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Colostomy required after oophorectomy
A woman complaining of tenderness in the right upper quadrant went to her gynecologist, who attributed the pain to a left ovary cyst. Despite the lack of further testing, the physician said the cyst was cancerous and recommended immediate removal. The woman consented to a laparoscopic oophorectomy.
The inferior epigastric artery was severed by the third-year resident who performed most of the procedure. After surgery, the woman had abdominal pain leading to distension, guarding, and tympany. She was unable to have a bowel movement or void, and a fever developed, leading to peritonitis/sepsis.
After her physician diagnosed ileus, a surgical consult on the 5th postoperative day revealed an immediately obvious 2-cm hole in the sigmoid colon. Because of the delay, the hole could not be repaired safely, and a colostomy was performed. Many abdominal surgeries were needed to remove necrotic bowel, drain abscesses, and reconstruct the abdominal wall.
In suing, the plaintiff alleged negligence in the failure to immediately detect the perforation during the initial procedure. She also claimed the oophorectomy was unnecessary and argued that the ovarian cyst would have resolved spontaneously over time.
The defendant argued that the woman had a “delayed rupture” of the colon.
- The case settled for $1 million at mediation.
A woman complaining of tenderness in the right upper quadrant went to her gynecologist, who attributed the pain to a left ovary cyst. Despite the lack of further testing, the physician said the cyst was cancerous and recommended immediate removal. The woman consented to a laparoscopic oophorectomy.
The inferior epigastric artery was severed by the third-year resident who performed most of the procedure. After surgery, the woman had abdominal pain leading to distension, guarding, and tympany. She was unable to have a bowel movement or void, and a fever developed, leading to peritonitis/sepsis.
After her physician diagnosed ileus, a surgical consult on the 5th postoperative day revealed an immediately obvious 2-cm hole in the sigmoid colon. Because of the delay, the hole could not be repaired safely, and a colostomy was performed. Many abdominal surgeries were needed to remove necrotic bowel, drain abscesses, and reconstruct the abdominal wall.
In suing, the plaintiff alleged negligence in the failure to immediately detect the perforation during the initial procedure. She also claimed the oophorectomy was unnecessary and argued that the ovarian cyst would have resolved spontaneously over time.
The defendant argued that the woman had a “delayed rupture” of the colon.
- The case settled for $1 million at mediation.
A woman complaining of tenderness in the right upper quadrant went to her gynecologist, who attributed the pain to a left ovary cyst. Despite the lack of further testing, the physician said the cyst was cancerous and recommended immediate removal. The woman consented to a laparoscopic oophorectomy.
The inferior epigastric artery was severed by the third-year resident who performed most of the procedure. After surgery, the woman had abdominal pain leading to distension, guarding, and tympany. She was unable to have a bowel movement or void, and a fever developed, leading to peritonitis/sepsis.
After her physician diagnosed ileus, a surgical consult on the 5th postoperative day revealed an immediately obvious 2-cm hole in the sigmoid colon. Because of the delay, the hole could not be repaired safely, and a colostomy was performed. Many abdominal surgeries were needed to remove necrotic bowel, drain abscesses, and reconstruct the abdominal wall.
In suing, the plaintiff alleged negligence in the failure to immediately detect the perforation during the initial procedure. She also claimed the oophorectomy was unnecessary and argued that the ovarian cyst would have resolved spontaneously over time.
The defendant argued that the woman had a “delayed rupture” of the colon.
- The case settled for $1 million at mediation.
Woman delivers twins: one white, one black
A 37-year-old white woman was implanted with what she thought were her own fertilized embryos. Her husband, who contributed the sperm, was also white. She gave birth to 2 healthy baby boys: 1 white and 1 black.
Further investigation revealed that the plaintiff had inadvertently received an embryo from a black woman who was present at the clinic at the same time for fertilization with her own embryos.
The black infant was returned to his parents 5 months after delivery, but a custody suit ensued. The embryologist admitted he had inserted some embryos from the black woman into the catheter that was used to implant the white woman.
- A confidential settlement was reached.
A 37-year-old white woman was implanted with what she thought were her own fertilized embryos. Her husband, who contributed the sperm, was also white. She gave birth to 2 healthy baby boys: 1 white and 1 black.
Further investigation revealed that the plaintiff had inadvertently received an embryo from a black woman who was present at the clinic at the same time for fertilization with her own embryos.
The black infant was returned to his parents 5 months after delivery, but a custody suit ensued. The embryologist admitted he had inserted some embryos from the black woman into the catheter that was used to implant the white woman.
- A confidential settlement was reached.
A 37-year-old white woman was implanted with what she thought were her own fertilized embryos. Her husband, who contributed the sperm, was also white. She gave birth to 2 healthy baby boys: 1 white and 1 black.
Further investigation revealed that the plaintiff had inadvertently received an embryo from a black woman who was present at the clinic at the same time for fertilization with her own embryos.
The black infant was returned to his parents 5 months after delivery, but a custody suit ensued. The embryologist admitted he had inserted some embryos from the black woman into the catheter that was used to implant the white woman.
- A confidential settlement was reached.
Preterm labor: Missed or not present?
Due to complaints of “kicking” and shooting back pain, a 44-year-old woman at 25 weeks’ gestation was ordered to the hospital by her obstetrician, for evaluation for preterm labor. A nurse conducted the exam from the physician’s telephone instructions.
Both palpation and examination via external monitoring revealed no signs of contractions, and the nurse observed that the woman’s cervix was closed. When the patient noted continued pain, the physician ordered 3 doses of terbutaline. The woman later reported her symptoms had resolved, and was released 3 hours later with instructions to call if she felt pain or kicking more than 4 times per hour.
The woman was previously scheduled for a prenatal visit 9 hours later. Upon presenting for that appointment, she reported 3 to 4 brief contractions in the intervening hours. Examination revealed cervical dilation of 2 to 3 cm with a bulging bag. She was transferred to the hospital, but did not experience any contractions during transport. Upon arrival at the hospital, her cervix was to 3 to 4 cm dilated. The child was delivered via cesarean section 2 hours later.
The child suffered cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia and required a tracheostomy tube. He is currently confined to a wheelchair.
The plaintiff sued the hospital, the medical group, and the obstetrician, claiming negligence for failing to properly treat preterm labor.
The defendants maintained that the woman was not experiencing preterm labor at her initial visit. Instead, they argued that an incompetent cervix aggravated by chorioamnionitis led to the preterm labor, and claimed that the outcome could not have been prevented.
- The hospital settled for $600,000 prior to trial. The jury returned a defense verdict for the obstetrician and the medical group.
Due to complaints of “kicking” and shooting back pain, a 44-year-old woman at 25 weeks’ gestation was ordered to the hospital by her obstetrician, for evaluation for preterm labor. A nurse conducted the exam from the physician’s telephone instructions.
Both palpation and examination via external monitoring revealed no signs of contractions, and the nurse observed that the woman’s cervix was closed. When the patient noted continued pain, the physician ordered 3 doses of terbutaline. The woman later reported her symptoms had resolved, and was released 3 hours later with instructions to call if she felt pain or kicking more than 4 times per hour.
The woman was previously scheduled for a prenatal visit 9 hours later. Upon presenting for that appointment, she reported 3 to 4 brief contractions in the intervening hours. Examination revealed cervical dilation of 2 to 3 cm with a bulging bag. She was transferred to the hospital, but did not experience any contractions during transport. Upon arrival at the hospital, her cervix was to 3 to 4 cm dilated. The child was delivered via cesarean section 2 hours later.
The child suffered cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia and required a tracheostomy tube. He is currently confined to a wheelchair.
The plaintiff sued the hospital, the medical group, and the obstetrician, claiming negligence for failing to properly treat preterm labor.
The defendants maintained that the woman was not experiencing preterm labor at her initial visit. Instead, they argued that an incompetent cervix aggravated by chorioamnionitis led to the preterm labor, and claimed that the outcome could not have been prevented.
- The hospital settled for $600,000 prior to trial. The jury returned a defense verdict for the obstetrician and the medical group.
Due to complaints of “kicking” and shooting back pain, a 44-year-old woman at 25 weeks’ gestation was ordered to the hospital by her obstetrician, for evaluation for preterm labor. A nurse conducted the exam from the physician’s telephone instructions.
Both palpation and examination via external monitoring revealed no signs of contractions, and the nurse observed that the woman’s cervix was closed. When the patient noted continued pain, the physician ordered 3 doses of terbutaline. The woman later reported her symptoms had resolved, and was released 3 hours later with instructions to call if she felt pain or kicking more than 4 times per hour.
The woman was previously scheduled for a prenatal visit 9 hours later. Upon presenting for that appointment, she reported 3 to 4 brief contractions in the intervening hours. Examination revealed cervical dilation of 2 to 3 cm with a bulging bag. She was transferred to the hospital, but did not experience any contractions during transport. Upon arrival at the hospital, her cervix was to 3 to 4 cm dilated. The child was delivered via cesarean section 2 hours later.
The child suffered cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia and required a tracheostomy tube. He is currently confined to a wheelchair.
The plaintiff sued the hospital, the medical group, and the obstetrician, claiming negligence for failing to properly treat preterm labor.
The defendants maintained that the woman was not experiencing preterm labor at her initial visit. Instead, they argued that an incompetent cervix aggravated by chorioamnionitis led to the preterm labor, and claimed that the outcome could not have been prevented.
- The hospital settled for $600,000 prior to trial. The jury returned a defense verdict for the obstetrician and the medical group.
Was earlier cesarean indicated?
Ultrasound examination of a woman at 16.4 weeks’ gestation revealed anterior marginal placenta previa. Three months later, follow-up study showed the condition had resolved, with the placenta in an anterior position.
At 33 weeks, the woman suffered a fall, but did not sustain abdominal trauma. At 35 weeks, she was involved in a motor vehicle accident, but maintained normal fetal movement. At 38 weeks she was treated for suspected urinary tract infection after reporting decreased fetal movement. At 40 weeks, following a normal reactive stress test and observation of a normal, active, vertex fetus, the physician scheduled an induction for 8 days later.
The next day, the plaintiff reported contractions every 5 minutes and decreased fetal movement. At the hospital, no cervical dilation was observed. The fetal heart rate was 140 with accelerations to 150 to 160 and average long-term variability.
She was discharged home, but returned in labor the following day, with a cervical dilation of 6 cm and bulging membranes. The fetal heart rate on arrival was in the 150s; 15 minutes later, decelerations to 90 were noted, with poor beat-to-beat variability. Vaginal examination 10 minutes later revealed meconium with spontaneous rupture of membranes.
An hour later, the fetal heart rate fell to 100, with decelerations to 50 to 60. The child was delivered by emergency cesarean section 17 minutes later. Apgar scores were 0, 0, and 3, and cord pH was 6.86. The child was transferred to another facility and suffered seizures within 12 hours of birth. It was determined that the child suffered perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
The plaintiff sued, arguing that cesarean should have been performed earlier.
The defendants denied negligence, noting normal tests the day prior to birth, and maintaining that the fetal heart rate during labor was not diagnostic of fetal distress.
- The case settled for $400,000 at mediation.
Ultrasound examination of a woman at 16.4 weeks’ gestation revealed anterior marginal placenta previa. Three months later, follow-up study showed the condition had resolved, with the placenta in an anterior position.
At 33 weeks, the woman suffered a fall, but did not sustain abdominal trauma. At 35 weeks, she was involved in a motor vehicle accident, but maintained normal fetal movement. At 38 weeks she was treated for suspected urinary tract infection after reporting decreased fetal movement. At 40 weeks, following a normal reactive stress test and observation of a normal, active, vertex fetus, the physician scheduled an induction for 8 days later.
The next day, the plaintiff reported contractions every 5 minutes and decreased fetal movement. At the hospital, no cervical dilation was observed. The fetal heart rate was 140 with accelerations to 150 to 160 and average long-term variability.
She was discharged home, but returned in labor the following day, with a cervical dilation of 6 cm and bulging membranes. The fetal heart rate on arrival was in the 150s; 15 minutes later, decelerations to 90 were noted, with poor beat-to-beat variability. Vaginal examination 10 minutes later revealed meconium with spontaneous rupture of membranes.
An hour later, the fetal heart rate fell to 100, with decelerations to 50 to 60. The child was delivered by emergency cesarean section 17 minutes later. Apgar scores were 0, 0, and 3, and cord pH was 6.86. The child was transferred to another facility and suffered seizures within 12 hours of birth. It was determined that the child suffered perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
The plaintiff sued, arguing that cesarean should have been performed earlier.
The defendants denied negligence, noting normal tests the day prior to birth, and maintaining that the fetal heart rate during labor was not diagnostic of fetal distress.
- The case settled for $400,000 at mediation.
Ultrasound examination of a woman at 16.4 weeks’ gestation revealed anterior marginal placenta previa. Three months later, follow-up study showed the condition had resolved, with the placenta in an anterior position.
At 33 weeks, the woman suffered a fall, but did not sustain abdominal trauma. At 35 weeks, she was involved in a motor vehicle accident, but maintained normal fetal movement. At 38 weeks she was treated for suspected urinary tract infection after reporting decreased fetal movement. At 40 weeks, following a normal reactive stress test and observation of a normal, active, vertex fetus, the physician scheduled an induction for 8 days later.
The next day, the plaintiff reported contractions every 5 minutes and decreased fetal movement. At the hospital, no cervical dilation was observed. The fetal heart rate was 140 with accelerations to 150 to 160 and average long-term variability.
She was discharged home, but returned in labor the following day, with a cervical dilation of 6 cm and bulging membranes. The fetal heart rate on arrival was in the 150s; 15 minutes later, decelerations to 90 were noted, with poor beat-to-beat variability. Vaginal examination 10 minutes later revealed meconium with spontaneous rupture of membranes.
An hour later, the fetal heart rate fell to 100, with decelerations to 50 to 60. The child was delivered by emergency cesarean section 17 minutes later. Apgar scores were 0, 0, and 3, and cord pH was 6.86. The child was transferred to another facility and suffered seizures within 12 hours of birth. It was determined that the child suffered perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
The plaintiff sued, arguing that cesarean should have been performed earlier.
The defendants denied negligence, noting normal tests the day prior to birth, and maintaining that the fetal heart rate during labor was not diagnostic of fetal distress.
- The case settled for $400,000 at mediation.
Did fetal injury occur before hospital arrival?
Soon after a woman at full term presented to a hospital, fetal compromise was noted on heart-rate tracings, but no intervention was taken. At birth the child suffered severe acute asphyxia, leading to brain damage, kidney failure, and hypertension.
In suing, the plaintiff claimed that the Ob/Gyn was negligent for not responding to the fetal distress in a timely manner.
The defense argued that the child’s injury occurred before the mother presented to the hospital, and maintained that delivery staff acted expeditiously once further deterioration was noted on fetal monitoring.
- The parties settled for $1.3 million.
Soon after a woman at full term presented to a hospital, fetal compromise was noted on heart-rate tracings, but no intervention was taken. At birth the child suffered severe acute asphyxia, leading to brain damage, kidney failure, and hypertension.
In suing, the plaintiff claimed that the Ob/Gyn was negligent for not responding to the fetal distress in a timely manner.
The defense argued that the child’s injury occurred before the mother presented to the hospital, and maintained that delivery staff acted expeditiously once further deterioration was noted on fetal monitoring.
- The parties settled for $1.3 million.
Soon after a woman at full term presented to a hospital, fetal compromise was noted on heart-rate tracings, but no intervention was taken. At birth the child suffered severe acute asphyxia, leading to brain damage, kidney failure, and hypertension.
In suing, the plaintiff claimed that the Ob/Gyn was negligent for not responding to the fetal distress in a timely manner.
The defense argued that the child’s injury occurred before the mother presented to the hospital, and maintained that delivery staff acted expeditiously once further deterioration was noted on fetal monitoring.
- The parties settled for $1.3 million.
Fecal incontinence due to prolonged delivery?
When delivery had not occurred after 3 hours of stage 2 labor, a 30-year-old woman under the care of a certified nurse midwife was transferred from a childbirth facility to a hospital. The obstetrician opted to proceed with vaginal delivery, and ordered an epidural and oxytocin.
After 6 hours of second-stage labor, the physician instructed a second-year resident to apply fundal pressure. Half an hour later, following a midline episiotomy, the midwife delivered an 8-lb, 14-oz child. A 4th-degree perineal tear was identified and repaired by the resident physician.
Several weeks after the delivery, the woman noted symptoms of fecal incontinence. Despite conservative management and 3 surgical interventions, the woman’s condition persists.
In suing, the patient claimed that the obstetrician should have ordered a cesarean delivery immediately upon her presentation at the hospital. She claimed that vaginal delivery was inappropriate after a 6.5-hour second stage of labor, and alleged that oxytocin and fundal pressure were contraindicated. Finally, she claimed the episiotomy was improperly performed.
The defense denied negligence, noting that the woman’s injury is a known risk of a properly performed episiotomy and repair. Further, they noted that use of fundal pressure and oxytocin led to the delivery of a healthy infant.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
When delivery had not occurred after 3 hours of stage 2 labor, a 30-year-old woman under the care of a certified nurse midwife was transferred from a childbirth facility to a hospital. The obstetrician opted to proceed with vaginal delivery, and ordered an epidural and oxytocin.
After 6 hours of second-stage labor, the physician instructed a second-year resident to apply fundal pressure. Half an hour later, following a midline episiotomy, the midwife delivered an 8-lb, 14-oz child. A 4th-degree perineal tear was identified and repaired by the resident physician.
Several weeks after the delivery, the woman noted symptoms of fecal incontinence. Despite conservative management and 3 surgical interventions, the woman’s condition persists.
In suing, the patient claimed that the obstetrician should have ordered a cesarean delivery immediately upon her presentation at the hospital. She claimed that vaginal delivery was inappropriate after a 6.5-hour second stage of labor, and alleged that oxytocin and fundal pressure were contraindicated. Finally, she claimed the episiotomy was improperly performed.
The defense denied negligence, noting that the woman’s injury is a known risk of a properly performed episiotomy and repair. Further, they noted that use of fundal pressure and oxytocin led to the delivery of a healthy infant.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
When delivery had not occurred after 3 hours of stage 2 labor, a 30-year-old woman under the care of a certified nurse midwife was transferred from a childbirth facility to a hospital. The obstetrician opted to proceed with vaginal delivery, and ordered an epidural and oxytocin.
After 6 hours of second-stage labor, the physician instructed a second-year resident to apply fundal pressure. Half an hour later, following a midline episiotomy, the midwife delivered an 8-lb, 14-oz child. A 4th-degree perineal tear was identified and repaired by the resident physician.
Several weeks after the delivery, the woman noted symptoms of fecal incontinence. Despite conservative management and 3 surgical interventions, the woman’s condition persists.
In suing, the patient claimed that the obstetrician should have ordered a cesarean delivery immediately upon her presentation at the hospital. She claimed that vaginal delivery was inappropriate after a 6.5-hour second stage of labor, and alleged that oxytocin and fundal pressure were contraindicated. Finally, she claimed the episiotomy was improperly performed.
The defense denied negligence, noting that the woman’s injury is a known risk of a properly performed episiotomy and repair. Further, they noted that use of fundal pressure and oxytocin led to the delivery of a healthy infant.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
Delayed cesarean for second twin?
Following the vaginal birth of the first child in a set of twins, the second child began to experience prolonged deep decelerations. His heart rate remained at 60 to 80 beats per minutes for 17 minutes before a cesarean delivery was ordered. The infant suffered acute hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
In suing, the plaintiff argued the defendants were negligent in not initiating cesarean delivery sooner.
- The parties settled for $800,000.
Following the vaginal birth of the first child in a set of twins, the second child began to experience prolonged deep decelerations. His heart rate remained at 60 to 80 beats per minutes for 17 minutes before a cesarean delivery was ordered. The infant suffered acute hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
In suing, the plaintiff argued the defendants were negligent in not initiating cesarean delivery sooner.
- The parties settled for $800,000.
Following the vaginal birth of the first child in a set of twins, the second child began to experience prolonged deep decelerations. His heart rate remained at 60 to 80 beats per minutes for 17 minutes before a cesarean delivery was ordered. The infant suffered acute hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
In suing, the plaintiff argued the defendants were negligent in not initiating cesarean delivery sooner.
- The parties settled for $800,000.
PROM or protein C: Which caused injury?
A woman at 40 weeks’ gestation presented to an Ob/Gyn due to a suspected amniotic leak. After examining the patient, the physician determined no amniotic fluid was present and sent the woman home.
The following day the woman once again presented with a suspected amniotic leak. Upon examination, a second Ob/Gyn observed green mucus, prompting the doctor to admit her to the hospital, where fetal heart monitoring and oxytocin administration were initiated.
Twelve hours after oxytocin was started, the woman was just 4 cm dilated and febrile. When, 3 hours later, fetal monitoring indicated signs of distress, the first Ob/Gyn was called. He soon left, however, to attend to another scheduled delivery.
Six hours later, when the woman’s temperature climbed to 101.1° and fetal monitoring indicated a heart rate of 160 to 170 beats per minute, a cesarean delivery was ordered. However, another 90 minutes passed before the procedure was initiated. At that time, fetal monitoring showed an almost flat heart rate with no variability.
The child was born with brain damage and cerebral palsy due to chorioamnionitis.
The plaintiffs sued, claiming the 2 obstetricians were negligent for failing to diagnose a ruptured membrane, administer prophylactic antibiotics to prevent chorioamnionitis, properly follow the patient, and order a timely cesarean section.
The defendants denied negligence, arguing that the child’s injury stemmed from a protein C deficiency.
- The jury awarded the plaintiffs $4.6 million.
A woman at 40 weeks’ gestation presented to an Ob/Gyn due to a suspected amniotic leak. After examining the patient, the physician determined no amniotic fluid was present and sent the woman home.
The following day the woman once again presented with a suspected amniotic leak. Upon examination, a second Ob/Gyn observed green mucus, prompting the doctor to admit her to the hospital, where fetal heart monitoring and oxytocin administration were initiated.
Twelve hours after oxytocin was started, the woman was just 4 cm dilated and febrile. When, 3 hours later, fetal monitoring indicated signs of distress, the first Ob/Gyn was called. He soon left, however, to attend to another scheduled delivery.
Six hours later, when the woman’s temperature climbed to 101.1° and fetal monitoring indicated a heart rate of 160 to 170 beats per minute, a cesarean delivery was ordered. However, another 90 minutes passed before the procedure was initiated. At that time, fetal monitoring showed an almost flat heart rate with no variability.
The child was born with brain damage and cerebral palsy due to chorioamnionitis.
The plaintiffs sued, claiming the 2 obstetricians were negligent for failing to diagnose a ruptured membrane, administer prophylactic antibiotics to prevent chorioamnionitis, properly follow the patient, and order a timely cesarean section.
The defendants denied negligence, arguing that the child’s injury stemmed from a protein C deficiency.
- The jury awarded the plaintiffs $4.6 million.
A woman at 40 weeks’ gestation presented to an Ob/Gyn due to a suspected amniotic leak. After examining the patient, the physician determined no amniotic fluid was present and sent the woman home.
The following day the woman once again presented with a suspected amniotic leak. Upon examination, a second Ob/Gyn observed green mucus, prompting the doctor to admit her to the hospital, where fetal heart monitoring and oxytocin administration were initiated.
Twelve hours after oxytocin was started, the woman was just 4 cm dilated and febrile. When, 3 hours later, fetal monitoring indicated signs of distress, the first Ob/Gyn was called. He soon left, however, to attend to another scheduled delivery.
Six hours later, when the woman’s temperature climbed to 101.1° and fetal monitoring indicated a heart rate of 160 to 170 beats per minute, a cesarean delivery was ordered. However, another 90 minutes passed before the procedure was initiated. At that time, fetal monitoring showed an almost flat heart rate with no variability.
The child was born with brain damage and cerebral palsy due to chorioamnionitis.
The plaintiffs sued, claiming the 2 obstetricians were negligent for failing to diagnose a ruptured membrane, administer prophylactic antibiotics to prevent chorioamnionitis, properly follow the patient, and order a timely cesarean section.
The defendants denied negligence, arguing that the child’s injury stemmed from a protein C deficiency.
- The jury awarded the plaintiffs $4.6 million.
Fetal death follows decreased movements
Noting decreased fetal movement, a woman at 35 weeks’ gestation called her Ob/Gyn, who instructed her to report to the hospital. After performing an examination and nonreactive stress test, the physician discharged the woman, telling her to call if she did not feel 6 strong fetal movements upon returning home.
The woman called that evening, reporting just 2 light fetal movements. The doctor advised her to remain home.
The patient called the next morning to report pain near her pubic bone, at which time a different physician told her to call back if the pain worsened. When her pain intensified, she opted to report directly to the hospital, where she was admitted to labor and delivery.
An ultrasound examination 30 minutes later revealed intrauterine fetal death. Upon delivery, a nuchal cord was discovered.
In suing, the woman claimed that, on the day of her first call, her Ob/Gyn should have admitted her to the hospital due to a questionable nonstress test. At that time, she argued, a biophysical profile and other tests of fetal well-being should have been performed.
- The parties settled for $1.5 million.
Noting decreased fetal movement, a woman at 35 weeks’ gestation called her Ob/Gyn, who instructed her to report to the hospital. After performing an examination and nonreactive stress test, the physician discharged the woman, telling her to call if she did not feel 6 strong fetal movements upon returning home.
The woman called that evening, reporting just 2 light fetal movements. The doctor advised her to remain home.
The patient called the next morning to report pain near her pubic bone, at which time a different physician told her to call back if the pain worsened. When her pain intensified, she opted to report directly to the hospital, where she was admitted to labor and delivery.
An ultrasound examination 30 minutes later revealed intrauterine fetal death. Upon delivery, a nuchal cord was discovered.
In suing, the woman claimed that, on the day of her first call, her Ob/Gyn should have admitted her to the hospital due to a questionable nonstress test. At that time, she argued, a biophysical profile and other tests of fetal well-being should have been performed.
- The parties settled for $1.5 million.
Noting decreased fetal movement, a woman at 35 weeks’ gestation called her Ob/Gyn, who instructed her to report to the hospital. After performing an examination and nonreactive stress test, the physician discharged the woman, telling her to call if she did not feel 6 strong fetal movements upon returning home.
The woman called that evening, reporting just 2 light fetal movements. The doctor advised her to remain home.
The patient called the next morning to report pain near her pubic bone, at which time a different physician told her to call back if the pain worsened. When her pain intensified, she opted to report directly to the hospital, where she was admitted to labor and delivery.
An ultrasound examination 30 minutes later revealed intrauterine fetal death. Upon delivery, a nuchal cord was discovered.
In suing, the woman claimed that, on the day of her first call, her Ob/Gyn should have admitted her to the hospital due to a questionable nonstress test. At that time, she argued, a biophysical profile and other tests of fetal well-being should have been performed.
- The parties settled for $1.5 million.
Woman implanted with wrong embryo
<court>San Francisco County (Calif) Superior Court</court>
After 2 years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, a woman in her late forties gave birth to a healthy baby boy as a result of in vitro fertilization.
Following the child’s birth, the patient learned that she had inadvertently received an embryo intended for another couple: The wife in that couple, scheduled for implantation the same day as the plaintiff, was to be fertilized with an embryo consisting of her husband’s sperm and a donor egg. The plaintiff received this embryo.
The defendants did not deny negligence, but maintained that once the error was discovered, they acted in the plaintiff’s best interests.
- The plaintiff settled for $1 million with the physician and his practice. The case against the scientist who incubated the embryo and his employer was still pending.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn (www.verdictslaska.com). While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>San Francisco County (Calif) Superior Court</court>
After 2 years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, a woman in her late forties gave birth to a healthy baby boy as a result of in vitro fertilization.
Following the child’s birth, the patient learned that she had inadvertently received an embryo intended for another couple: The wife in that couple, scheduled for implantation the same day as the plaintiff, was to be fertilized with an embryo consisting of her husband’s sperm and a donor egg. The plaintiff received this embryo.
The defendants did not deny negligence, but maintained that once the error was discovered, they acted in the plaintiff’s best interests.
- The plaintiff settled for $1 million with the physician and his practice. The case against the scientist who incubated the embryo and his employer was still pending.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn (www.verdictslaska.com). While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>San Francisco County (Calif) Superior Court</court>
After 2 years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, a woman in her late forties gave birth to a healthy baby boy as a result of in vitro fertilization.
Following the child’s birth, the patient learned that she had inadvertently received an embryo intended for another couple: The wife in that couple, scheduled for implantation the same day as the plaintiff, was to be fertilized with an embryo consisting of her husband’s sperm and a donor egg. The plaintiff received this embryo.
The defendants did not deny negligence, but maintained that once the error was discovered, they acted in the plaintiff’s best interests.
- The plaintiff settled for $1 million with the physician and his practice. The case against the scientist who incubated the embryo and his employer was still pending.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn (www.verdictslaska.com). While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.