Prenatal care is the type of medical assistance that a woman begins when she is pregnant. Expectant women usually begin prenatal care as soon as they learn that they are pregnant, and starting this process as early as possible tends to prevent health risks.
Prenatal care has an educational purpose and health management purpose. Medical professionals have the duty to advise pregnant women about medications they should avoid, as well as the importance of avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs for the duration of the pregnancy. They will also monitor other conditions and take precautions to manage them.
What can I do if I had a negative experience with prenatal care?
Being pregnant can be a scary and worrying time, especially if you are dealing with health conditions such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. This is why it is important that your medical provider is supportive and communicates well with you. If you had a negative experience with your prenatal health care provider and you believe that you suffered physical or mental injuries as a result of their influence, you should consider taking legal action.
What is an example of prenatal medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice during pregnancy often occurs as a result of the medical provider simply not listening to their patient’s concerns and symptoms. For example, if you are feeling unwell and suffering from the key symptoms of preeclampsia, it is likely that you will want to arrange an appointment with your medical provider to address this.
If your medical provider in Waterloo is dismissive of such an eventuality because you do not have all of the risk factors, this could be classed as negligence. A failure to screen for preeclampsia, or any other condition if symptoms are present, could lead to serious complications. If you do have preeclampsia but your diagnosis was delayed due to your medical provider’s hesitance, you can make a claim for damages based on the premise that their negligence caused your condition to worsen.
If you have suffered due to medical malpractice during your pregnancy, it could have had an impact on your mental health or your ability to bond with your baby. It is important that you take the appropriate legal action when you feel ready to do so.
Contact Ball, Kirk & Holm today to discuss your malpractice claim.