Can Forceps Cause Serious Birth Injuries?

The birth of a child is supposed to be one of life’s most joyous and unforgettable moments—a time filled with celebration, hope, and excitement for the future. Unfortunately, for some families, this milestone can turn into a heartbreaking and stressful ordeal when complications lead to serious birth injuries. 

If your child has been harmed due to improper or negligent medical care during delivery, particularly through the misuse of forceps, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, confused, and in need of answers. At ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers, we understand the emotional toll a birth injury can take on your entire family. 

If you’re reading this because you believe your child has suffered a preventable birth injury, we want you to know you have an advocate. No one should have to feel alone or powerless at a time that should have been filled with love and joy. Our birth injury lawyers stand ready to help you explore your legal options and pursue the justice your family deserves.

Forceps Delivery: A Complex Procedure

Forceps are specialized medical instrument that look a bit like a pair of tongs. They are used to facilitate vaginal delivery, but can cause birth injuries when incorrectly used. They are designed to fit gently around a newborn’s head to guide the baby through the birth canal during a vaginal delivery. 

When used by a skilled physician, forceps can facilitate timely delivery, especially in situations where the mother is too exhausted to continue pushing or when the baby needs to be delivered quickly due to certain medical concerns. However, forceps-induced head injury can occur if these instruments are not applied correctly or if excessive force is used.

Physicians must be very careful to properly apply forceps and to not excessively press or pull on the baby’s head. As each contraction occurs, the obstetrician is supposed to gently guide the baby’s head downward and out of the birth canal. When used according to standards of care, forceps can generally help deliver babies quickly and unharmed. If used improperly, however, damage can be extensive and permanent.

Doctors must follow established standards of care and be properly trained in forceps use before applying them in the delivery room. Even minor mistakes can lead to devastating outcomes, such as skull fractures, intracranial hemorrhages (brain bleeds), and other neonatal brain trauma. In the worst cases, these injuries result in cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and long-term developmental delays.

The Role of Forceps in Birth

Physicians typically consider using forceps during the second stage of labor (when the mother is pushing and the baby is moving downward). Each time a contraction occurs, the obstetrician is supposed to gently guide the baby’s head downward and out of the birth canal.

When used properly, forceps can:

  • Reduce maternal fatigue by assisting the mother in delivering her baby more quickly.
  • Help protect babies in distress by shortening the amount of time the baby remains in the birth canal.
  • Minimize risk in situations where the mother has a health condition (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure) that may become exacerbated by prolonged pushing.

Yet, forceps are only considered safe when a set of prerequisites are met. If these conditions aren’t present or if the physician is not experienced in forceps delivery, the risk of forceps-related complications rises sharply.

Under What Circumstances Should Forceps Be Used?

Reasons for the use of forceps include:

  • The mother has a sudden and major bleed (hemorrhage)
  • The mother is exhausted
  • There is a prolonged second stage of labor
  • The mother has a condition, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or aneurysm, that makes pushing difficult or dangerous.
  • The baby’s heart rate and/or pattern is abnormal. This is a sign that the baby may be in danger and should be delivered quickly.
  • Breech delivery. A breech delivery is when the baby’s buttocks or legs are the first parts of the baby to appear during birth. Forceps may be used to help deliver the head in a breech delivery.

In addition, certain conditions must be in place before a physician may use forceps:

  • The baby’s head must be engaged.
  • The cervix must be fully dilated.
  • The membranes must be ruptured.
  • The fetal presentation, position, lie, and any asynclitism (tilted head) must be known. If any of these are uncertain, an ultrasound should be performed.
  • The fetal size must have been estimated with clinical pelvimetry, showing acceptable dimensions.
  • The mother’s bladder must be empty.
  • The risks of the procedure must have been fully explained to the mother.
  • There must be a willingness to abandon attempts if the forceps are not working/labor is prolonged. If this happens, a C-section may be necessary, and physicians should be prepared for this possibility.
  • The physician must have experience and be skilled in forceps use.

These conditions help reduce the likelihood of improper forceps use. If even one of these factors is missing or overlooked, the doctor may be venturing outside the standard of care.

When Forceps Delivery Should Not Be Used

If any of the above prerequisites are not in place, a forceps delivery should not occur. Contraindications to forceps use include:

  • Preterm babies: The baby is less than 34 weeks gestation. Preterm infants have more fragile skulls and blood vessels, creating a higher risk of fetal intraventricular hemorrhage.
  • Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD):. This means that the baby’s head is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis. In these cases, forceps can cause dangerous compression or trauma.
  • Fetal Demineralization, Fetal Bleeding Diathesis, or Connective Tissue Disorders: Conditions that weaken the baby’s bones or connective tissues increase the risk of fractures and other injuries.
  • Operator inexperience: If the doctor is not skilled in forceps application, the standard of care requires a more qualified practitioner or an alternative delivery method.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a physician should not use more than one delivery instrument during a birth. Thus, if forceps have failed, applying a vacuum extractor next can be extremely hazardous. Moving on to a C-section is generally the accepted standard in such cases.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is very important during labor and delivery. This means that the physician must explain all procedures utilized during delivery, including the risks and benefits to the baby and alternatives to the various procedures. 

Experts agree that forceps should only be used by a physician who is skilled in their use. If a physician has never used forceps or is otherwise unskilled in their use, this should be conveyed to the mother since this information is crucial to making an informed decision. 

When explaining the risks of forceps delivery, the physician must also discuss the alternatives, one of which is a C-section delivery. 

Potential Birth Injuries Linked to Forceps

Even if all the above criteria for forceps use are met, the matter of using them correctly remains. When forceps delivery is performed incorrectly or under unsafe conditions, the following injuries can result:

  • Infant Head Injuries: Bruises, abrasions, or cuts that can lead to infection or pain.
  • Fractures: Excessive pressure can fracture the baby’s skull or other cranial bones.
  • Spinal Cord Damage: In severe cases, improper manipulation might injure the infant’s spinal cord.
  • Nerve Damage: Facial nerve palsy or other forms of nerve impairment can occur from forceps pressure.
  • Bleeding in the Brain (intracranial hemorrhage): Tearing of blood vessels can lead to neonatal brain trauma, which sometimes results in cerebral palsy or permanent developmental disorders.

Among these, brain damage in newborns is one of the most devastating outcomes because it can require lifelong medical care, therapy, and support.

Brain Damage in Newborns: The Tragic Consequence

A newborn’s skull is delicate, and the developing brain is highly susceptible to pressure or trauma. If a physician applies the forceps with uneven force, slips during the application, or uses excessive traction while pulling the baby out, the resulting injuries can include: 

Brain damage may also result in strokes and developmental delays. Even a minor forceps-induced head injury can trigger far-reaching consequences if not promptly treated—or if the damage is severe to begin with.

Forceps Injuries and Medical Malpractice

It is crucial for a baby to be very closely monitored during labor and delivery. Forceps may only be used when obstetrical indications are present. Due to the potential for severe injury, the physician must be very skilled in forceps delivery technique and follow all standards of care. 

Failure to Adhere to the Standard of Care

In any birth injury claim, the key question is whether medical professionals met the standard of care required in that situation. The “standard of care” refers to the level of skill, caution, and treatment that a reasonable medical provider with similar training would have offered in the same circumstances. Failure to follow guidelines and standards of care is negligence. If this negligence leads to injury to the baby, it is medical malpractice. 

Examples of negligence in forceps deliveries include:

  • Using forceps when contraindications or red flags are present.
  • Applying excessive pressure or traction.
  • Misjudging the baby’s position or size.
  • Failing to abandon forceps delivery and switch to a C-section when necessary.
  • Not obtaining informed consent from the mother about the risks of forceps and the availability of safer alternatives. 

When such errors lead to brain damage or other serious injuries, the physician and/or the hospital may be liable for the resulting harm. 

In birth trauma lawsuits, establishing malpractice can be complex, often requiring expert witnesses, an in-depth review of medical records, and a thorough investigation of the medical staff’s actions. 

For families already grappling with a child’s disability or health challenges, navigating these legal complexities can be daunting. That is where ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers can help.

Real-World Example: The Dangers of Prolonged or Improper Forceps Use

When physicians improperly use forceps or don’t quickly move on to a C-section when required, the baby can become permanently injured. Physicians sometimes use forceps to rotate the baby’s head when it is not in line with the mother’s pelvis. If the first attempt at rotation is not successful and the procedure is stopped, the standard of care requires that forceps use be stopped and that the physician proceed immediately to C-section delivery. 

In a legal case, the first attempt to rotate the baby with forceps was unsuccessful, and the physician temporarily stopped. However, instead of quickly moving on to a C-section delivery, the physician tried to use forceps again. The baby was delivered; at first, the use of forceps appeared to have been successful. 

She was born with a seemingly normal Apgar score, heart rate, and umbilical cord blood gas levels. However, she had a skull fracture, which was revealed through head imaging. The neurologist indicated that it was evidence of excessive force with forceps. 

As a result of this excessive force, the baby not only had a fracture, but also fluid buildup (edema) and brain tissue death (necrosis). The baby began to show signs of brain damage, including seizures. She was diagnosed with permanent cognitive and motor deficits, also called intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Seeking Legal Remedies for Forceps-Related Birth Injuries

If you believe your child’s injuries were caused by forceps misuse or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A birth trauma lawsuit can help your family secure financial resources for:

  • Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, therapy, medication, ongoing physician visits, and specialized care.
  • Rehabilitation Costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and specialized education.
  • Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, mobility aids, or communication devices needed for daily life.
  • Pain and Suffering: Both the baby’s suffering and the emotional distress you’ve endured.
  • Loss of Future Earning Potential: If your child’s lifelong disability will hinder their ability to work later in life.

At ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers, we believe every child deserves the best chance at a full and healthy life, no matter the severity of their injuries. We aim to help you pursue the compensation you need for your child’s ongoing care and well-being.

Get Legal Help for Your Child: Contact ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers

If your child experienced forceps delivery and sustained permanent damage, the award-winning birth injury attorneys at ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers can help.

Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills, needing specialized therapy for your child, or simply feeling lost and betrayed by the very professionals who were meant to protect you, you are not alone.

Our lawyers have decades of experience handling complex forceps cases, and have helped children throughout the country obtain compensation for lifelong treatment, therapy, and a secure future. We give personal attention to each child and family we represent.

Learning that a preventable medical error may have caused your child’s birth injury is both heartbreaking and infuriating. Forceps can be a lifesaving tool when used carefully and correctly, but their misuse can result in brain damage in newborns, creating profound challenges for families already coping with the stress of new parenthood. 

Your child’s future—and your peace of mind—matter. Reach out today to learn about your legal options, and let us help you getseek the support and compensation you need to provide the best possible care for your child. Call us at 248-593-5100 or contact us online at any time, from anywhere nationwide.