Forceps Injuries | Bobby Jones Law

Physicians often use birth assistance tools such as a forceps to aid vaginal delivery. The use of forceps or a vacuum extraction pump is known as an “operative vaginal delivery.” Operative vaginal deliveries are often necessary where the physician needs assistance guiding the baby through the birth canal. Yet these deliveries also present a much higher risk of birth injuries. One of the reasons is that if the physician does not utilize the forceps correctly it can result in the baby suffering a devastating injury.

Bobby Jones is an experienced Greenville, SC medical malpractice lawyer that has experience representing victims in birth injury cases involving the improper use of forceps. If your child suffered an injury during birth, Bobby Jones Law can help you recover the compensation that you deserve.

Why is it Necessary to Use Forceps?

According to medical guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the following situations are appropriate for the use of forceps:

Fetal distress. When the fetus is in distress a physician may be prompted to use forceps to facilitate delivery. This is only appropriate if the operative vaginal delivery will be faster than a C-section.
Mother fatigue or distress. When the mother is fatigued or is in distress, a physician can use the forceps to facilitate delivery.
Prolonged labor. A prolonged labor is when pushing in the 2nd phase produces no results after 3 hours, prompting the physician to try an operative vaginal delivery with the forceps.

Common Birth Injuries Caused by Forceps Deliveries

Forceps deliveries have become somewhat controversial since emergency C-sections are viewed as the safer and more appropriate response. Common birth injuries resulting from a forceps delivery include:

Skull fractures
Hematomas. A hematoma is an abnormal pooling of blood or fluid in the brain.
Hydrocephalus. This refers to an internal brain injury that involves the buildup of fluid that blocks the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
A traumatic brain injury that can lead to serious long-term conditions such as cerebral palsy.
Facial injuries and deformities

It is also possible that a forceps delivery can injure the mother. These types of injuries can include tears in the genital tract, bladder injuries, or pelvic organ prolapse.

Discuss your Case with an Experienced Greenville, SC Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Cases involving birth injuries caused by the negligent use of forceps are unfortunately all too common. Yet they vary significantly in degree and are not always clear cut. To recover damages for an injury caused by the improper use of forceps during delivery, a victim must prove that the physician’s use of the forceps was negligent. This means that the physician failed to provide a reasonable standard of care which resulted in the baby’s injury.

An experienced Greenville, SC medical malpractice lawyer can help you to meet your burden of proof and recover the compensation that you deserve. Bobby Jones is a compassionate and highly experienced Greenville, SC medical malpractice lawyer that represents victims in cases involving forceps injuries. Bobby Jones Law serves clients throughout the state of South Carolina with offices conveniently located in Greenville. If you or someone that you know has a child that suffered a birth injury due to the negligent forceps delivery,