Baby Delivery Methods

When you are getting ready to have your baby, you may not realize that there are other types of delivery besides just vaginal birth and caesarean sections (c-sections). Sometimes, you and your doctor may plan to use an alternative delivery method, but most times, the use of these processes arises in the case of emergency.

Forceps and Vacuum Deliveries

During a vaginal birth, the position of the baby or the speed of the delivery may require a doctor to use certain tools to help your birth. Two ways that a doctor can control the way your baby comes out is by cupping the head with forceps or guiding its head via a vacuum attachment.

Forceps or vacuums tend to be employed when a baby is in a breech position, or when the doctor needs to remove the baby as soon as possible, like when its heart rate drops while in the birth canal.

Episiotomies

Episiotomies are used in conjunction with a vaginal delivery as well. If the birth canal does not have time to stretch out, or if it is too narrow for a baby’s head, then the doctor may elect to make a straight incision through the perineum and vaginal wall to allow the baby to come out. After the baby is delivered, the doctor sews up the cut. Stitching this straight incision closed is much easier than waiting for the perineum to tear on its own then trying to sew up the jagged tear line.

No matter what type of delivery you and your doctor decide upon, there are complications that can arise. Sometimes, these are out of the doctor’s control, whereas other times the problems can be the direct result of medical malpractice.

Contact Us

If your baby has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence during the delivery process, contact the experienced Philadelphia birth injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today by calling 215-238-1130.