Are forceps and vacuum extractions dangerous?
The decision to use forceps and vacuum extractions during labor can be a difficult one and depends on many factors, including the progress of the labor, the health of the mother, the positioning of the baby, and the baby’s immediate medical situation. Unfortunately, forceps delivery can lead to birth injuries such as facial nerve injuries, bleeding in the brain, lacerations and even broken bones. The mother can also be harmed by forceps delivery. Vacuum extraction delivery can have similar effects and can be complicated by user error. Vacuum extraction is generally considered to be more dangerous than forceps or unassisted deliveries.
