Jury Awards Family $3.0 Million When One Twin Passed Away And The Other Suffered Severe Brain Injury
By: J. Hernandez
Submitted: 2010-08-04 12:59:56 | Word Count: 731
A monoamniotic-monochorionic twin pregnancy is a condition in which two unborn babies share the same amniotic sac. This is an extraordinarily rare high risk pregnancy, as it can lead the umbilical cords of the two unborn babies to become entangled. In case this takes place the two babies might die or the death of one twin could cause the other twin to endure a considerable brain injury. In situations where umbilical cord occlusion takes place, time is of the essence for the doctor to identify the situation and perform an emergency C-section.
In a certain number of pregnancies with twins a situation may come up in which both twins grow inside a single amniotic sac. This situation is referred to as a monoamniotic-monochorionic pregnancy. There is the potential that the umbilical cords will be intertwined endangering the health and even the live of the twins. In some cases in which there is umbilical cord occlusion both twins die. In different scenarios one baby lives but sustains considerable brain damage. Doctors ordinarily recognize that these pregnancies should be thoroughly monitored. That way in case an umbilical cord problem happens an immediate emergency C-section may be necessary for the babies to survive.
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In the uncommon circumstance in which unborn twins share the same amniotic sac there is a considerable risk that their umbilical cords will become entangled. This restricts the oxygen supply to the twins. Sometimes both babies die. In some other cases even though one baby lives that twin will suffer a serious brain injury. An emergency C-section the moment an umbilical cord occlusion takes place is the only way to save both babies and prevent a brain injury. This demands careful monitoring of the mother during the pregnancy for clues that the umbilical cords have become knotted.
One form of dangerous pregnancy occurs if the woman is carrying twins but only one amniotic sac, a condition identified as monoamniotic-monochorionic twins. This class of pregnancy carries the known risk of umbilical cord entanglement. In case this occurs the oxygen supply to the twins can be cut off. Oxygen is necessary for the babies to be health. Exposure to a prolonged length of time under oxygen insufficiency may produce brain damage or possibly the death of the babies. Seeing as this is a known complication of a monoamniotic-monochorionic twin pregnancy the expectant mother's physician should thoroughly track the pregnancy for any indications of umbilical cord occlusion. Physicians generally recognize that to be able to protect the life and health of the twins the medically correct plan of action is an emergency C-section immediately after clues of this complication show up.
In this article we explore a documented lawsuit in which the expectant mother was diagnosed with this sort of pregnancy. Starting in the twenty sixth week of the pregnancy her physician ordered twice a week non-stress testing to monitor vital signs of her twins. Although it was common practice to hospitalize the woman and have the babies monitored every day, the physician failed to do this and at some point between 2 tests, one twin passed away and the other twin sustained significant brain damage.
The family filed a case alleging medical malpractice. Even though the mother and father had experienced a heartbreaking loss, the defense did not settle. The law firm that helped the family took the case to trial. After the law firm overcame a number of procedural hurdles and an appeal by the defense, the Appeals Court upheld the jury award against the doctor in the amount of $3,000,000. The Appeals Court even cited a number of studies and articles which stated that to ensure the safety of both twins it is required to admit the pregnant woman around the 26th week of her pregnancy and to conduct non-stress tests at a minimum frequency of once a day, if not two to three times daily, to follow the vital signs of the twins.
Author Resource:-
Joseph Hernandez is an Attorney accepting complex injury cases. You can learn more about stillbirth and other birth injury matters such as erbs palsy cases by visiting the websites
