Signs & Effects of Negligent Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is medical testing and monitoring of the mother’s pregnancy with the goal of spotting any concerns or needs the child or mother has early on. Most often, when a woman finds out they are pregnant, they will need to routinely see an obstetrician who can provide proper monitoring and testing at various times during the pregnancy to protect all involved.

There are some instances in which a woman does not receive the level or type of care expected. If that occurs, you should look for signs and effects of negligent prenatal care early on so that you can get help. However, if that does not happen and you or your child suffers consequences as a result, turn to the Portland birth injury attorneys at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC for hands-on support. 

How to Know If Prenatal Care Was Negligently Provided

There are some situations where it is obvious that a doctor did not provide routine care. Other times, it may not be so easy to spot the signs of negligent prenatal care, especially if this is your first time giving birth. Look for these signs:

• The doctor does not encourage you to come back on a set schedule, often one time a month, to ensure you are healthy
• A physician fails to provide testing and routine lab work to ensure you are continuing to meet the child’s needs
• There is no monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy
• The doctor does not diagnose or test for infections or other health complications that should be or are routinely monitored
• No gestational diabetes testing was done
• Treatment for gestational diabetes was not provided

In addition to this, the doctor must ensure that the child is healthy by performing the necessary ultrasounds. For example, the doctor may be able to determine if the umbilical cord is around the child’s neck and then offer strategies for rectifying this problem before it leads to injury to the child’s brain.

What Happens When Failures Occur?

The consequences of negligent prenatal care can impact both mother and child. Some examples of what could occur include:

• A child is born with a birth defect that was not known, and the hospital is unable to care for the child’s unique needs at the time of birth
• The child’s and mother’s blood was not tested for Rh incompatibility, and that caused jaundice and heart failure in the child or mother after birth
• A mother demonstrates that she is a high-risk pregnancy due to factors such as diabetes or health complications, but the doctor fails to take any action to monitor for those risks

The effects of negligent prenatal care can be complicated. However, with the help of an attorney who specializes in this area, it may be possible to link the health complications and medical needs of the child and mother to a lack of care during the pregnancy. If you feel you are at risk in this situation, it is critical to get the help and support you need to take legal action.

If you have concerns regarding negligent prenatal care, contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC at 503-862-8712 for a free consultation. We are here to help you.