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Possible risks associated with a forceps delivery

On Behalf of | May 10, 2021 | Medical Malpractice

Your health care provider may opt to give you a forceps delivery if you are having a hard time with labor. Some scenarios where a doctor might recommend forceps include if the labor is failing to progress, there is a change in the baby’s heartbeat or you have certain health concerns. Read below to learn more about the risks associated with forceps delivery in New York.

What are the risks to the mother?

After a forceps delivery, you may experience tearing in your lower genitals, pain in the tissue between the anus and vagina, difficulty with urinating and a uterine rupture. These are just a few of the risks to the mother that come with forceps deliveries. Most of these risks are associated with vaginal deliveries as well, but you are more likely to experience these risks in a forceps delivery. There is also a small chance that your health care provider will need to perform an episiotomy, or create an incision between the vagina and anus. If you experience any issues because of a doctor’s negligence during delivery, you may want to consider filing a medical malpractice claim.

What are the risks to the baby?

The risk of a negative health outcome is relatively low for your baby. However, some of these risks are very serious. For example, your baby may experience a skull fracture or a seizure during the delivery. Other less serious risks to your baby may include minor eye trauma, weakness in your baby’s facial muscles and other minor facial injuries. Your baby may have small marks on their face that will go away shortly thereafter. It is important to remember that serious problems are rare, but if these issues do occur, you might have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim.

There are cases where forceps deliveries are unsuccessful; your health care provider may suggest that you get a C-section delivery instead. An alternative to getting a C-section is getting your baby vacuum-pumped. Your health care provider will suggest the best delivery method for your specific situation.

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