Childbirth is an amazing process: one of nature’s miracles. Sometimes, however, things go wrong. The healthcare professionals that you rely on during the birth of your child have a duty to provide you with competent care. If they haven’t done so, you may have a case for medical malpractice. Read on to find out what a Baltimore, MD medical malpractice attorney has to say about the subject.
Ask a Medical Malpractice Lawyer: What Qualifies as Medical Negligence During Childbirth?
Medical negligence during childbirth, also known as obstetric malpractice, can encompass a range of actions or failures to act by healthcare providers that fall below the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the mother, baby, or both. Here are some common examples of medical negligence during childbirth:
Failure To Monitor
Doctors, nurses, and midwives have a duty to continuously monitor the mother and baby’s condition during labor and delivery. Failure to adequately monitor fetal heart rate, contractions, and other vital signs can result in delayed detection of fetal distress or other complications, leading to injury or death.
Delayed or Improper Decision-Making
Healthcare providers must make timely and appropriate decisions during childbirth, such as determining when to proceed with a cesarean section (C-section) or other interventions. Delays or errors in decision-making can lead to preventable birth injuries, such as oxygen deprivation or trauma.
Medication Errors
Administering the wrong medication or incorrect dosages during labor and delivery can have serious consequences for both the mother and baby. Examples include administering incorrect pain medication, inducing labor with inappropriate drugs, or administering anesthesia improperly.
Improper Use of Delivery Tools
In some cases, healthcare providers may need to use forceps or vacuum extractors to assist with delivery. Use of these tools in and of itself does not constitute negligence or malpractice. However, improper use of these tools, such as excessive force or incorrect positioning, can cause birth injuries such as skull fractures, nerve damage, or facial or scalp lacerations (the last of these injuries accounts for roughly 80% of all birth injuries).
Failure To Recognize and Respond to Complications
Complications can arise during childbirth that require prompt recognition and intervention. Examples include umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, shoulder dystocia, and maternal hemorrhage. Failure to recognize or respond to these complications can result in serious harm to the mother or baby.
Inadequate Prenatal Care
Although it does not technically occur during childbirth, negligence during prenatal care can contribute to complications during childbirth. Examples include failure to diagnose or properly manage maternal health conditions (such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia), failure to identify fetal abnormalities, or failure to provide appropriate counseling and guidance to expectant mothers.
Informed Consent Issues
Healthcare providers must obtain informed consent from the mother before performing medical procedures or interventions during childbirth. This includes explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives to any proposed treatment. Failure to obtain valid informed consent, either by failing to enumerate risks or to give all possible options, may constitute medical negligence.
How a Baltimore, MD Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help
If you believe you or your child have been harmed due to medical negligence during childbirth, it’s essential to consult with a qualified medical malpractice attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options. Click here to find out more about how a specialist lawyer can help you file your case.
These are just a few examples of medical negligence during childbirth. Each case is unique, and whether an action or omission constitutes negligence depends on the specific circumstances of your case. However, if you or your baby have suffered as a result of inappropriate treatment decisions made by a medical professional during childbirth, then be assured that you deserve recompense.