Failing To Administer Antibiotics During Labor
For expecting families, nothing is more magical than the upcoming birth of a child. Among the many changes a mother's body undergoes, her immune system changes to protect both the mother and the developing baby from disease. In the process, some parts of the system are enhanced while others are suppressed. The result is that a pregnant woman can be more prone to bacterial infections. In fact, the severity and death rates of bacterial and viral infections are higher in pregnant women than in nonpregnant women. This is why careful monitoring for infection is necessary throughout pregnancy and especially during delivery.
Crandall & Pera Law, is completely knowledgeable about the kinds of problems that can arise during labor and birth, especially when an expectant mother is not given the right antibiotics at the right time. We have helped families in Ohio and Kentucky obtain fair compensation for infectious damage to both mothers and babies resulting from medical negligence.
One of past successes include a $4.6 million settlement for one family when the mother died as the result of an untreated case of Group B Strep. Read some of our other birth injury-related case results here.
Infections That Necessitate Antibiotics
Proper antibiotic administration can be a lifeline for a mother or baby suffering from one of several infections. Without proper medical care, a mother or baby could be injured or die from one of these infections:
- Chorioamnionitis. This bacterial infection occurring in the uterus can occur during prolonged labor, especially when the amniotic sac bursts at an early stage of labor. The infection can cause sepsis, organ damage and death of the newborn.
- Group B strep (GBS). A common cause of blood poisoning and meningitis in newborns, GBS can infect a baby during vaginal labor. Testing for GBS is regularly done during a woman's pregnancy, so if she tests positive, intravenous antibiotics are necessary during her labor.
- Villitis. A complication of untreated group B strep in which the surface of the placenta becomes inflamed. Without antibiotic treatment of the underlying strep infection, villitis will cause deterioration of the placenta and fetal death.
- Trichomoniasis. If this infection, which causes inflammation of the cervix, is left untreated, it can cause excessive bleeding, low birth weight and preterm labor.
Crandall & Pera Law conducts a thorough investigation into every client's claims of medical malpractice. Our team comprises all former medical malpractice defense attorneys; we are able to anticipate a defense and can build your case in a way that negates it.
When A Doctor's Failure To Administer Antibiotics Causes Harm
If you have concerns that a doctor's failure to meet the standard of care led to a birth injury, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. You can schedule an initial consultation by calling 855-444-6651 or sending us an email.