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Denver Forceps and Vacuum Extraction Injury Attorneys



We Represent Children Injured by Birth-Assisting Tools

Most expectant mothers hope that their childbirth experience will happen naturally and with just a few pushes. Natural vaginal birth is usually the preferred option. But during a natural birth, some assistance may be necessary.

Forceps and vacuum extractors are devices that can be helpful in the birth process. But if used by an unskilled doctor or in a negligent manner, they can become extremely dangerous to the health of the baby and the mother.

If a baby is showing signs of distress, birth-assisting tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors may be used to help deliver the baby more quickly. Signs of fetal distress include:

  • Abnormal heart rate
  • Oxygen deprivation
  • Decreased or no fetal movement
  • Abnormal levels of amniotic fluid

A physician must know which situations call for an assisted birth and which call for a C-section. They must not put their patients at needless risk. When used improperly, these tools present a risk of major trauma to the baby, ranging from brain swelling to skull fractures and brain damage.

If your child was injured due to incompetent use of birth-assisting tools, please contact the top Denver birth injury attorneys at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. We have handled hundreds of these cases across the United States, and we know the most effective ways to get compensation from negligent medical providers. Call (303) 759-9945 for a no-cost initial consultation.

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How Do Forceps Work?

Forceps are a metal instrument that look similar to tongs. Forceps hold the baby’s skull while applying enough pressure to help the baby pass through the birth canal. When a mother is pushing, a doctor can use forceps along with her contractions to help pull out the baby.

Forceps and vacuum extraction are not recommended in the following situations:

  • When the head has not passed the midpoint of the birth canal
  • When the woman is less than 34 weeks pregnant
  • When the position of the baby’s head is uncertain
  • When the baby has a condition such as osteogenesis that weakens bone strength
  • When the baby’s head is not leading the way down the birth canal

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How Vacuum Extraction Works

A vacuum extractor is a device that applies suction to a baby’s head. The suction, as well as the doctor guiding the handle of the device, helps pull the baby out.

A vacuum extraction is typically safer for a baby than a forceps extraction, as it involves less traction to the baby’s head and neck. But, if a vacuum is used incorrectly, it can cause permanent injury.

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Why Birth-Assisting Tools Can Be Dangerous

These tools carry serious risks. Forceps can compress a baby’s head, causing skull fracture, ruptured blood vessels, and swelling; and forceps can also be used with too much traction, twisting the baby’s neck and causing brachial plexus injuries. Damage to the brain can also cause strokes or cerebral palsy.

Vacuum extraction can increase the risk of shoulder dystocia, a dangerous labor complication in which the child’s shoulder becomes stuck on the mother’s pubic bone after the head has already emerged. Vacuum extraction may also cause skull fracture, serious bleeding or swelling in the skull, and lacerations. Neonatal jaundice is also more likely to develop in babies who have been delivered by vacuum extraction, especially if there is swelling in the scalp.

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Damage to the Mother

Birth-assisting tools may cause long-term harm to the mother. This includes uterine rupture, a condition that can be fatal. Additional maternal complications include:

  • Perineal injuries
  • Prolapse of the pelvic organs caused by damage to ligaments or muscles
  • Blood loss
  • Anemia
  • Infection
  • Damage to the bladder, vagina, or rectum.

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After a Denver Forceps or Vacuum Extraction Injury, Contact a Premier Legal Team

If you or your baby was injured due to the use of vacuum extractors or forceps, contact the top-ranked trial lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C today.

To ensure the safety of others, it’s essential that medical professionals are held accountable for the harm they cause. At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., our clients come first. Call our Denver office at (303) 759-9945 for your no-charge initial consultation. We’re on your side.

Our clients are our top priority. We will spare no expense to advance your case at no upfront cost to you, if we believe you have a good chance of receiving compensation through a settlement or jury verdict. Call Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. at (303) 759-9945 to learn more today.

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Additional Information

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