Can I Make A Malpractice Claim After My Baby’s Traumatic Birth?

Having a baby should be a wonderful experience, but childbirth can be a complicated undertaking. The responsibility of doctors and hospital staff is to make sure that all medical possibilities are accounted for.

Unfortunately, not all deliveries go smoothly. Complications and unexpected problems can heighten the risk of injury to both the mother and the baby. Many complications can be avoided by competent providers who have assessed all the conditions and possible outcomes.

Birth Trauma and Mental Health

Many mothers who suffered a stressful and complicated delivery might not easily move forward with their lives after the birth. Even if there was no permanent injury to the baby, there may have been a great deal of pain and stress that was experienced during the procedure, and that cannot be easily forgotten.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be suffered by women who experienced a traumatic childbirth. PTSD is a common response that develops over time, after an experience that generated intense fear, horror or helplessness. A victim can have flashbacks of the event, and he or she may avoid anything that reminds them of the event. This can lead to the development of phobias such as an unreasonable fear of hospitals.

Those who suffer from birth-related trauma can develop crippling anxiety and severe depression if they are not treated. Therefore, their quality of life and their ability to care for their baby can be significantly reduced.

Can I Make a Claim Against My Hospital or Doctor?

In the state of Connecticut, it may be possible to make a medical malpractice claim against a medical provider or entity. However, it must be proven that the experiences you had were avoidable and were caused by the negligence or incompetence of the hospital or doctor, or staff that helped to deliver your baby.

Your ability to make a claim will depend on the exact circumstances of your delivery. Your chances of making a successful claim will improve if you are able to show how the traumatic birth has negatively affected your life. You may want to write a diary to track your feelings, and it is always advisable to seek professional help if you are suffering from anxiety, depression or PTSD.

If you are suffering from PTSD or another mental health challenge as a result of a traumatic delivery, it is important to take action.