A Texas couple is suing Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Kessler Women’s Healthcare, and several staff members after their newborn son, Prime, died within hours of birth following a vacuum-assisted delivery. The lawsuit, filed May 29, claims the OB-GYN’s decision to attempt vaginal birth instead of a timely C-section led to the child’s traumatic brain injury and death.
“Short Life and Prolonged Death”
This Article Includes
According to the filing, Prime died from internal brain bleeding caused by the use of a vacuum extraction device, a suction-cup tool attached to the baby’s head to assist in delivery. The couple argues that a C-section should have been performed earlier, especially given the mother’s critical health indicators: a high fever, preeclampsia, and signs of fetal distress.
The mother, 32, was admitted to the hospital on April 4, 2024, after her water broke. Although she had been under regular care, the doctor on call—not her regular OB-GYN—was the one to manage the delivery. With complications stacking up and the baby reportedly having a large head, the parents say a Cesarean was clearly the safer choice.
Instead, the doctor attempted a vacuum-assisted delivery four times, with the device popping off twice, according to the suit. The force used during the attempt was so intense that the father reported hearing a “loud sound” and said the doctor was pushed backward in her chair due to the suction failure.
Infant’s Final Hours
After the traumatic delivery, Prime was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When the mother saw the condition of her son’s neck, she was devastated.
Prime survived for 24 painful hours before passing away. Initially, the family was told their baby died from an E. coli infection contracted during labor. But a subsequent autopsy revealed the true cause of death: brain hemorrhages caused by the vacuum-assisted delivery.
A Family’s Heartbreak
The parents, both teachers, describe themselves as “permanently wounded.” The lawsuit details the emotional toll they’ve faced—nightmares, sleeplessness, intrusive thoughts, and a daily life that’s been deeply altered.
An independent review by another doctor concluded that Prime might have been born “healthy and whole” if the delivery had been performed via C-section.
The family claims they were never informed about the risks of vacuum-assisted delivery and are suing for negligence, lack of informed consent, and wrongful death.
Hospital and Doctor Respond
Methodist Health System issued a brief statement, saying it has a longstanding policy of not commenting on pending litigation.
The doctor involved, speaking to The Dallas Morning News, declined to address specific patient details but said,
“I am committed to providing the highest quality medical care possible to my patients.”
As the grieving parents continue to seek justice, the case highlights the risks of assisted vaginal births and the importance of timely, well-informed medical decisions during high-risk deliveries.
