Serious injuries associated with vacuum extraction, such as subgaleal haemorrhage, skull fracture and intracranial injury, continue to be reported. There is little doubt that many of the problems and unfavourable results encountered after vacuum delivery are a consequence of incorrect use of the instrument and should, therefore, be preventable.
Incorrect use of the vacuum extractor may occur for a number of reasons, namely, uncertainty of the indications for the procedure, lack of familiarity with the equipment, inadequate technique of vacuum extraction and a lack of awareness of the safety measures.
There is an extensive article on vacuum extraction here
This video shows a doctor describing both vacuum extraction and forceps delivery practices. The 2nd video shows the profound bruising to a newborns head and face as a result of vacuum extraction assistance during birth. Thankfully forceps delivery accounts for only 1% of births in America while vacuum extraction accounts for 4%. While these numbers seem small as percentages, but with around 4 million births a year in the US, it is in reality around two hundred thousands of babies. So add to the list of questions for your doctor, what and how much experience do you have with forceps and vacuum extraction assisted births do you have? & Under what circumstances would you use them?
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