When an infant’s delivery does not go as planned, vacuum extraction is a method that can be used to assist in getting the baby through the birth canal. It may be appropriate when vaginal delivery is not progressing or the baby shows signs of fetal distress.
Unfortunately, the improper use of a vacuum due to medical negligence or malpractice can have serious consequences for the newborn and mother. Understanding who may be held accountable for a vacuum extraction injury can help your family protect your legal rights.
What Is Vacuum Extraction?
A vacuum extractor device uses a soft suction cup to gently pull the infant’s head, allowing the physician to aid the child through the birth canal. Difficult, complicated or prolonged vaginal births may lead to the use of vacuum extraction and/or a forceps delivery.
In difficult situations, vacuum extractors can assist the delivery process and help prevent fetal distress and mortality. If the infant is stuck in the birth canal, these devices can prevent the need for a C-section.
When Is Vacuum Extraction Necessary?
Labor and delivery physicians have a responsibility to use vacuum extractors only as recommended by the medical industry. There are situations when using a vacuum is inappropriate and unsafe, such as if:
- The infant is more than six weeks premature
- The infant’s head is still at the top of the birth canal
- The child appears too large to fit through the pelvis
- The infant has been diagnosed with a bone or bleeding disorder
- The child is in breech position or its arms are exiting the birth canal first
The correct use of a vacuum extractor should involve no more than three sets of pulls and two to three cup detachments, and only in high-risk situations. If a medical professional improperly or unnecessarily used a vacuum extractor during your labor, you may be eligible for financial compensation for related birth injuries.
Potential Injuries Caused By Vacuum Extraction
Improperly or negligently using a vacuum extractor to assist in the delivery of a baby could lead to serious injuries that impact the newborn and mother. Common examples include:
- Skull injuries, such as fractures
- Scalp damage, bruising, swelling or lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (oxygen deprivation)
- Cerebral palsy
- Nerve injuries in the neck, potentially causing Erb’s palsy
- Neonatal jaundice
Vacuum extraction injuries can lead to a variety of issues, including cognitive damage, motor function disorders, seizures, strokes and permanent disability.
Your Legal Rights After a Vacuum Extraction Injury
If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence during a vacuum-assisted delivery, your family has the right to pursue compensation by taking legal action. Doctors, obstetricians and other health care providers have a responsibility to follow the accepted standards of medical care during labor and delivery. Anything less than this is grounds for a medical malpractice claim in Minneapolis if it results in harm to your child.
Get Help With Your Vacuum Extraction Injury Case From Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC
Discovering that your child suffered an injury during birth can be highly distressing and traumatic for the entire family. The right Minneapolis birth injury attorney can guide you through this difficult time with compassion and care. At Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC, we are dedicated to helping our clients understand their rights when faced with a birth injury. Contact our vacuum extraction injury attorneys today to start with a free case evaluation.