Questions?What Are Vacuum Extraction Developmental Delays?
Vacuum extraction developmental delays can occur when the delivery tool is used improperly. This may cause brain bleeding, swelling, or oxygen loss, which can affect a child’s ability to move, speak, or learn.
Vacuum extraction complications can happen when the vacuum cup is used incorrectly by applying too much pressure, making too many attempts, or pulling for too long.
Severe brain injuries from vacuum extraction can lead to lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, or other developmental disorders. In some cases, these injuries are preventable and linked to medical negligence.
A birth injury lawsuit can help families pursue financial compensation for therapy, equipment, and lifelong care. Some infant birth injury cases result in $1 million or more.
An experienced vacuum extraction injury lawyer can fight for the money your family deserves. We work with attorneys across the nation who can help families in all 50 states.
The experienced attorneys in our network have recovered over $1 billion for preventable birth injuries. Find out if we can help you — get a free case review right now.
How Do Vacuum Pump Injuries Cause Developmental Delays?
Vacuum pump injuries can cause developmental delays when the procedure leads to brain damage. Serious vacuum-related injuries can disrupt normal brain development, especially in areas that control movement, speech, and learning.
- Bleeding inside the skull which can damage motor control centers and affect balance, muscle tone, and coordination
- Injury near the speech and language centers, causing delays in sound formation, understanding, or expression
- Swelling or trauma to the frontal lobe, which may lead to problems with attention, behavior, and decision-making
- White matter damage, interfering with how brain regions communicate
These impairments may not be obvious at birth but can emerge as a child misses developmental milestones. Some children improve with early intervention, while others need lifelong therapy and medical support.
Can You Prevent Developmental Delays From Vacuum Extraction?
Some developmental delays caused by vacuum delivery may be preventable with proper medical care. When harm could have been avoided, it may be considered birth injury malpractice.
“If a vacuum was used when a safer option was available and the baby was harmed, medical professionals need to be held accountable.”
Assisted vaginal delivery should only be used under specific conditions. If doctors misuse the device, the baby may suffer injuries that interfere with their development.
- Ordering a cesarean section (C-section) instead of vacuum extraction if a baby is in the wrong position
- Following strict limits on the number of vacuum attempts and the total duration of suction
- Monitoring for fetal distress and acting quickly to prevent oxygen loss
- Providing immediate care for birth injuries such as subgaleal hemorrhage, jaundice, or signs of trauma
- Using correct suction strength and proper vacuum cup placement
When medical providers fail to provide quality care, the resulting injury can lead to lifelong harm. In these cases, families may be eligible for compensation from a vacuum extraction settlement.
If you believe medical malpractice may have caused your child’s brain damage, our team can help you understand your legal options. Get a free case review right now to start the process.
Types of Vacuum-Related Developmental Delay
Vacuum-assisted delivery can lead to serious birth injuries that interfere with a child’s development. In the most severe cases, these injuries cause lasting delays in movement, learning, speech, or behavior.
- Brachial plexus injury: Vacuum extraction can stretch or tear the nerves that control the arm and shoulder, causing Erb’s palsy.
- Cerebral palsy (CP): Caused by brain damage during delivery, CP affects muscle tone, balance, and movement. Vacuum use may contribute if it leads to bleeding or oxygen loss.
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Oxygen deprivation can damage multiple brain regions. Vacuum complications may increase the risk, especially during prolonged or difficult labor.
- Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): This form of intracranial hemorrhage causes bleeding into the brain’s fluid-filled spaces.
- Skull fractures with brain injury: Improper suction or cup placement can crack the skull and harm brain tissue, leading to lasting developmental challenges.
- Subgaleal hemorrhage: A life-threatening injury where blood collects between the scalp and skull. Linked to vacuum use, it can cause brain damage and long-term delays.
These injuries often require emergency care and can have a devastating impact. If your child has been diagnosed with any of these conditions after a vacuum-assisted birth, medical negligence may be to blame.
Early Signs of Vacuum Delivery Developmental Delay
Every child develops on their own timeline, but missed milestones may be an early sign of injury. If a vacuum-assisted delivery caused brain or nerve damage, signs of developmental delay may appear soon after birth or become more noticeable as your child grows.
In some cases, it may take years for families to realize that a vacuum injury occurred. Learn more about the signs of delays by age below.
Signs of Developmental Delays in Newborns (0–3 Months)
Some babies show signs of injury within the first few days or weeks of life, especially if they experienced head trauma or oxygen loss during a vacuum-assisted delivery.
- Floppy or stiff muscles (hypotonia or hypertonia)
- Poor feeding or difficulty latching
- Seizures, twitching, or staring spells
- Unusual crying, such as high-pitched or constant irritability
- Weak or absent reflexes, including sucking, rooting, or startle
These symptoms are common in babies with vacuum-related complications and may occur with other birth injuries and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.
Signs of Developmental Delays in Infants (3–9 Months)
In some cases, developmental delays caused by vacuum complications may not be noticeable until babies begin engaging more with their environment.
- Difficulty holding the head up without support
- Favoring one side of the body or limited arm or leg movement
- Limited eye contact or reduced interest in surroundings
- Muscle stiffness or persistent low muscle tone
- Trouble rolling over or pushing up from the stomach
These signs may indicate damage to the brain or motor nerves during delivery, which can be an early sign of impairment.
Signs of Developmental Delays in Toddlers (1–3 Years)
As children grow, delays caused by vacuum-related injuries can affect walking, speech, and daily functioning.
- Delayed speech or difficulty forming simple words
- Difficulty learning or following simple instructions
- Frequent falls or poor balance
- Inability to walk by 18 months or walking with an unusual gait
- Limited emotional expression or social interaction
- Trouble stacking blocks, feeding themselves, or imitating behavior
If you’re noticing signs of developmental delay, our experienced labor and delivery nurses can help you understand what to do next. There’s never any cost to talk with our team.
Connect with one of our registered nurses now.
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How Vacuum-Related Delays Affect Milestones
Children who were injured during a vacuum-assisted delivery may need extra time or support to reach developmental milestones. Tracking your child’s progress can help you spot early delays and get help sooner.
Medical professionals typically monitor development in these key areas:
- Cognitive: Exploring objects, recognizing familiar people, showing curiosity
- Motor skills: Holding up the head, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking
- Self-help: Grasping toys, feeding, holding a cup, or trying to dress
- Social and emotional: Smiling, responding to others, showing interest in people
- Speech and language: Babbling, saying words, following simple directions
Children with brain damage or nerve injuries from vacuum delivery may reach milestones later than expected or in an unusual pattern. The type and severity of the injury often determine how development is affected.
Using a milestone checklist or journal can help you track changes and share concerns with your child’s doctor. If you’re concerned your child may be showing signs of a brain damage-related developmental delay, take our free milestone quiz now.
IS YOUR CHILD MISSING DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES?
Take Our Milestones Quiz
Taking note of your child’s physical, social, and emotional skills can help you determine if they potentially suffered from an injury at birth. An early diagnosis can help your child get the treatment they need as soon as possible.
Q1: How old is your child?
0-2 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Can your child hold their head steadily on their own?
- Q3: Can your child push themselves up when they are lying on their stomach?
- Q4: Has your child started to make smoother movements with their arms and legs?
- Q5: Does your child smile at other people?
- Q6: Can your child bring their hands to their mouth?
- Q7: Does your child turn their head when they hear a noise?
- Q8: Does your child coo or make gurgling noises?
- Q9: Does your child follow things with their eyes?
- Q10: Does your child try to look at their parents or caregivers?
- Q11: Does your child show boredom, cry, or fuss when engaged in an activity that hasn’t changed in a while?
3-4 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Can your child hold their head steadily on their own?
- Q3: Does your child push down on their legs when their feet are on a flat surface?
- Q4: Has your child started to roll over from their stomach to their back?
- Q5: Can your child hold and shake a toy such as a rattle?
- Q6: Does your child bring their hands to their mouth?
- Q7: Does your child play with people and start to cry when the playing stops?
- Q8: Does your child smile spontaneously, especially at people?
- Q9: Does your child copy some movements and facial expressions of other people?
- Q10: Does your child babble with expressions and copy sounds they hear?
- Q11: Does your child cry in different ways to show hunger, pain, or tiredness?
- Q12: Does your child respond to affection like hugging or kissing?
- Q13: Does your child follow moving things with their eyes from side to side?
- Q14: Does your child recognize familiar people at a distance?
5-6 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Can your child roll over on both sides (front to back/back to front)?
- Q3: Has your child begun to sit without support?
- Q4: Does your child rock back and forth?
- Q5: Can your child support their weight on their legs (and perhaps bounce) when standing?
- Q6: Has your child begun to pass things from one hand to the other?
- Q7: Does your child bring objects such as toys to their mouth?
- Q8: Does your child know if someone is not familiar to them and is a stranger?
- Q9: Does your child respond to other people’s emotions, such as a smile or a frown?
- Q10: Does your child enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror?
- Q11: Does your child look at things around them?
- Q12: Does your child respond to sounds they hear by making sounds themselves?
- Q13: Does your child make sounds to show joy or displeasure?
- Q14: Does your child respond to their own name?
- Q15: Has your child started to string vowels together, such as "ah," "eh," or "oh," or started to say consonant sounds such as "m" or "b"?
- Q16: Has your child begun to laugh?
7-9 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Can your child crawl?
- Q3: Can your child stand while holding on to something to support them?
- Q4: Can your child sit without support?
- Q5: Can your child pull themselves up to stand?
- Q6: Does your child play peekaboo?
- Q7: Can your child move things from one hand to the other?
- Q8: Can your child pick small things up, such as a piece of cereal, with their thumb and index finger?
- Q9: Does your child look for things that they see you hide?
- Q10: Does your child watch the path of something as it falls?
- Q11: Does your child show fear when around strangers?
- Q12: Does your child become clingy with adults who are familiar to them?
- Q13: Does your child have favorite toys?
- Q14: Does your child use their fingers to point?
- Q15: Does your child understand “no”?
- Q16: Does your child make a lot of repetitive sounds, such as “mamama” or “bababa”?
- Q17: Does your child copy the sounds and gestures of other people?
10-12 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Can your child stand alone with no support?
- Q3: Does your child walk while holding on to furniture?
- Q4: Can your child take a few steps without holding on to anything?
- Q5: Can your child get into a sitting position without any help?
- Q6: Does your child bang two things together when playing?
- Q7: Does your child poke with their index finger?
- Q8: Has your child started to use things like hairbrushes or drinking cups correctly?
- Q9: Does your child find hidden objects easily?
- Q10: Does your child play peekaboo or pat-a-cake?
- Q11: Does your child become shy or nervous around strangers?
- Q12: Does your child repeat actions or sounds to get attention?
- Q13: Does your child put out an arm or leg to help when getting dressed?
- Q14: Does your child cry when a parent leaves the room?
- Q15: Does your child show that they have favorite things or people?
- Q16: Does your child show fear?
- Q17: Does your child say things such as “mama,” “dada,” or “uh-oh”?
- Q18: Does your child try to say the words you say?
- Q19: Has your child started to use gestures like waving or shaking their head “no”?
13-18 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Can your child walk by themselves?
- Q3: Does your child walk up stairs and run?
- Q4: Does your child pull toys while walking?
- Q5: Can your child drink from a cup on their own?
- Q6: Can your child eat with a spoon on their own?
- Q7: Can your child help undress themselves?
- Q8: Does your child have occasional temper tantrums?
- Q9: Does your child show affection to familiar people?
- Q10: Does your child become clingy in new situations?
- Q11: Does your child explore their environment alone with parents close by?
- Q12: Can your child say several single words?
- Q13: Can your child say and shake their head “no”?
- Q14: Does your child point to show things to other people?
- Q15: Does your child scribble?
- Q16: Does your child know what ordinary products such as phones, spoons, and brushes are used for?
- Q17: Can your child follow one-step commands such as “sit down” or “stand up”?
- Q18: Does your child play with a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed it?
19-23 MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Has your child begun to run?
- Q3: Has your child kicked a ball?
- Q4: Can your child climb down and onto furniture on their own?
- Q5: Can your child walk up and down stairs while holding on?
- Q6: Can your child stand on their tiptoes?
- Q7: Has your child thrown a ball overhand?
- Q8: Does your child copy others, especially people older than them?
- Q9: Does your child get excited around other children?
- Q10: Has your child shown more independence as they've aged?
- Q11: Does your child do what they were told not to do and become defiant?
- Q12: Does your child point to things when they are named?
- Q13: Does your child know names of familiar people or body parts?
- Q14: Does your child say 2 to 4-word sentences?
- Q15: Does your child repeat words they hear?
- Q16: Does your child complete sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
- Q17: Does your child name items in books, such as dogs, cats, and birds?
- Q18: Does your child play simple pretend games?
- Q19: Has your child started to use one hand more than the other?
- Q20: Has your child begun to sort shapes and colors?
- Q21: Does your child follow 2-step instructions, such as “pick up your hat and put it on your head?”
24+ MONTHS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES QUIZ
- Q2: Can your child run easily?
- Q3: Can your child climb?
- Q4: Can your child walk up and down stairs with one foot on each step?
- Q5: Can your child dress and undress themselves?
- Q6: Does your child show affection for friends without being told?
- Q7: Does your child take turns when playing games?
- Q8: Does your child show concern when others are crying?
- Q9: Does your child understand the idea of “mine" and "theirs"?
- Q10: Does your child show many different emotions?
- Q11: Does your child copy adults and friends?
- Q12: Does your child separate easily from their parents?
- Q13: Does your child get upset when there is a major change in their routine?
- Q14: Does your child say words such as “I,” “me,” “we,” “you,” and some plural nouns?
- Q15: Can your child say their first name, age, and gender?
- Q16: Can your child carry on a conversation with 2 to 3 sentences?
- Q17: Can your child work toys with buttons and other moving parts?
- Q18: Does your child play pretend with dolls, animals, or people?
- Q19: Can your child finish 3 or 4 piece puzzles?
- Q20: Can your child copy a circle when drawing?
- Q21: Can your child turn pages of a book one page at a time?
- Q22: Can your child turn door handles?
Diagnosing a Developmental Delay
Developmental delays caused by vacuum-related injuries are usually diagnosed through a combination of routine screenings, medical history, and specialist evaluations. Pediatricians often begin checking for signs of delay during regular checkups.
Early screenings focus on how your child is developing in key areas like movement, speech, social interaction, and problem-solving. If concerns come up, your child may need further testing.
- Developmental checklists to compare your child’s progress to typical milestones
- Neuroimaging tests, such as MRI or cranial ultrasound to check for brain injury
- Neurological exams to assess reflexes, muscle tone, posture, and coordination
- Referrals to specialists like pediatric neurologists or developmental pediatricians
An early diagnosis allows families to begin therapies and services that may improve a child’s long-term development and quality of life.
Treating Developmental Delays Caused by Vacuum Injuries
Early treatment can make a meaningful difference in your child’s development, especially when delays are identified and addressed as soon as possible.
Treatment focuses on helping children reach their full potential, improve their quality of life, and build independence over time. Each plan is tailored to the child’s specific needs based on the type and severity of their delays.
- Assistive devices such as braces, walkers, or communication aids
- Behavioral therapy to support emotional regulation and social development
- Occupational therapy to improve feeding, dressing, writing, and other daily skills
- Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve coordination and movement
- Special education to address learning needs in school settings
- Speech therapy to improve language, communication, and swallowing
These therapies can be critical to long-term progress, but they can also be expensive. If your child’s delays were caused by medical negligence during delivery, your family may be eligible for compensation to help cover treatment and ongoing care.
Get Legal Help for Your Child’s Vacuum Extraction Injury
Caring for a child with developmental delays from a vacuum-related birth injury can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. Many families face years of therapy, medical appointments, and specialized care to support their child’s progress.
If your child’s injury was caused by medical negligence during vacuum delivery, you may be able to pursue compensation. A birth injury lawsuit can help cover the cost of treatment, long-term care, and other essential needs.
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.
Vacuum Extraction Delivery and Developmental Delay FAQs
What is an instrumental delivery, and when is it used?
An instrumental delivery is when a health care provider uses tools like a vacuum device or forceps to assist with a vaginal birth.
This may be needed during the second stage of labor if the baby’s heart rate drops, labor stalls, or complications arise, like prolonged labor or shoulder dystocia (baby’s shoulders get lodged behind the pelvis).
Obstetricians carefully evaluate the fetal head position and the safety of using a suction cup or ventouse before proceeding.
What birth injuries can result from improper use of a vacuum device?
Improper use of a vacuum device can lead to serious neonatal complications, including brain bleeds, hematomas, lacerations, or swelling under the scalp called caput succedaneum.
These injuries occur when fragile blood vessels rupture during delivery. Babies with a bleeding disorder may be at even higher risk. Follow-up care is essential if any of these conditions are suspected after birth.
Can vacuum extraction cause developmental delay?
Yes, vacuum extraction can cause developmental delay if it leads to a birth injury, such as brain damage, oxygen deprivation, or nerve trauma.
While many vacuum-assisted deliveries are safe, errors like using too much force or failing to monitor fetal distress can result in long-term developmental issues that affect a child’s movement, learning, or behavior.
What are the potential complications of vacuum delivery?
Vacuum delivery can lead to both minor and serious complications, depending on how the procedure is performed and the baby’s condition.
Possible complications of vacuum extraction include:
- Bleeding under the scalp (cephalohematoma or subgaleal hemorrhage)
- Brain damage from oxygen deprivation
- Facial nerve injuries
- Skull fractures
Some of these injuries may heal on their own, while others can lead to long-term developmental issues.
Can vacuum delivery cause ADHD?
Vacuum delivery is not a known direct cause of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, complications during birth, such as brain injury or lack of oxygen, have been studied as possible risk factors.
If a vacuum-assisted delivery causes serious harm, it may increase the chance of developmental or behavioral issues that affect focus, learning, or impulse control.
Does vacuum delivery affect a baby’s brain?
Vacuum delivery can affect a baby’s brain if it leads to complications like bleeding, swelling, or oxygen deprivation. In serious cases, these injuries may cause long-term effects like developmental delays or cerebral palsy.
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.
What are the side effects of vacuum suction?
Vacuum suction during childbirth can cause side effects ranging from mild to serious. Most mild side effects heal on their own, but more serious injuries may require medical attention.
In rare cases, vacuum extraction complications may include:
- Brain damage from bleeding or lack of oxygen
- Cerebral palsy caused by injury to the developing brain
- Skull fractures from excessive pressure
- Subgaleal hemorrhage, which is bleeding under the scalp
If your baby is showing signs of harm after a vacuum 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.
Is forceps delivery safer than vacuum delivery?
Forceps delivery and vacuum extraction are both forms of operative vaginal delivery used during difficult births. The safest option depends on the situation and the obstetric provider’s experience.
Each method carries risks. Forceps may cause facial injuries or maternal incontinence, while vacuums can cause head trauma. An episiotomy (small surgical cut to widen the vaginal opening) may be needed in either case.
Always speak with your health care provider about the safest option for your delivery.
