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Cherry Hill Forceps Injury Lawyers
Cherry Hill forceps injury attorneys taking South Jersey birth injury cases
Some birth deliveries are more difficult than others. Forceps may be necessary to pull the baby’s head during the final stages of the delivery. At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill forceps injury lawyers work with obstetricians who understand what steps should be taken during delivery, what complications should be anticipated, and how the delivery team should safely deliver a baby if forceps are required. We work with independent doctors to assess what injuries the improper use of forceps caused, the quality of life your child will have, and the medical care your child will need – for the rest of his/her life.
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- Why are forceps used during difficult births in Cherry Hill?
- How common are forceps deliveries?
- What are the considerations for using or not using forceps during a delivery in Cherry Hill?
- How are forceps used during delivery?
- What injuries can forceps cause?
- Who is responsible for the improper use of forceps during a delivery?
- Do you have a forceps injury lawyer near me?
Why are forceps used during difficult births in Cherry Hill?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, when labor stalls during the “pushing stage,” and the pushing is not working, the delivery team will review the wisdom of continued pushing compared to other options depending on the health of both the mother and the fetus. “Certain heart rate patterns may indicate that the baby isn’t getting enough oxygen in the birth canal. When this is the case, your team will want to get them out right away.”
The options for quicker vaginal delivery include forceps delivery and vacuum extraction. There are some prerequisites, such as that the baby has to be “at least halfway through the birth canal and your team has to be able to tell what position they’re in. If assisted vaginal delivery isn’t an option, or if it fails, your team may recommend a c-section instead.”
The delivery team must understand what the prerequisites are and how to determine if those conditions can be met. The failure to understand and apply these prerequisites may be medical malpractice and may cause your newborn to live with serious injuries and complications.
How common are forceps deliveries?
The Cleveland Clinic states that in America, forceps delivery are used in about .5 percent of vaginal births. Additionally, 2.6 percent of vaginal births use vacuum-assisted deliveries. Generally, forceps deliveries are less favored than vacuum extractions due to a lack of training and an enhanced need for anesthesia. C-section rates have risen to nearly 30 percent of all deliveries.
What are the considerations for using or not using forceps during a birth delivery in Cherry Hill?
The use of forceps may be indicated if:
- The doctor has the necessary training and experience to use forceps
- The labor has been unsuccessful for a specific amount of time – generally one to four hours
- Your baby “has descended to the halfway point in the birth canal, where it can be accessed”
- The heart rate of your baby indicates fetal distress and the need to deliver the baby soon
The use of forceps may not be indicated if:
- The mother isn’t fully dilated
- The baby is more than six weeks premature
- The baby has a bone disorder or a bleeding disorder
- The baby is “leading with their arms through the birth canal”
- The position of the baby cannot be determined
- It looks like the baby may not fit through the birth canal
The delivery team must obtain an “informed consent” in order to proceed with the use of forceps. There are different types of forceps for different situations, such as breech and rotated babies. Forceps should only be used to the extent that they help. The forceps should be released when they’re not necessary.
If the use of forceps works, the delivery will be completed as normal. Otherwise, a c-section is normally recommended. The baby should be monitored once the delivery is completed for any signs of injuries.
What injuries can forceps cause?
Some of the possible injuries to the mother due to the use of forceps include:
- Vaginal tears.
- Tears in the muscle or wall of the rectum. These happen in about 10 percent of forceps deliveries.
- Urinary disorders, especially if there are tears.
- Pelvic organ prolapse.
Some of the possible injuries to your newborn due to the use of forceps include:
- Surface wounds to the face and head that should heal within a few days.
- Temporary facial nerve palsy. This disorder can cause the facial muscles to be weak and droop. This condition should heal within a few weeks.
- Skull fractures that should heal on their own.
- Bleeding inside the skull. These forceps injuries are the most serious. The brain needs blood. Without blood flow, your baby may suffer brain damage, cerebral palsy, and other disorders.
Other consequences include cuts, lacerations, and neonatal seizures.
The treatments for these injuries vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. For example, cerebral palsy may cause permanent physical, cognitive, and emotional harm that requires a lifetime of medical care.
Who is responsible for the improper use of forceps during delivery?
Everyone involved in the delivery of your baby should know when the use of forceps is viable and when it’s not. When forceps are used, proper protocols such as ending the use of the forceps when the need for using them no longer exists, should be followed.
At Ferrara & Gable, we file birth injury claims on behalf of your newborn and the parents against all responsible parties. The defendants may include:
- The delivery doctors
- The delivery nurses
- The anesthesiologist
- The hospital where the delivery was performed
- Any other responsible healthcare providers
Do you have a forceps injury lawyer near me?
Ferrara & Gable meets families at our office located at 601 Longwood Avenue in Cherry Hill, NJ. You can park nearby. The Rt. 38 bus is another option. We schedule phone and video conferences when illness or immobility is an issue.
Our seasoned trial lawyers will answer all your questions and guide you through the claims process.
Cherry Hill birth injury lawyers handling forceps injury cases in South Jersey
At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill forceps injury lawyers are skilled at holding doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers accountable for medical malpractice. We’re skilled at helping parents understand the full medical and emotional support needs of their child. Our personal injury lawyers have an impressive record of strong insurance settlements and jury verdicts. We’re respected across New Jersey for our advocacy skills. Call us or contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll fight for your child’s future.