Questions?What Are Forceps Delivery Developmental Delays?
Forceps delivery and developmental delay may be linked when pressure on the baby’s head causes brain damage. The tool is used to guide babies out of the birth canal during the second stage of labor, but forceps delivery complications can cause serious harm.
Excessive pulling or incorrect placement of the forceps can cause brain bleeds, skull fractures, or nerve injuries that may affect a child’s development.
These medical mistakes may result in permanent brain damage and developmental delays affecting movement, speech, or learning.
In severe cases, forceps-related injuries can cause lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy (CP) or forceps delivery developmental delays. Some of these injuries are preventable and may be the result of medical negligence.
A birth injury lawsuit may help families secure financial compensation for therapy, medical equipment, and long-term care. Some cases involving forceps delivery and developmental delay have resulted in settlements of $1 million or more.
We work with experienced forceps injury attorneys across the country who fight for families affected by preventable birth injuries. Our legal network has recovered more than $1 billion for families. Find out if we can help you — get a free case review today.
How Do Forceps Injuries Cause Developmental Delays?
A forceps delivery developmental delay may happen when the baby’s brain or nervous system is damaged during birth.
Serious forceps-related injuries can interfere with brain development, especially in areas that control movement, speech, learning, and behavior.
- Bleeding inside the skull, which can damage motor control areas and affect balance, coordination, and muscle tone
- Injury to speech and language centers, causing delays in understanding or forming words
- Trauma to the frontal lobe, which may lead to problems with focus, behavior, or decision-making
- Damage to white matter, which slows communication between different parts of the brain
- Nerve injury, especially if the forceps affect areas near the face, spine, or shoulders, potentially delaying motor development
These challenges may not be noticeable right away, but often become clearer as a child misses developmental milestones. Some children improve with early treatment, while others may need long-term therapy and medical care.
Can You Prevent Forceps Delivery Developmental Delays?
Sometimes, a forceps delivery and developmental delay may be preventable with proper medical care. If a baby is injured because forceps were used incorrectly or in the wrong situation, it may be considered birth injury malpractice.
“It may be malpractice when doctors overlook safety protocols, such as using forceps after a failed vacuum or applying excessive force.”
– Beth Carter, RN, Legal Nurse Consultant Certified
Health care providers should only use forceps when certain conditions are met. If the baby is too high in the birth canal, in the wrong position, or showing signs of distress, forceps delivery may increase the risk of injury.
- Follow strict guidelines on how much pressure to use and how long the procedure should last
- Monitor the baby’s heart rate and act quickly if signs of fetal distress appear
- Perform a cesarean section (C-section) instead of forceps when delivery complications arise
- Provide immediate follow-up care for head trauma, bruising, or other visible signs of injury
- Use proper placement and technique to avoid damaging the baby’s skull, brain, or facial nerves
When doctors fail to meet the standard of care, the result can be lasting developmental delays. In these cases, families may be eligible for compensation through a birth injury claim.
If you believe forceps delivery and developmental delay may have occurred, see if we can help with a free legal case review.
Types of Forceps Delivery and Developmental Delay
Forceps-assisted delivery can cause serious birth injuries that affect a child’s brain or nerves. In severe cases, these brain injuries may lead to lasting developmental delays in speech, movement, learning, or behavior.
- Brachial plexus injury: Pulling on the baby’s neck or shoulder may damage nerves, leading to delayed movement or weakness in one arm.
- Cerebral palsy: Forceps use can lead to brain damage or oxygen loss, affecting muscle tone, coordination, and movement.
- Facial nerve injury: Pressure on the baby’s face can damage the facial nerve and delay smiling, blinking, or other expressions.
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Delayed delivery may reduce oxygen to the brain, causing widespread injury and long-term delays.
- Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): Forceps-related trauma can cause bleeding into the brain’s fluid spaces, affecting motor and cognitive skills.
- Skull fractures with brain injury: Improper forceps use may crack the baby’s skull and damage brain tissue, leading to serious developmental problems.
These types of injuries often require specialized care and may impact your child’s development. If your child has been diagnosed with one of these conditions after a forceps delivery, medical negligence may have been involved.
Early Signs of Forceps Delivery and Developmental Delay
Missed milestones may be one of the earliest signs that something went wrong during birth. If there was trauma to the brain or nerves, signs of forceps delivery and developmental delay may appear shortly after birth or become more noticeable as your child grows.
In some cases, it may take months or even years for families to realize that a birth injury occurred.
- Difficulty feeding, including poor sucking or trouble swallowing
- Muscle tone issues, such as floppy limbs (hypotonia) or stiffness (hypertonia)
- Seizures or staring spells, which may indicate early neurological injury
- Trouble holding the head up, sitting, crawling, or walking
- Unusual crying, such as high-pitched or persistent irritability
Signs like these may suggest a developmental delay caused by forceps-related injury. Some children respond well to early therapy, but others may need long-term support.
If you’re concerned, our labor and delivery nurses can help you understand what to do next — and it’s always free to talk with us.
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Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
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How to Diagnose Forceps Delivery Developmental Delays
Diagnosing forceps delivery and developmental delay often begins when a parent or doctor notices missed milestones or unusual behavior in the child’s early development.
Doctors use a combination of developmental screenings, physical exams, and imaging tests to evaluate whether a birth injury may have occurred and how it’s affecting the child’s development.
Tests used to help diagnose forceps delivery and developmental delay may include:
- Developmental screenings, which track progress in motor skills, language, problem-solving, and social interaction
- Hearing and vision tests, especially if speech or social development is delayed
- Neuroimaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or cranial ultrasound, to detect brain bleeds, skull fractures, or other trauma
- Neurological exams to check reflexes, posture, coordination, and muscle tone
- Referrals to specialists, such as developmental pediatricians or pediatric neurologists, for a more detailed evaluation
Early diagnosis is always important for children with developmental delays so they get the best possible treatment. If your child was injured during delivery, you may be able to file a forceps injury claim to pursue compensation for long-term support.
Treating Forceps Delivery Developmental Delays
Treatment for forceps delivery and developmental delay depends on the type and severity of the injury. While some children recover with early support, others may need long-term care to manage the effects of brain damage or nerve injury.
Doctors often create a care plan based on the child’s unique needs. A team of specialists may work together to support movement, speech, learning, and behavior over time.
- Assistive devices, such as braces, walkers, or communication tools to support daily function
- Behavioral therapy to improve social interaction, focus, and emotional regulation
- Educational support, including special education services and learning accommodations
- Occupational therapy to help with everyday skills like feeding, dressing, and writing
- Physical therapy to strengthen muscles, improve balance, and develop motor skills
- Speech therapy to support language development, communication, and feeding issues
Starting treatment early may improve your child’s developmental outcomes. If a preventable medical mistake caused the injury, you may be eligible for money through a forceps injury settlement to help cover the cost of care.
Get Legal Help for Forceps Delivery and Developmental Delay
When a child has developmental delays after a forceps-assisted birth, families are often left managing a lifetime of medical needs and unexpected costs. The emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming, especially if the injury could have been prevented.
If forceps delivery complications harmed your child, you may be able to file a birth injury claim. A successful lawsuit may provide compensation for daily care, therapy, medical equipment, and other essential support.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with experienced attorneys who can help families in all 50 states. Our trusted network of birth injury lawyers has secured more than $1 billion for families.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now or fill out this form to see if we may be able to help you seek the justice and compensation your family deserves.
Forceps Delivery and Developmental Delay FAQs
Can forceps delivery cause learning disabilities?
Forceps delivery can cause learning disabilities if the procedure results in brain damage during birth. Improper use of forceps may lead to head trauma, bleeding in the brain, or oxygen loss.
Each of these can affect how a child learns, speaks, or processes information as they grow. Early diagnosis and therapy can help improve outcomes.
Can forceps delivery cause developmental delays?
Forceps delivery and developmental delay may be connected when the baby is injured during birth. Pressure from the forceps can cause head trauma, brain bleeds, or nerve damage.
These injuries may affect how a child develops over time, especially in areas like speech, movement, or learning. Medical treatment and early support can make a difference.
If your baby is showing signs of harm after a forceps delivery, your family may qualify for money to help cover the cost of care. Get a free case review right now to see if you may be eligible.
Can forceps delivery cause problems later in life?
Yes, injuries from forceps delivery can lead to long-term problems if they cause brain damage or nerve injury at birth.
Some children may experience ongoing challenges with movement, learning, speech, or behavior. In more severe cases, conditions like cerebral palsy or developmental delay may require lifelong care and support.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, our nurses are here to help. Call (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat now to talk with one of our registered nurses — it’s always free to talk with our team.
Do forceps leave permanent marks?
Most marks from forceps delivery are temporary and fade within a few days. However, if bruising, swelling, or scarring lasts longer than expected, it could be a sign of a deeper injury.
In rare cases, lasting marks may be linked to nerve damage or skull trauma. If you’re concerned, a doctor should evaluate your child as soon as possible.
