Misdiagnosis Or Delays During Childbirth

Misdiagnosis Or Delays During Childbirth

Any kind of misdiagnosis or delay in treatment can be critical for mothers, particularly in the run up to, during the birth, and in the hours and days following the delivery of a child.

An awareness of the mother’s general health is crucial for the midwives and obstetricians who are likely to be involved in child birth, but also for any doctors involved in the mother’s treatment. Failure to notice certain conditions or illnesses can have a potentially detrimental effect on the health of the mother and the child.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects women during the second half of pregnancy. While its exact cause is not known, it affects the placenta which is responsible for linking the baby’s blood supply to that of the mother. It affects around 6% of pregnancies and is more prevalent in women who are expecting multiple births (twins, triplets etc), those who have a family history of the condition, those over 40 years old, and those who have suffered from diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure before the pregnancy. Symptoms include severe headaches, vision problems, high blood pressure, swelling of the feet, face, ankles and hands and pain below the ribs. If you are diagnosed with pre-eclampsia you should be monitored closely during your time in hospital, and possibly kept there until the birth.

The only way to cure pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby, and this might have to be induced (brought on early) to reduce the risk to mother and baby. While most cases of pre-eclampsia cause no problems and improve soon after the baby is delivered, in some cases the mother can develop fits which are called ‘eclampsia’ and can be life-threatening for the mother and the baby.

One example is a couple from Northamptonshire who were left heartbroken after their daughter died in the womb as a result of pre-eclampsia. They have received undisclosed damages from their local NHS Trust after doctors failed to recognise the clear symptoms that she was displaying. She raised concerns to her GP about swollen ankles and legs, and three days later she was suffering from high blood pressure and protein within her urine – a clear indicator of pre-eclampsia – she was then told to take pain killers and have a bath. It was only when she took herself to a different hospital that the condition was diagnosed, but by then it was too late for the baby.

Pre-eclampsia is just one example of the dangers of misdiagnosis or delay in treatment. If you or someone you care for has suffered in any way as a result of negligence caused by delay or misdiagnosis, then it is likely you will be eligible to make a claim for compensation. Contact one of our friendly, knowledgeable solicitors today and let us see how we can help you get the compensation pay-out that you deserve.