Family friend Cinda Castle says Olivia Marie Coats suffered injuries when a doctor used forceps to deliver the child Saturday in Port Neches.
Castle said, "Her skull had been crushed by the forceps and her spine twisted and severed."
The baby was taken off life support and died over New Year's at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. Coats' loved ones say she was fine up until the delivery and they want a law banning the use of forceps.
"From ultrasounds and doctor visits and everything during the delivery process right before the forceps was used, everything was perfect," Castle explained.
doctors say forceps are used when mothers become fatigued and cannot push out their baby. Physicians say banning forceps may be drastic.
Dr. J. Coffy Pieternelle, an obstetrician, said, "You don't want to overreact because forceps can be helpful under the right circumstances."
The doctor who delivered the baby is said to be distraught about the death. The Port Arthur hospital where Olivia was born is reviewing this case.
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