Birth Injury caused by vacuum extraction

Vacuum extraction is a delivery technique that medical practitioners use to assist with vaginal delivery. During vacuum extraction, a plastic cup is placed on a newborn's head and attached to a vacuum. This vacuum creates a suction that works with the mother's pushing to move the baby through the mother's birth canal. Most vaginal deliveries do not require the assistance of a vacuum extraction. This technique is usually reserved for instances where labor alone is not causing the baby to move down on its own.

Most practitioners use vacuum extraction to avoid a Caesarean or to prevent fetal distress. Before using vacuum extraction, doctors and hospital staff can attempt to reposition the mother during delivery to try to move the baby down the birth canal. Though vacuum extraction is common, there are risks associated with this delivery technique. Complications resulting from vacuum extraction include scalp swelling and bruising, subgaleal hematoma (bleeding between the skull and scalp), skull fracture, intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding around or in the brain), and neonatal jaundice, all of which can lead to permanent injury or death.

Serious birth injuries caused by a healthcare provider's misuse of vacuum extraction can impact your child's health for a lifetime. If you believe that your child was injured as a result of negligence during vacuum extraction, you may be able to seek compensation. Please call our Illinois birth injury lawyers at 312-332-2872 or 877-374-1417 to discuss your potential case with an experienced attorney, or complete our birth injury case intake form and someone from Levin & Perconti will follow-up with you shortly.