Understanding Vacuum Extraction Birth Injuries in Oregon

Difference Between a “Natural Complication” and Oregon Medical Malpractice portland birth injury lawyers Understanding Vacuum Extraction Birth Injuries in Oregon

Vacuum Extraction Birth Injuries in Oregon: The Risks and Alternatives, Discussed by Our Portland Attorney

Mothers prepare ad nauseum for the day their baby arrives. Not many may anticipate that they will undergo a vacuum extraction, and their baby will be guided out of them with a vacuum on their heads. It can be quite traumatic.  In fact, vacuum extraction birth injuries in Oregon can be serious and result in a lifetime of personal injuries.  Call our Portland attorney today if your newborn suffered any vacuum extraction injuries during childbirth as these may be compensated under Oregon law.

What is a Vacuum Extraction?

Vacuum extraction is a process to assist delivery during vaginal childbirth. During this process, the vacuum is applied to the baby’s head to guide and assist the baby out of the mother’s birth canal, for a variety of reasons. Vacuum extraction is also known as vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. This process is usually done while the mother is having a contraction and is pushing. It essentially speeds up the delivery process. It does not replace the mother’s pushing—rather, it helps guide the baby’s head out to ensure a successful delivery.

Vacuum extraction requires the mother’s consent. Consent can only be given once the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure are properly presented to the patient.

When is a Vacuum Extraction Needed?

There are several instances in which a vacuum extraction should be possibly utilized by a mother, for herself and her baby. They include the following:

  • Cardiac diseases (mother): 
    • Mother has cardiac diseases(s) and shortening the time the mother needs to push is advisable, to protect her heart
  • Mother can no longer push as much
    • Some mothers reach exhaustion and need assistance pushing
  • Mother’s membranes have ruptured
  • Mother is not making progress pushing, for any reason
  • Baby’s heartrate is an issue—delivery needs to occur faster

When Vacuum Extraction is Generally Not Recommended

There are, also, many times when vacuum extraction would not be generally advisable:

  • The position of the baby’s head cannot be determined
  • The baby’s size is a concern, with respect to delivering through the mother’s pelvis
  • Baby’s shoulders, buttocks, feet, or arms are facing first
  • Mother is less than 34 weeks pregnant
  • The place where giving birth does not perform C-Sections
  • Baby’s head has not moved significantly down the birth canal, specifically, the mid-point
  • Baby has a bone disorder, such as osteogenesis imperfecta, or bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia

Risks of Vacuum Extraction Birth Injuries in Oregon

It is important to note that there are many risks associated with vacuum extraction, both to the mother and baby. This is because vacuum extraction birth injuries in Oregon are already risky procedures, and less-than-ideal medical care can increase these risks. They are the following:

  • Mother
    • Issues with the episiotomy—a procedure making an incision between vagina and anus tissue, done before placing the vacuum where it needs to be
    • Increased likelihood of tearing around the vagina, rectum, or urethra
    • Short-term urinary incontinence
    • Fecal incontinence
    • Increased blood loss
  • Baby
    • Skull fracture
    • Skull bleeding inside
    • Scalp wounds
    • Increased chances of shoulder dystocia—baby’s shoulder gets stuck in the canal after the head has been delivered

Alternatives to Vacuum Extraction that a Doctor May Propose

There are several alternatives to vacuum extraction, both before vacuum extraction would take place, and also after, if vacuum extraction is not successful. For example, a doctor may adjust the mother’s anesthesia to achieve better pushing. Medications, such as hormones like Pitocin, may be utilized to increase strong contractions. An episiotomy may also be done, which, again, is an incision being made between the anus and vagina, to ease the delivery process. Once the baby is delivered, the tear from this procedure should be repaired. Finally, a C-Section is commonly performed in lieu of vacuum extraction. Contact our Portland Attorney today to make sure you were given the right options and alternatives before and after your vacuum extraction procedure.

Get Help from Our Lawyer Handling Vacuum Extraction Birth Injuries in Oregon

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.

For a free case evaluation

Call

(541) 385-1999 in Bend, Oregon
(503) 479-3646 in Portland, Oregon
(612) 444-3374 in Minnesota

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