Hospital sends pregnant mom home due to lack of beds, causing unborn child to die
The woman in her 40s became pregnant for the first time. She has a family history of deep vein thrombosis and because of the risk of additional complications, she was referred to consultant-led care.
Medical records show that everything progressed as expected for the first 28 weeks of her pregnancy but at 28 weeks, a scan showed elevated liver enzyme levels. The woman was never told about her elevated enzyme levels.
At 35 weeks, the woman contacted the hospital, reporting itching on her palms and feet and she was invited to come in for a blood test and assessment. These results showed a further increase in liver enzymes and that her bile acid was very elevated. The woman remembers being told that this could increase the risk of stillbirth and that she would therefore likely need to be induced.
A cardiotocography (CTG) was performed to measure the baby’s heart rate and medical staff documented everything as normal. The woman was then diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis, an uncommon liver problem which can happen during pregnancy and may cause the body to make more bile acids.
Records show that at 36–weeks, she underwent an ultrasound which was normal, but when blood test results came back the following day, they showed a further sharp rise in bile acids. AGAIN, the mother was not told what this increase meant, and she was advised that she was to return to hospital the next day to be urgently induced into labour.
When she arrived, she wad told there were no beds available and to come back the next day. When she arrived the following morning, the day of her scheduled induction, she was again told to go home and wait for an update on available beds.
The woman became worried about a drop in fetal movements and returned to to the hospital. Records show a midwife attempted a CTG but was unable to find the baby’s heartbeat.
An obstetric consultant then confirmed that her baby had died. She recalls the doctor apologized that she had not been admitted sooner because of a shortage of beds.
As a result of the hospital’s negligence, she was able to obtain a settlement for the loss of her unborn child.
“Every mother has the right to full and appropriate care at the time when it is needed. No mother-to-be should be sidelined with the risk to life of her unborn child.”
Tamara Holder Law, a Chicago based boutique law firm, focuses on women’s healthcare needs, including prenatal and birth injuries. Please contact us at 312-440-9000 or intake@tamaraholder.com