Medical Malpractice Case Against Physician For Baby's Death Resulting In $3,000,000 Recovery
By: J. Hernandez
Submitted: 2010-10-24 23:19:52 | Word Count: 725
A monoamniotic-monochorionic twin pregnancy is a condition where two unborn babies are developing inside the same amniotic sac. This is an extraordinarily unusual high risk pregnancy, as it can lead the umbilical cords of the two unborn babies to become entangled. In case this takes place both babies could die or one of the twins could die and the other suffer a serious brain injury. In circumstances in which umbilical cord occlusion happens, time is critical for the doctor to identify the problem and perform an emergency C-section.
In a certain number of pregnancies with twins a situation can come up in which both twins grow within a single amniotic sac. This situation is referred to as a monoamniotic-monochorionic pregnancy. There is the likelihood that the umbilical cords will be intertwined endangering the health and even the live of the twins. In some cases where there is umbilical cord occlusion both twins die. In other cases one twin lives but sustains permanent brain damage. Physicians typically agree that these pregnancies ought to be carefully tracked. That way in the event that an umbilical cord complication develops a timely emergency C-section can save the twins.
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In the uncommon situation in which unborn twins share the same amniotic sac there is a significant possibility that their umbilical cords will become knotted. This cuts off the oxygen supply to the twins. Sometimes both babies die. In some other cases even though one baby survives that twin will suffer a significant brain injury. An emergency C-section immediately after an umbilical cord occlusion occurs is the one way to keep both babies alive and without a brain injury. This calls for diligent monitoring of the pregnant woman during the pregnancy for indications that the umbilical cords are entangled.
One sort of high risk pregnancy takes place when the woman has twins in a single amniotic sac, a condition identified as monoamniotic-monochorionic twins. This form of pregnancy is correlated with the risk of umbilical cord entanglement. If this happens the oxygen supply to the babies can become restricted. Oxygen is necessary for the babies to be health. Being subjected to an extended length of time under oxygen insufficiency may produce brain damage or even to the death of the babies. Considering that this is a known complication of a monoamniotic-monochorionic twin pregnancy the expectant mother's physician ought to thoroughly monitor the pregnancy for any signs of umbilical cord occlusion. Physicians typically acknowledge that in order to save the life and health of the twins the medically appropriate course of action is an emergency C-section the moment signs of this complication turn up.
Below we look at a published case in which the pregnant woman was diagnosed with this sort of pregnancy. Beginning in the twenty sixth week of the pregnancy her doctor 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 twins monitored every day, the doctor did not do this and sometime between two tests, one twin passed away and the other twin sustained severe brain damage.
The family filed a lawsuit claiming medical malpractice. Even though the parents had suffered a heartbreaking loss, the defense did not settle. The law firm that represented 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 to the family in the amount of $3.0 Million. The Appeals Court even cited a number of studies and articles which explained that to ensure the safety of both twins it is necessary to hospitalized the mother at approximately the 26th week of her pregnancy and to perform 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 get a free attorney consultation about stillbirth and other birth injury matters such as group b strep cases by visiting the websites
