Types Of Prenatal Care Malpractice

Being pregnant is an exciting time that can also be filled with concerns and worries. That’s why it’s important to ensure you are receiving the best possible care from your medical provider.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated over 75% of women in the U.S. receive early and adequate prenatal care. Unfortunately, there are situations in which medical professionals fail to meet their duty of care to expectant parents and their unborn children, leading to harm.

Our Deerfield Beach medical malpractice lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez represent individuals harmed by various forms of medical malpractice, including those related to childbirth, labor, and prenatal care.

Types of Prenatal Care Malpractice

These are the five types of prenatal care malpractice that may occur and what steps you should take if you feel you have been a victim of such negligence.

1. Failure to Recognize Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that occurs during pregnancy when a mother has high blood pressure and other symptoms like protein in her urine. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious health complications for both the mother and baby. It is the responsibility of doctors and other healthcare providers to recognize the signs of preeclampsia so they can provide appropriate treatment in a timely manner. If medical professionals fail to do so, it may be considered prenatal malpractice.

2. Failure to Administer Appropriate Tests

Pregnant women must undergo a variety of tests throughout their pregnancy in order to detect any potential health issues or complications early on. These tests help ensure that both mother and baby get the best possible care and outcome. If healthcare providers fail to administer these tests or do not act on the results they receive, they may be liable for any resulting harm caused by the delay in diagnosis or treatment.

3. Failure to Recognize the Need for C-Section

C-sections are major surgeries often performed when natural childbirth poses risks for either mother or baby (or both). Healthcare professionals must monitor labor closely and be prepared to perform an emergency C-section if necessary—even if it means going against a patient’s wishes for natural childbirth. Failure to do so could result in permanent harm or even death for either mother or baby, making it a clear form of prenatal malpractice.

4. Failure to Diagnose Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy, usually due to hormonal changes within the body during this time period. It is important for healthcare providers to recognize the symptoms of gestational diabetes early on so they can adjust diet plans accordingly and monitor them closely throughout pregnancy as needed. Failing to diagnose gestational diabetes promptly can lead to serious health complications for both mother and baby down the line.

5. Inadequate Testing or Diagnostics

Lastly, inadequate testing or diagnostics can also constitute prenatal malpractice if these issues result in preventable harm caused by delays in diagnosis or treatment later on down the line. This type of negligence typically involves missing important signs or symptoms that could have been detected earlier on with better testing or diagnostic measures taken at an earlier point in time.

Contact a Lawyer at Leifer & Ramirez for a Free Case Evaluation

Overall, there are various forms of prenatal care malpractice that patients should be aware of before giving birth—from failure to recognize preeclampsia all the way through inadequate testing or diagnostics measures taken too late into pregnancy. If you feel you were wrongfully harmed due to medical negligence during your pregnancy, contact our skilled and compassionate lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez. Call 561-660-9421 for a free case evaluation.

We serve clients throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

Source:

health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/pregnancy-and-childbirth/increase-proportion-pregnant-women-who-receive-early-and-adequate-prenatal-care-mich-08