Causes of Stillbirth
Stillbirth may occur as a result of a genetic abnormality or chromosomal defect, including:
- Placental abruption
- Pre-eclampsia
- Maternal infection
- Gestational diabetes and
- Placental insufficiency
If the baby is deprived of oxygen during the birthing process and/or if a prolapsed umbilical cord cuts off a child’s oxygen supply, stillbirth is also a likely result.
In many situations, the tragedy of stillbirth could have been prevented if:
- Proper prenatal care was provided
- Medical conditions were correctly diagnosed
- The baby was properly monitored or
- The labor and delivery process was conducted correctly
Treatment of mother and child during the late months of labor or an emergency delivery of the child could be life-saving for the baby and could prevent serious health complications for the mother.
Stillbirth and Medical Negligence
Unfortunately, in many instances where stillbirth could have been prevented but wasn’t, the child loses his or her life as a result of medical errors made by the doctor providing prenatal care or overseeing the delivery. Healthcare providers who care for pregnant mothers and babies have an enormous responsibility to carefully monitor the health of both the mother and child and to take prompt action if complications or problems occur.
Parents can hold doctors accountable not only for failure to act when complications develop late in the pregnancy but also in some cases for failure to diagnose genetic abnormalities or defects early in the pregnancy process while parents still have options for the fetus. A mother who has to go through the birthing process to produce a stillborn child experiences significant physical and emotional trauma and care providers should be held accountable if they cause this to occur when it could have been prevented.
To make a claim for medical negligence when a stillbirth occurs, the parents must show the caregiver was unreasonably negligent or failed to fulfill an obligation to provide professional quality care. Physicians are expected to offer competent and professional medical advice, which is judged based on their backgrounds and medical experience. Doctors who fall short can be responsible for all resulting losses.
Getting Help from a Child Injury Lawyer
A Charlotte child injury lawyer at Brown Moore & Associates, PLLC can provide assistance to those pursuing a case for compensation when a stillbirth occurs. Give us a call at 800-948-0577 or complete our online contact form to learn how we can help you.
