This important message is brought to you by the Gershon Law Firm, where our lawyers are also medical doctors.
Forceps-assisted delivery may be used to help guide a baby through the birth canal when labor needs assistance.
In some situations, forceps can be an important delivery tool. However, they must be used carefully, correctly, and only when appropriate.
When forceps are used improperly, or when delivery conditions are difficult, there may be an increased risk of newborn injury.
Possible concerns may include facial injury, skull injury, nerve injury, bruising, swelling, bleeding, or other complications after birth.
Parents may notice marks on the baby’s face or head, swelling, weakness, reduced movement, or abnormal movement on one side of the face or body.
The risk may depend on several factors, including the baby’s position, how the forceps were applied, how much traction was used, how long the delivery took, and whether another delivery method, such as a C-section, should have been considered.
Not every injury means medical malpractice occurred. However, when a newborn has concerning symptoms after a forceps-assisted delivery, families may want to understand what happened.
Doctors and delivery teams are expected to use proper medical judgment, monitor both mother and baby, recognize signs of difficulty, and make timely decisions when labor is not progressing safely.
That is why it can be important for families to ask questions, review the medical records, and understand whether the forceps delivery was handled appropriately.
If your baby had complications after a forceps-assisted delivery, you may have questions about whether the injury could have been prevented or whether medical negligence played a role.
The Gershon Law Firm helps families review possible birth injury and medical malpractice cases. Because our lawyers are also medical doctors, we understand both the medical and legal sides of these cases.
If you have concerns about a possible birth injury, contact the Gershon Law Firm for a fast, free consultation.
This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.