Last Updated on September 18, 2026 by tanya

Forceps Delivery Birth Injuries in England & Wales

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings more than 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

 

Signs, Risks & Your Legal Options

Forceps are sometimes needed delivering a baby, but when the procedure isn’t carried out correctly, it can potentially lead to forceps delivery birth injuries which may have been avoidable. In England and Wales, if a birth delivery is not progressing as it should, forceps may be used and baby or mother could suffer harm as a result. But many families don’t realise that some of these injuries may have been due to substandard medical care and that they could be entitled to medical negligence compensation.

If you or your baby were injured during a forceps assisted delivery, we look at the signs to be alert for and what steps you can take if you believe your treatment fell below the expected standard of care.

 

When May A Forceps Delivery Be Necessary?

A forceps delivery is an assisted birth where metal instruments shaped like large tongs are used to guide the baby’s head through the birth canal. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) states that 1 in 3 women having their first baby will have an assisted vaginal birth. Overall, about 1 in 8 births in the UK will be an assisted vaginal birth. It’s important to note that the RCOG reassures families that most babies born this way are perfectly well at birth and do not suffer any long term health issues.

However, obstetricians may recommend the use of forceps when:

• The baby needs help rotating into the correct position
• Labour has stalled
• The mother is exhausted
• There are concerns about the baby’s heart rate
• A vaginal birth is still considered safer than an emergency caesarean

 

How Forceps Delivery Injuries May Happen

Forceps injuries often occur when clinicians fail to follow established guidelines or apply excessive force. The NHS highlights that “forceps are safe and only used when necessary for you and your baby”.

Examples of forceps delivery injuries may include:

 

• Incorrect placement of the forceps blades
• Using forceps when the baby is too high in the birth canal
• Applying too much traction
• Failing to monitor foetal distress
• Continuing with forceps when caesarean section would have been safer
• Poor communication or lack of consent
• Multiple failed attempts without escalation

 

Any of the above failings may indicate that the standard of care fell below what a competent practitioner should provide.

 

Birth Injuries to the Baby After Forceps Delivery

Forceps can potentially cause a range of injuries, some visible immediately, some which will heal quickly and other injuries which are ore serious or only emerging over time. A new parent may want to check:

 

• Facial bruising or marks from the forceps blades
• Facial nerve damage, leading to temporary or permanent weakness
• Skull fractures
• Bleeding under the scalp (cephalohaematoma)
• Intracranial haemorrhage
• Eye injuries, including retinal bleeding
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Seizures or neurological symptoms
• Developmental delays later in childhood

 

Birth Injuries to the Mother After Forceps Delivery

Forceps deliveries may also cause maternal trauma, with injuries including:

• Severe perineal tears, including 3rd and 4th degree tears
• Pelvic floor damage
• Postpartum haemorrhage
• Long‑term urinary or bowel dysfunction
• Vaginal or cervical lacerations
• Infection due to poor technique or delayed intervention
• Chronic pain

 

When Forceps Delivery Can Become Negligent

It’s important to know that not every forceps injury is caused by negligence. However, negligence may have occurred if the following errors caused harm to baby or mother:

 

• The clinician used forceps when they were not clinically appropriate
• The baby’s position was unsuitable for forceps
• Excessive traction was applied
• The forceps were placed incorrectly
• Foetal distress was ignored or not escalated
• A caesarean section should have been performed instead
• You were not informed of the risks or alternatives

 

What Is Medical Negligence in a Forceps Birth Delivery?

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional breaches their duty of care and causes avoidable harm. To succeed in a claim, you must be able to show that:

 

Duty: you were owed safe, competent care

Breach: the clinician failed to meet the correct standard

Causation: the breach directly caused your or your baby’s injury

Damage: physical, psychological, or financial harm

 

Time Limits for Forceps Birth Injury Claims

A mother generally has three years to start a medical negligence claim. This time limit begins:

• On the date of the negligent delivery, or
• When you first realised your injury was caused by negligence (“date of knowledge”)

But for babies, the rules are different. A child has until their 21st birthday to bring a claim which gives  families more time to understand the long‑term impact of the injury.

 

Evidence That Helps Support Your Forceps Birth Injury Claim

A strong medical negligence claim is built on clear, accurate evidence which helps establish what happened during the birth and whether the injuries were avoidable.  Therefore, your solicitor may gather the following:

 

• Maternity notes and hospital records
• CTG traces and labour monitoring data
• Photographs of injuries
• Witness statements
• Independent medical reports
• Developmental assessments for the child
• Psychological evaluations for the mother

 

Steps To Take If You Believe Forceps Negligence Occurred

If you suspect your forceps delivery was mishandled, here’s what to do next:

1. Seek medical attention

The first priority is that both mother and baby receive appropriate treatment and diagnosis.

2. Request your medical records

These often form the foundation of a medical negligence claim as they help identify how exactly the delivery was managed.

3. Speak to a specialist birth injury solicitor

We work with experienced medical negligence lawyers who offer an initial, free consultation to assess whether you have a valid claim. Going forward, they also offer No Win No Fee agreements which means you can go ahead to seek compensation without financial risk. You will pay a capped fee if you win your claim.

4. Attend independent medical assessments

Experts will assess the extent of injuries and long‑term impact and your solicitor can help to arrange these consultations.

5. Building Your Case

Your solicitor will gather evidence, instruct medical experts and negotiate with the NHS or private provider.

6. Receive compensation

Generally, compensation covers pain, suffering, therapy, future care needs, home adaptations and lost income. As each claim is unique, your solicitor can provide you with an estimate for your specific case.

Call Our Team: Free Consultation

Forceps delivery injuries may have long‑lasting effects on both mother and baby. If your assisted birth involved incorrect forceps placement, excessive traction or delayed escalation to caesarean section, you may be able to claim compensation.

We can guide you through the process to get the compensation you deserve. Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online for a free consultation.

 

This article provides general legal information and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. In all instances you should always consult with a medical professional around life expectancy questions.