Is Vacuum Delivery Safe?

When there are problems with normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries, assistance may be needed to help complete the vaginal delivery. The most common methods of assisted delivery, also called operative delivery, are vacuum extraction and forceps delivery. Both methods use tools to help pull the baby through the birth canal. Vacuum delivery is used more commonly than forceps. About 10 percent of births are assisted with vacuum extraction.

Assisted vaginal deliveries are typically initiated when:

• There is concern for either the mother’s or the baby’s well-being;

• The labor is not progressing well enough; or

• The mother is too exhausted to continue pushing.

How Vacuum extraction Works

A cup attached to a vacuum pump is placed on the head of the baby. The cups can be made of plastic or metal and vary in their relative rigidity or softness. Rigid cups are more likely to result in successful assisted deliveries, but are also more likely to cause injuries to the baby. A vacuum pump creates the suction or vacuum seal in the cup needed to help pull the baby.

Risk of Injury from Vacuum Extraction

Recent studies suggest an increased risk of certain injuries or complications from vacuum birth for the baby and mother. In addition, there are several factors that can increase the risk of injury, that medical personnel have some control over, such as suction pressure, placement of the suction cup, duration of suction, age of the fetus being delivered (no less than 34 weeks; preferably at least 37 weeks of gestational age), and adequate pelvic to head ratio between the mother and baby.

Increased Injury Risks for Babies

The following birth injuries have a higher risk of occurring in vacuum assisted deliveries:

• Scalp trauma – bruises or abrasions on scalp

• Cephalohematoma – pooled blood next to the baby’s skull which is normally reabsorbed within a couple of weeks to three months. As red blood cells are broken down increased production of bilirubin occurs, which is increases the risk of jaundice.

• Skull fracture – although rare, severe cephalohematomas can occur as a result of a skull fracture during assisted delivery.

• Brachial plexus injury – nerve damage causing paralysis to arm, hand or fingers)

• Retinal bleeding – bleeding at the back of the eyes.

• Intracranial bleeding – bleeding in the brain caused by ruptured blood vessels

• Intra-ventricle bleeding – intracranial bleeding in the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces) of the brain

• Subgaleal hemorrhage – a rare but dangerous condition whereby a large volume of blood from damaged blood vessels collect between the periosteum (connective tissue covering bones) and the scalp. Swelling continues after birth and the condition often be diagnosed until after the first several hours, or few days of life. It is frequently associated with cephalohematoma and intracranial bleeding and can go undetected and misdiagnosed. If not detected within few days, anemia, metabolic acidosis (excess acidity in the blood), and respiratory distress develop causing death.

Injury Risks for the Mother

The risk of injury to the mother using vacuum extraction is low. There may be stretching and tearing of tissues, hematomas, and damage to the pelvic floor.

Is Vacuum Extraction Safe?

The incidence of birth injuries, especially cephalohematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, and retinal hemorrhage, are more likely to occur with vacuum births compared to normal spontaneous vaginal births and to births assisted with forceps. Injury to the baby is more likely to occur due to physician technique errors. Despite the increased risk to the baby, and a Public Health Advisory insured by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998, many physicians believe that vacuum extraction is a safe and appropriate option for assisted delivery with a low rate of serious injury to the baby.

If you or your baby were injured during a vacuum extraction delivery, consult an experienced personal injury law firm, who can help you file a lawsuit and receive compensation and fees for your damages.

(Article from Birth Injury and Medical Malpractice Legal View)