There are many different procedures for delivering a child. Unfortunately, delivery tools designed to help may inadvertently cause birth injuries.
Having a baby is not exactly stress or danger free, no matter what anyone tells you. Good labor or not, there is still the possibility of complications arising at any given point from start to delivery finish. The main thing is, it’s not just the baby that’s at risk during a birth; it’s the mother as well. While equipment such as forceps and vacuums may assist in the birth, if they are not used correctly, the mother may sustain damage to her womb or the baby may suffer any one of a number of birth injuries ranging from shoulder dystocia to cerebral palsy.
One of the more dangerous tools often used in delivery rooms is the forceps. In the hands of a skilled doctor, they make an enormous difference in the delivery. In the hands of an unskilled doctor, or one that is careless or negligent, the baby could sustain facial nerve injuries, or worse. Going through a delivery where various tools are necessary is downright frightening given the variety of things that could happen.
“Even though modern medicine has made giant leaps and bounds when it comes to the birthing process for the child and mother, mistakes still cause injuries. There is no way around that. If forceps are used incorrectly, the mother may sustain tissue tears in her womb and/or painful vaginal lacerations. Yes, the human body is a marvel at minimizing damage to itself, but when you toss in the intervention of another human armed with tools, the playing field isn’t level any longer,” said Charlie Donahue, a New Hampshire personal injury lawyer located in Keene. Donahue handles injury cases in New Hampshire and across the United States.
Forceps injuries usually occur if the doctor clenched the child’s face too tightly. If that happens, the forceps can impair the main facial nerve, the one that is responsible for motor functions in the eyes and lips. If the doctor’s mistake or negligence is serious enough, a botched forceps delivery can lead to facial paralysis and a permanent disability or disfigurement.
Head bruising is another injury that may result from the pressure of forceps or a tight passage through the vaginal canal. Generally speaking, a cephalohematoma fades over time, but it is also possible that this in an indication of a skull fracture that could turn into something far worse.
“If you suspect your child’s injuries are due to medical malpractice at the time of birth, give me a call. We’ll talk about your rights and how to defend them,” said New Hampshire personal injury lawyer Charlie Donahue.
To learn more, visit http://www.donahuelawfirm.com.
