In Massachusetts and elsewhere, more mothers are speaking out about the lack of control in the birth of their children and choices granted by obstetricians. Not everyone can be offered choices based on their medical conditions, but many mothers claim that choices are often not offered in order for quicker births to fit in an obstetrician’s schedule. For some, the lack of control can result in serious birth trauma for the mother and/or the newborn. A woman in another state has sued a hospital, claiming she was forced to endure surgery without anesthesia during the birth of her child.
The 26-year-old recounts her horrific birth experience as beginning during what she assumed would be a normal vaginal birth. She was admitted and began an intravenous drip with Pitocin to induce her labor. Along with the Pitocin, she was given an epidural to lessen the labor pains. Unfortunately, complications occurred; the mother’s blood pressure lowered to unsafe levels, and physicians had a difficult time monitoring the baby’s heart rate.
The woman’s obstetrician decided a cesarean section was necessary for the health of both the mother and the baby, but the patient and her finance claim that the anesthesiologist did not respond to calls about the procedure. The patient claims she was not given anesthesia, and she passed out from the pain of the baby’s surgical removal. The patient has filed a lawsuit seeking damages of $5 million for the emotional distress she suffered following the birth. The hospital has disputed the claims, stating that the patient was given anesthesia as needed for surgery. Fortunately, the woman had a healthy baby girl despite the ordeal.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for mothers to experience birth trauma. It is unfortunate, considering it is a monumental occasion in a woman’s life and can result in serious emotional distress. Some Massachusetts mothers who have suffered similar trauma may wish to discuss their options with a medical malpractice attorney about their options for legal recourse.
