Our case:*Mrs. H, a 36 year old woman became pregnant and completed all required prenatal care visits.
Despite assurances of a normal and healthy pregnancy, Dr. S decided Mrs. H should be admitted for induction as the baby might be “too large for gestational age.” On the evening of August 12, at approximately 10:16 p.m. Cervidil, a cervical stimulant, was administered to Mrs. H by a resident doctor. Cervidil was discontinued at 8:45 a.m. and Pitocin was started at 8:50 a.m., only 5 minutes later. Signs of hyper-stimulation went un-noticed by the nurses and doctors attending to Mrs. H. At 1:10 p.m. Mrs. H was taken to the OR for an emergency C-section delivery.
Blood was found in the peritoneum indicated that the uterus had ruptured causing massive internal bleeding which deprived Baby H of vital oxygen. Mrs. H survived but what was left of her uterus was removed. Baby H, at 8 lbs 4 0z was so brain damaged from the trauma that she remained ventilator dependent until her death 6 weeks later.
Why the Defendants were Negligent: The defendants deviated from acceptable standards of obstetric care in administering Cervidil and Pitocin within 5 minutes of one another. This caused hyperstimulation of the uterus and it’s rupture. Had the defendants noticed the signs of hyper stimulation, an earlier C-section may have resulted in the birth of a healthy baby girl.
The Verdict: The Lewis Law Firm was able to recover a large monetary award following settlement with the Defendants.
*names have been changed
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