Through nine months of pregnancy, a woman has to trust that her obstetrician will monitor her and her unborn child competently and safely. Prenatal care includes a wide range of treatment. One important task an obstetrician has, is monitoring her patient for infections. Infection is a very dangerous complication of pregnancy and birth and if they are not treated quickly they can cause severe problems for mothers and their unborn child. If a physician is not diligent in her prenatal care, he or she may fail to diagnose a serious bacterial or viral infection.
Here are a few types of bacterial infections that can occur during pregnancy:
- Group B Strep. This infection is easily treatable, but some doctors fail to test for it. Group B Strep usually does not cause serious problems, but in some cases, it is capable of leading to meningitis and other blood infections.
- Chorioamnionitis. This bacterial infection occurs in the amniotic sac. It can be caused by E. Coli or Group B Strep, and is extremely dangerous for mother and child.
- Bladder Infections. A bladder infection, if diagnosed early, is easily treatable. However, if this type of infection goes untreated, it can create a number of serious complications for mother and baby.
Many viral infections can also cause prenatal problems. These infections include:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Toxoplasmosis
- Herpes
- Rubella
- Syphilis
Physcians should always monitor expectant mothers diligently for signs of infection. If this standard of care is not met and prenatal infections go untreated, an obstetrician can be considered negligent. The delivery of a baby in conjunction with any of the bacterial or viral infections listed above can cause serious complications for mother and child.
If you or a loved one was the victim of medical malpractice by an obstetrician, you have to call me immediately at 1 (800) 556-4769. I will help you get the answers and compensation you deserve.
As your Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For more than 33 years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio.” You can reach Tim by email at tmisny@misnylaw.com or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.