Clinical and diagnostic error during pregnancy, labour or postnatal care can result in permanent and debilitating physical and psychological conditions for a mother, as well as their child. Other family members, including partners and siblings, can become secondary victims when they suffer devastating consequential mental harm.
When it comes to the physical and emotional trauma that can be experienced during the birthing process, all too often women suffer in silence. They feel isolated and too embarrassed to discuss the damage they have suffered and the life changing consequences.
Our staff was fortunate to have a recent opportunity to virtually attend the 2022 Annual Obstetric Malpractice Conference.
There were some insightful discussions about changing the culture in obstetrics to encourage a model of collaborative multi-disciplinary care and how this could prevent medicolegal consequences.
There were also some startling facts and figures. For example, birth was only added to the list of possible traumatic events associated with PTSD in 2014.
According to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, good maternity services aim for a safe and healthy pregnancy and birthing experience for mothers and babies. They also consider the woman’s needs and preferences.
On 19 July 2022 a collaborative report released by the Australasian Birth Trauma Association detailed the findings of a survey capturing responses from 801 women from Australia, the UK and New Zealand who self-identified as having experienced birth injuries (with or without ongoing effects), mostly between 2016-2022.
Nearly 1 in 5 women said they had to wait at least six months to a year for a diagnosis and of those who had received treatment, only 16% said treatment had been completely effective.
The dedicated medical negligence solicitors at our firm have successfully investigated and acted in many obstetric claims involving stillbirth, injury to mothers sustained during labour and delivery and catastrophic injury claims for newborns including for shoulder dystocia, hypoxic brain injury and cerebral palsy.
Our specialist team of medical negligence solicitors provide a sympathetic, understanding and caring approach whilst helping secure compensation for the loss and damage, financial and personal losses suffered.
Not all mistakes are the result of negligence. We offer a confidential, no-obligation discussion to discuss your medical treatment and evaluate your options.
If you would like to speak to one of our experienced solicitors about obstetric injury, please contact us on 02 4050 0330, or book an appointment online.
