Complications from suction?

A coworker told me suction during delivery may cause brain damage in the baby. (Why do people always bring up horror stories??) I've never heard this before and I haven't been able to find anything about it online or in my books. They all seem to reference suction as if it's no big deal. I have no idea if the baby will need suction but I'd like to go into the delivery fully informed, if possible... Has anyone heard anything about this? As if we needed one more thing to worry about!

my sister almost had that problem.. it casue a HIGE bruised lunp on his head, off to one sid,e that wasnt going down, but it eventually did, and he is fine.
Yes, it can go bad, and be used to hard, and cause problems, but i dont think it happens that mcuh.

[rebeccav]

Do you mean vacuum extraction or suctioning fluids from the baby's mouth at birth?

With vacuum extraction, I have heard of brain damage to the baby if it is done incorrectly (the suction cup applied to the wrong part of the baby's head - it is supposed to be applied to the crown of the head). I attended a birth last May as a doula, and the couple next door to the couple I was working with had a baby boy by vacuum extraction, and the baby had to be later flown to a Children's Hospital for a seizure he suffered after birth. Later I heard he had suffered brain damage and that it was linked to the vacuum.

I don't see how suctioning fluids from the baby's mouth could cause brain damage, but I know that other problems with breastfeeding are sometimes linked to fluid suctioning.

hmmm didnt stop to think it could be the other suctioning...

[Liz-at-home]

Well, my ds was born with the aide of a vacuum extrraction and he had absolutely no problems at all, not even a mark on his head even though the device popped off once and had to be reattached. The "vacuum" or "suction" isn't either, really. It is basically a round suction cup with a handle- sorta like what you put on glass or tile to hang things. Once the handle is attached to the baby's head, the doctor guides the baby out- there is nothing "sucking" at the baby's head. I didn't know that before my childbirth class, I thought they actually sucked the baby out, but no, it isn't like that at all. The doctor controls everything and if you are comfortable with your doctor that is the most important part.

Before you get too upset about the horror stories, keep in mind that there is probably some sort of problem in the first place for there to be a need for the vacuum. Who knows how bad the baby would come out without the vacuum, know what I mean? When used properly by your trusted physician, the vacuum is very helpful. Every moment is crucial when there is any sort of fetal distress.

Relax, don't worry.