Too often, what’s called a “necessary intervention” is really medical negligence
When labor and delivery don’t progress as planned, physicians need to use the right tools and techniques to achieve a safe delivery for both mother and baby.
Vacuum extractors are one such tool, and when used properly, they can be very effective. However, misuse of vacuum extractors can hurt the baby, and sometimes, that harm can be permanent.
Here’s what parents need to know about the risks of vacuum extraction and how an experienced Ohio birth injury lawyer can help if your baby was harmed.
What is vacuum extraction?
Vacuum extraction is a type of assisted delivery that uses suction and traction to help deliver the baby’s head. The doctor places a suction cup on the baby’s head and gently pulls while the mother pushes.
Once the head is out, the suction cup is removed, and the provider uses their hands to guide the rest of the baby’s body.
When vacuum extraction should and should not be done
Vacuum extraction is only medically indicated under certain circumstances. If the mother has been pushing for a long time without success, or if she has a medical condition that makes pushing more difficult, vacuum extraction may be needed.
Vacuum extraction may also be a necessary intervention when the baby’s heart rate drops below the normal range. However, the care team should usually try other interventions first, such as repositioning, before resorting to a vacuum extractor.
There are other circumstances where the use of a vacuum extractor is not recommended:
- The baby hasn’t moved down low enough in the birth canal to be delivered.
- The baby is too big to fit through the birth canal.
- Vacuum extraction has already been attempted unsuccessfully.
- There is another health risk to the mother or baby that requires more immediate intervention, such as an emergency C-section.
Risks associated with vacuum extraction
Some side effects of vacuum extraction for the baby are relatively minor and can heal with no long-term effects. These include minor damage to blood vessels, bruising, and causing the scalp to swell into a cone-like shape (caput succedaneum).
However, more serious side effects can also occur, including:
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Subgaleal Hematoma/Hemorrhage: Subgaleal hematoma/hemorrhage occurs when the vacuum is placed on the wrong location on the fetal scalp and when excessive traction or rocking motion is used while trying to pull the fetal head through the birth canal. This can cause rupture of the emissary veins, which then bleed into the subgaleal space above the skull. This can cause severe blood loss, fetal anemia, brain damage, or death.
- Jaundice: Bruising of the scalp due to vacuum extraction can increase the risk of jaundice, a yellowing of the skin caused by an excess of the pigment bilirubin in the baby’s body. If properly treated, jaundice usually goes away with no long-term effects. However, untreated jaundice can cause permanent brain damage.
- Skull fractures: Because a newborn’s skull is so soft, the risk of fractures is high whenever any pressure is put on the skull. Depending on the extent and location of the fracture, permanent brain damage or brain bleeding can occur.
- Intracranial hemorrhage: While rare, misuse of vacuum extractors can cause bleeding in and around the baby’s brain. This, in turn, can put pressure on the brain and cause permanent damage.
Did misuse of vacuum extractors cause your child’s birth injury?
Again, while vacuum extractors can be a safe and effective tool for assisted delivery if used properly, the risk of damage to the baby’s head and brain is substantial if they are not used correctly.
If your baby suffered a brain injury during labor and delivery, you deserve answers. An experienced birth injury attorney can help. Give us a call or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation with The Lancione Law Firm.
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