developing injury increases further when a doctor uses inappropriate technique.

Injuries to the Baby

Fetal complications related with forceps delivery include the following:

• Skull fractures
• Cephalohematomas
• Facial lacerations or bruises
• Intracranial hemorrhage
• Facial nerve injuries

Injuries to the Mother

Maternal complications refer to those complications that arise at the time of delivery and other long-term complications. The risk for complications increases in the women giving birth to their first child. Maternal injuries include the following:

• Intrapartum rupture of the uterus
• Increased blood loss
• rectal tearing, extensions of episiotomies and rectal sphincter damage
• Hematomas
• Lacerations to the perineum, cervix, vagina or bladder

According to doctors, late complications occur due to organ and tissue trauma in the pelvic area occurred at delivery including the following:

• Fecal incontinence (from injury to the rectal sphincter)
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Urinary stress incontinence (physical activity that causes urinary loss in the abdominal area like sit ups, coughing and sneezing)

There has been decline in the forceps delivery over the past few decades. Fetal outcome depends upon several factors. One of the most important factors is the efficiency and skill of the medical team involved in performing the surgery. For the pregnant women, there can be long-term effect on the pelvic areas integrity. Due to this, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advocates and advises women to opt for cesarean section on demand to protect their pelvic musculature.

If your baby developed any injury during forceps birth then you may have a legal lawsuit or claim. Contact an experienced birth injury lawyer who will help you in evaluating your claim and file a lawsuit so that you may receive some monetary compensation for the pain and sufferings.