The use of forceps to assist in a difficult delivery has been used for a long time. In general, forceps are meant to grasp the baby around the head when the doctor has a difficult time reaching it, and help to gently slide the baby out of the mother’s womb. Unfortunately, this does not always occur.

There are several medical criteria that must exist in order for a physician to use an assisted delivery to deliver an infant. The baby’s head must be fully engaged in the pelvis, and the cervix must be fully dilated. It is also important that the doctor have exact knowledge of the position of the baby’s head in order to use the forceps correctly.

The decision to use forceps to assist in a delivery must be carefully considered by the doctor who is delivering the baby. The mother must be in the second stage of labor before an assisted delivery can even be contemplated. Failure to do so can result in permanent injury to the baby as well as to the mother.

A physician will consider using forceps after the second stage of labor has started if there is a long delay during the second stage. The mother may have tired and may be having a difficult time pushing the baby out if the labor has been long and especially difficult; forceps would then be used to help gently slide the baby out of the birth canal.

Epidurals have the benefit of relieving the birthing mother from labor pains. However, epidurals may also make the mother unable to feel the need to push. In this case, an assisted delivery using forceps or a vacuum may be needed. Fetal distress is also a reason that doctors would consider using forceps. When the monitor that is on the baby indicates that the infant is not tolerating the labor well but the labor has gone too far to do an emergency cesarean, the physician may use forceps to assist in a quicker delivery.

Regrettably, a delivery that requires the assistance of forceps does come with some serious risks to both the mother and the child. Facial bruises or lacerations are minor injuries that can occur to the baby through the use of forceps. Facial nerve injuries can also occur, which can leave the baby being unable to feel part of his or her face or head, and may even lead to problems with speech.

Forceps delivery errors can cause more serious problems, though. Cephalohematomas, or bleeding under the baby’s skin next to the scalp, is one of the more serious complications that can occur. Most cephalohematomas resolve by themselves, slowly shrinking within a month or so following birth. Others, however, do not and require further medical intervention.

Intracranial hemorrhage can also be caused by forceps delivery errors. Intracranial bleeding occurs when a blood vessel in the head is ruptured or leaks. It is a serious medical emergency because the buildup of blood within the skull can lead to increases in intracranial pressure, which can crush brain tissue or limit its blood supply resulting in brain damage or even death.

Forceps delivery errors can cause serious bleeding in the mother, causing her to lose an excessive amount of blood which can lead to shock. Errors in the use of forceps can also cause an intrapartum rupture of the uterus.

It is very important that you contact an experienced birth injury lawyer if you have had complications from a forceps assisted delivery. Women who have experienced forceps delivery errors during the birthing process may be eligible for compensation for medical fees.