Vacuum Extraction Injury
Doctors try to deliver children without using extraction tools because it adds to the level of risk during birth. Still, in some cases, either because of pain medication or long-term labor, the mother can no longer push the child out. As a result, doctors use tools like the vacuum extractor to help bring the child out. Unfortunately, you have cases where it can lead to a vacuum extraction injury.
The Symptoms of These Injuries
There are various types of injuries, but the symptoms will largely depend on the injury sustained. For example, when the injuries relate to the brachial plexus nerve (one of the nerves in the shoulder), the symptoms include:
- Weakness in the arms
- Claw-like hand
- Paralysis
Those symptoms, however, will differ when your child suffers a skull fracture in the process. Symptoms of a skull fracture include:
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Crying
- Listlessness
- Poor feeding habits
Some brain injuries from a vacuum extraction injury can lead to a birth injury like cerebral palsy because it causes communication problems within the brain.
Can You Prevent a Vacuum Extraction Injury?
You can prevent these injuries through better care on the part of the doctor. The mother might also prevent this by looking at what stage she is at with the doctor before deciding to have the child through a vacuum extraction. It may not always be the best choice in some cases because of how it can endanger the child. Typically, recovery from an injury like this will be slow, but children will often make a full recovery from this in most cases.
What Injuries Come from a Vacuum Extractor?
The vacuum extractor can cause health complications in infants. You can use it safely, but if too much force gets applied, it can cause wounds and bleeding on the scalp. If the nerves along the neck get stretched, it can cause a condition called Erb’s palsy. Some of the other injuries that it can cause include:
- Superficial scalp wounds
- Hematoma
- Cephalohematoma
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Neonatal jaundice
How to Prepare for This
The doctor might try other methods first before trying this method because, if done improperly, it can lead to a birth injury. In some cases, the doctor might adjust the anesthesia levels to encourage the progress of labor.
Despite your best efforts to keep your child safe, this birth disorder can still happen. The medical community is responsible for both you and the child during labor and should do their best to give you a safe delivery. If you do not want the doctor to use the vacuum extractor, you can always opt for the forceps, even though this can be more dangerous. You also have the choice not to use either of them if you’re worried that it would cause harm to the child.