Birth Injuries Caused by Amniocentesis Errors
If you are pregnant, your doctor may suggest an amniocentesis for a few different reasons. Amniocentesis test results can give doctors important information about your developing baby. The test itself involves a needle being inserted into the uterus through the abdominal wall. The doctor then withdraws fluid from the amniotic sac surrounding the baby. This fluid can give information about infections, development, and genetic abnormalities.
Reasons for Testing
There are two main reasons for amniocentesis testing. The first is genetic testing, and usually this type of amniocentesis is performed after the 15th week of pregnancy. Amniocenteses done before week 15 have a higher risk of injury to the baby as it is harder for doctors to navigate around such a small fetus.
Secondly, amniocenteses are also sometimes performed around the 32nd week to determine if the baby’s lungs have developed sufficiently for an early labor. Amniocenteses are also occasionally performed for other reasons, such as to draw off excess fluid if necessary.
Possible Birth Injuries
Due to the delicateness of this procedure, medical errors during amniocenteses can cause serious birth injuries. These include:
- Orthopedic problems caused by an amniotic fluid leak
- Birth defects caused by the piercing of limbs
- Serious bleeding problems within the uterus, leading to a lack of oxygen for the fetus
- Various infections caused by improper technique or unsanitary conditions
- Early labor or miscarriage
Most of these birth injuries are rare, but they are still potential risks that mothers must consider before having an amniocentesis.
Contact Us
If your developing baby was harmed by a doctor’s error during an amniocentesis, it is only right that the responsible parties bear the financial burden for the injury they caused. Call the Chicago birth injury attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C., at 312-466-8200 to speak with an experienced lawyer about your case today.