Baltimore Failure to Place a Cerclage Lawyer
Cervical cerclage is not just one procedure but rather, the term refers to a number of medical procedures. Whichever method is used, synthetic tape or sutures are used to strengthen the cervix of pregnant women who have a history of a short cervix. In medical terms, short cervixes are known as incompetent cervixes. Most commonly, a cervical cerclage is done vaginally, although sometimes they are also done through the abdomen.
Your doctor may recommend a cervical cerclage if your cervix begins to open too early during the pregnancy, or if your cervix is at risk of opening before the baby has developed enough to be born safely. When a doctor fails to place a cerclage, it may be a case of medical malpractice. However, cervical cerclage is not right for everyone. A Baltimore cerclage birth injury lawyer can advise on the merits of your case.
Who May Need a Cerclage?
Before a woman becomes pregnant, her cervix is closed, firm, and long. The cervix will gradually soften and decrease in length as the pregnancy continues and the cervix prepares to dilate for birth. A short cervix though, can start to open too soon before the baby can be born healthy. This can result in a premature birth or even the loss of the pregnancy. A healthcare professional may recommend a cerclage when a woman has:
- A history of pregnancy loss in the second trimester due to cervical dilation
- A prior cerclage due to second trimester dilation of the cervix
- A diagnosis of cervical dilation during the second trimester
- A cervical length of less than 25 millimeters prior to the 24th week of pregnancy in a single-birth pregnancy
Due to the fact that cervical cerclage is not appropriate for all women, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider about the possible risks, and if the procedure is right for you.
Proving Medical Negligence Based on Failure to Place a Cerclage
Failure to place a cervical cerclage when one would be appropriate for a pregnant woman can result in devastating loss. As such, it is not uncommon for people to file a medical malpractice claim to recover financial compensation for those losses. Like other types of personal injury cases, medical malpractice claims are based on negligence, which you must prove to recover the full damages you are entitled to.
Proving any medical malpractice case, including those that involve a failure to place a cerclage, usually relies on expert testimony. A medical professional in the same field as the negligent doctor can testify that the defendant did not act in the same manner as a reasonable healthcare professional would have otherwise.
Our Birth Injury Lawyers in Baltimore Can Prove Your Claim
If you have experienced loss due to a failure to place a cerclage, our Baltimore birth injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, can prove your case. Our attorneys have the necessary experience with complex medical malpractice claims and we want to put it to work for you. Call us today at 410.567.0800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
