Every parent’s worst nightmare is birth complications. When a child’s injuries are caused by a negligent doctor using an already risky practice, like a vacuum, those fears may be realized. That’s why parents need to learn the dangers associated with using a vacuum during birth and what to do if their children sustain injuries.
Using a vacuum during delivery can pose serious dangers to babies and mothers. Babies can sustain skull fractures, hearing loss, and other serious injuries. When negligent doctors are involved, the risk of life-altering birth injuries like cerebral palsy rises. Suppose a doctor chose to use a vacuum during birth, all while ignoring previous diagnoses or warning signs of increased risks, and your child sustained birth injuries. In that case, you may be able to hold them accountable in a lawsuit in Maryland.
Our attorneys are here to help Maryland parents get justice after a damaging vacuum-assisted delivery. For a free case evaluation with the Baltimore birth injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, call today at (410) 694-7291.
Dangers of Using a Vacuum During Delivery at a Maryland Hospital
Vacuum-assisted delivery is a relatively common practice used by Maryland doctors when babies are distressed or present other issues, requiring fast delivery. That said, this practice can cause serious harm to a newborn child, especially when a doctor acts negligently.
There are risks associated with vacuum-assisted deliveries for mothers and newborn babies alike. The following are common birth injuries caused by vacuums used during delivery in Maryland:
- Blindness
- Brain damage
- Cerebral palsy
- Hearing loss
- Scalp lacerations
- Skull fracture
- Stroke
In addition to causing harm to babies, vacuum-assisted deliveries can also cause serious damage to mothers. The following are common dangers of vacuum deliveries mothers in Maryland experience:
- Blood clots
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Incontinence
- Tearing
Clearly, a vacuum-assisted delivery poses dangers. That said, the likelihood of such injuries for babies and mothers decreases when responsible Maryland doctors are involved. If your child’s birth injuries are reflected above, and a vacuum was used during birth, reach out to an attorney. An experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer can help you learn your options and hold a negligent hospital or doctor accountable.
How Often Do Vacuum Deliveries in Maryland Cause Birth Injuries to Newborns?
Delivery can be a chaotic, stressful experience, especially if there are complications during labor that cause Maryland doctors to intervene unexpectedly. If a doctor tells you that a vacuum can help deliver your baby safely, you need to know what level of risk you’re assuming in saying yes.
While using a vacuum during delivery can understandably sound frightening, the risk of such actions causing harm to your newborn baby is relatively low, provided a Maryland doctor does not act negligently. About 5% of births involving a vacuum result in birth injuries of any kind. Of course, there is a risk in agreeing to vacuum-assisted delivery.
That said, experienced Maryland doctors should only advise using a vacuum if needed. Generally, this practice speeds up delivery and is used when babies are in distress or otherwise need fast extraction. Because of the potential risks, this practice should not be used unless necessary.
Who is Responsible for Birth Injuries Caused by Vacuum Deliveries in Maryland?
Unfortunately, like any medical procedure, there are dangers involved when a vacuum is used during birth. That said, responsible doctors should do everything possible to avoid causing life-altering birth injuries. If a doctor breached the duty of care owed to you and your child, resulting in your baby’s birth injuries, they can be held responsible in a lawsuit.
Maryland doctors are not always responsible for birth injuries resulting from vacuum-assisted deliveries. That said, in many cases, medical professionals’ negligence during delivery leads to birth injuries. Injuries from vacuum-assisted deliveries are no exception.
If a doctor decides to use a vacuum during delivery without paying mind to you or your baby’s previous diagnoses, they may be responsible for your child’s birth injuries. For example, it is generally unsafe to use a vacuum during delivery when a baby has already been diagnosed with a bone or bleeding disorder.
Moving forward with a vacuum-assisted delivery is dangerous if a baby is too large or breached. Risks increase when a mother is less than 34 weeks pregnant. Suppose a Maryland doctor was aware of these risk factors, or failed to run the necessary tests to become aware of these risk factors, and proceeded with a vacuum-assisted delivery. In that case, they can be held responsible for your child’s birth injuries.
In addition to knowing when it is safe to use a vacuum during delivery, Maryland doctors must also act responsibly while using a vacuum. If a doctor acts negligently and misuses a vacuum during birth, they can be held responsible for any birth injuries your child sustains.
What Should I Do if My Newborn Was Injured During a Vacuum Delivery in Maryland?
Labor and delivery can be stressful, especially if Maryland doctors intervene with procedures that frighten or concern a mother. If you are unsure why or how your doctor used a vacuum during your child’s birth and therefore don’t know if they are responsible for your baby’s injuries, ask a Maryland birth injury lawyer.
Immediately after realizing your child sustained injuries in a vacuum-assisted birth in Maryland, reach out to an attorney. Some injuries, like lacerations, are more apparent after birth, while others, like cerebral palsy, may take more time to show.
Regardless of your child’s injuries, speak to an Ocean City personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help your family hold a negligent hospital and doctor accountable for a vacuum-assisted delivery gone wrong in a lawsuit.
Call Our Maryland Lawyers if a Vacuum Used During Delivery Injured Your Newborn
If a Maryland doctor’s negligent use of a vacuum during delivery caused your child’s birth injuries, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the Pasadena personal injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, call today at (410) 694-7291.