What risks are associated with forceps-assisted delivery?

During a vaginal delivery, doctors may need to use forceps in order to get the baby out. Most women in California will not require the use of forceps, and it is safer to deliver without the use of this special tool. Although there are some risks associated with forceps-assisted deliveries, there are rarely any lasting problems when they are carried out properly.

For babies, there are various risks that come with the use of forceps, most of which are not severe. These include bruises or bumps on the face that will heal quickly, injured nerves that will heal in a short amount of time, a swelled or cone-shaped head that will return to normal in a day or two, and cuts from the forceps, which rarely happens. The most serious risk associated with this type of delivery is bleeding within the baby’s head, but this is very rare.

For mothers, the risks are less varied. The potential consequences that come with using forceps are severe vaginal tears and issues with bowel movement and urinating after the delivery.

After a mother has been pushing and the cervix is fully dilated, there are various reasons a forceps-assisted delivery might be the best course of action. The mother might be too tired to continue pushing, or a medical issue might make pushing dangerous. Before this type of method is used, the mother will be given medicine and protection will be placed on the baby’s head.

If a mother or her baby is injured during delivery, it may be in her best interests to seek out compensation. Minor birth injuries are not uncommon, but if the harm done is severe or the result of negligence on the part of the doctor, a personal injury lawyer may be of assistance.