Claims for stillbirths or neonatal deaths
Stillbirths and neonatal deaths are extremely traumatic for parents and they often suffer psychological injury.
A stillbirth occurs when a fetus dies and is subsequently delivered following the 24th week of pregnancy.
There are around 3500 stillbirths in England and Wales each year (around five in every thousand births). There are numerous possible causes for stillbirth including physical defects in the fetus, maternal illness such as pre-eclampsia or obstetric cholestasis, rhesus incompatability, infection, ante partum haemorrhage or birth trauma. In 50% of stillbirths the cause is not discovered. If the fetus is found to have died in the womb, vaginal delivery of the fetus is still necessary. The mother is given a tablet to induce labour and delivery will usually take place within 48 hours.
Stillbirths can sometimes result from negligent medical treatment. In some situations signs of fetal distress should have been detected or acted upon more quickly and earlier delivery achieved, sometimes infections should have been diagnosed or treated
Neonatal deaths occur in around three babies for every 1000 born. Again, there are a wide variety of potential causes which can include congenital abnormalities, low birth weight/gestational age, asphyxia during delivery or infection.
For free, expert advice on making a medical negligence claim, click here or call us free on 0800 0382 382. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
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