" alt="">
Assisted Delivery Errors
Reviewed by
Peter Rigby - Managing Director of Medical Negligence | Last updated on: 9th May, 2025
We've got your Assisted Delivery Error Claim covered
- No win No fee
- Not just lawyers - real specialists
- No obligation
- UK's highest-rated medical negligence solicitors
If you or your baby suffered harm during an assisted delivery, you may be entitled to claim compensation. At Patient Claim Line, we understand how distressing birth injuries can be, and we are here to guide you through the process of seeking justice and support for your assisted delivery claim. Our expert medical negligence solicitors will help you understand your options and assist you every step of the way.
What is assisted delivery?
Assisted delivery, or assisted vaginal delivery, refers to the use of medical instruments to help deliver a baby when the birth is not progressing as expected; this can be necessary if complications prevent a safe and smooth delivery. In some cases, clinical errors during the procedure may result in significant injuries to both mother and child, leading to potential claims for medical negligence.
Find out if you
have a claim
Take the 10-second claim test
Free Advice
03300 080 352
claim form
We're the highest-rated No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitors on Trustpilot
When and why is assisted delivery used?
There are a few reasons why your healthcare team may decide to use assistance during delivery if labour is prolonged:
- The baby is in distress and there are heart rate concerns.
- There are concerns about the baby’s movement, or the baby is in a breech position, prompting the need for an assisted breech delivery.
- The mother is too exhausted or unable to continue pushing.
- An epidural is required, which might affect the natural progression of the labour and the mother’s ability to push.
- You are delivering a premature baby (in these circumstances, forceps can help to protect your baby’s head).
These interventions are meant to ensure a safer delivery for both the mother and the baby, but if something goes wrong or the procedure is performed incorrectly, it can lead to serious and avoidable injuries.
Will I be asked for consent?
Yes, your midwife or obstetrician will ask for your consent before carrying out an assisted birth. They should explain to you in full their reasons for involving the instruments in the procedure and the process of how it will be performed.
How common is an assisted birth?
In the UK, around 1 in 8 vaginal births involve some form of assisted delivery, either using forceps, ventouse or sometimes even a Caesarean section. They are less common in women who have previously had vaginal births.
Methods of assisted delivery
Forceps and ventouse are the two most common instruments used in assisted deliveries. Both methods aim to help the baby move through the birth canal when the natural pushing stage isn’t sufficient. In more severe cases, a caesarian section may be required if a vaginal birth is decided too risky for the mother or baby.
Assisted delivery with forceps
Forceps are a large, spoon-shaped instrument that is carefully placed around the baby’s head. The forceps help guide the baby out during a contraction, and the doctor or midwife will gently pull to assist the birth. Forceps may be necessary if the baby is not descending properly or if the mother is unable to push effectively. However, when used incorrectly or too forcefully, forceps can cause injuries to the baby’s head, face or neck, and even lead to more serious complications like nerve damage.
Assisted delivery with a ventouse
A ventouse delivery, also known as a vacuum delivery, involves a suction cup that is attached to the baby’s head to help deliver them. The cup is connected to a vacuum pump and the suction helps guide the baby out of the birth canal. Ventouse delivery can be less invasive than forceps and is often used in situations where there is a need for assistance but the baby’s position is not ideal for forceps. Like forceps, though, improper use or failure to apply the suction correctly can cause harm to the baby, including bruising, swelling or, in severe cases, it can cause brain damage.
Caesarean section (c-section)
A Caesarean section is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. While this method isn’t usually considered “assisted delivery” in the traditional sense, it is an intervention that may be necessary when complications arise during vaginal delivery, including failure of assisted delivery methods or concerns for the mother’s or baby’s health. C-sections are typically performed when vaginal birth isn’t possible or is deemed unsafe, and although generally safe, they carry their own set of risks.
What are the risks of having an assisted birth?
While these interventions are often crucial in saving lives, there are risks involved.
Risks to mother
Assisted deliveries, while generally safe, can pose several risks to the mother, particularly if complications arise during the procedure. These risks may include:
- Bleeding: Assisted deliveries, particularly with forceps, may increase the risk of vaginal or internal bleeding. This can be a significant concern if the procedure isn’t performed correctly.
- Episiotomy and tears: In some cases, a surgical cut (episiotomy) is made to facilitate the assisted delivery. This can lead to longer healing times and may result in more severe perineal tearing, especially if the forceps or ventouse are used improperly.
- Bowel and bladder damage: Injuries to the pelvic region during assisted delivery can sometimes lead to bowel or bladder problems, including incontinence or difficulty controlling bodily functions.
- Blood clots: Surgical procedures or complicated births can increase the risk of blood clots, which can be dangerous if not properly managed.
Risks to baby
Assisted births can also carry risks to the baby, especially if the procedure is not performed properly or if complications arise. Some of the risks include:
- Physical injury: Forceps or ventouse can sometimes cause bruising, cuts, or other physical injuries to the baby, particularly if they are not used correctly. In some cases, they can cause temporary changes in a baby’s head shape (succedaneum), resulting in a cone-like appearance.
- Brain injury: In rare cases, improper use of forceps or ventouse can result in brain injury, including traumatic head injuries, which may have long-term effects on the child.
- Long-term effects: In more severe cases, injuries sustained during assisted delivery can lead to lifelong conditions, including cerebral palsy, developmental delays or other neurological impairments.
What is assisted delivery negligence?
Assisted delivery negligence refers to errors made during the use of forceps, ventouse or other assisted delivery methods that result in harm to the mother or baby. This can include failure to properly use the instruments, inappropriate timing of the procedure, lack of proper monitoring or failure to take appropriate action when complications arise. When medical staff do not follow the proper procedures or make mistakes that lead to injury, there may be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
Do I have a claim?
If you or your baby were injured during an assisted delivery, you may be entitled to claim compensation if the harm was caused by a medical error or negligence. To be eligible, you will need to prove that the medical staff did not meet the required standard of care, resulting in an avoidable injury.
How we can help you find out quickly
At Patient Claim Line, our expert solicitors will review the details of your case to determine whether you have grounds for a claim. We offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can get clear answers quickly.
Why Choose Patient Claim Line for your Assisted Delivery Error Claim?
Not just lawyers — medical negligence experts
Patient Claim Line was established in 2014 and consists of a team of medical lawyers specialising in medical negligence and misdiagnosis claims.
At Patient Claim Line, we have more than 100 solicitors with a combined experience of over 400 years, and they will work on your behalf to achieve the best result possible for you.
It’s not enough to use a solicitor who sometimes covers medical negligence. You need someone who knows this area through and through. That is what the solicitors here at Patient Claim Line do. They deal exclusively in this area of law and are experts in the field.
Frequently asked questions about Assisted Delivery Error Claims
Our expert legal team answer your questions about making an Assisted Delivery Error Claim
When you initially contact a medical negligence solicitor, they will talk through what happened and assess if you have grounds for a birth injury claim. After this, they will investigate and assess all evidence and medical records. You may be asked to provide proof of any financial losses or future costs. Everything is taken care of by expert solicitors who will explain the process step by step and answer every question you may have.
There are many injuries associated with birth which can be considered ‘normal’. However, there are also cases where birth injuries are not normal and are a result of medical negligence during your pregnancy or birth. Speak to a specialist birth negligence lawyer who can help you understand if your birth injury could have been avoided with better medical care.
You usually have three years from the date of the birth injury to make a claim if the claim is for yourself. This can also be extended to three years from the date of discovery if the birth injury does not become apparent until later. You have until the child’s 18th birthday to make a claim on their behalf. Children can claim for a birth injury that affected them for up to three years after the date of their 18th birthday.
Hospitals do not always want to admit liability, especially for birth injuries which can be so devastating to a family. Some claims may take months, while others could take years. It will all come down to the individual circumstances, but you will be kept informed at each stage of your claim.
Assisted delivery error compensation is calculated according to the physical, mental and emotional impact it has. This includes practical factors such as loss of earnings or care costs for your child, as well as costs for the trauma and the injury itself. No birth injury claim is the same as another and so compensation will depend on the severity of the birth injury and the long-lasting effects.
It is unlikely that you would have to go to court for an assisted delivery claim. Less than 1% of claims ever make it to court. The vast majority of birth injury claims are handled by specialist lawyers who represent you and do the work on your behalf.
Meet our Assisted Delivery Error team
Case Study
Vincent's Story
"He's always there for us"
At the age of 2 we noticed our son Vincent had trouble with his hearing. We had this testing over a number of years and were repeatedly told there was nothing wrong.
Initially we thought this was a speech and language problem, this wasn't the case. It took 4 to 5 years of assessments, with the constant response that there was nothing wrong with his hearing. A different test was them carried on Vincent overnight where it was found he was profoundly deaf.
After years of frustration we were finally able to provide Vincent with the support he required and received an implant. This has enable Vincent to be able to hear. The support from our solicitors has enabled to to gain access to specialist which have supported Vincent in closing the gap in his speech he lost out on to his peers.
