What to Do About Medication Errors During Giving Birth

 Posted on December 22, 2023 in Birth Injury

Bringing a new life into the world should be a joyful experience. But unfortunately, medical mistakes like medication errors too often can make the birthing process traumatizing when something goes wrong. Learning how these errors happen and options for holding hospitals accountable provides critical knowledge for families. You should not have to remain in silence; you would be helping yourself and future moms. An Illinois birth injury lawyer can help determine if you have a potential case and how to begin the process.

How Medication Errors Cause Harm

Mix-ups surrounding labor-inducing drugs or incorrect administration of epidurals and anesthesia bring unnecessary risks. Resulting uncontrolled contractions could rupture the uterus or deprive babies of oxygen. Meanwhile, using contraindicated injections on mothers with underlying conditions may yield life-threatening reactions. Poor medication handling threatens both mom and baby.

Reacting to Adverse Effects Quickly

If you or your baby showed worrying symptoms like breathing changes, dangerous spikes or drops in blood pressure or heartbeat, uncontrollable bleeding, or seizures shortly after being medicated for the birthing process, this could be a clear indicator that you were experiencing an adverse effect. State clearly the timing of new symptoms in relation to administered drugs. Recognizing correlations right away better protects health.

Reporting Errors to Medical Leadership

Formally informing the hospital’s risk management team about any probable medication mistake not only documents the incident should downstream advocacy become necessary—it also potentially protects other mothers and babies from harm through improved protocols. Seeking factual internal reviews, while uncomfortable, pushes positive changes. Hospitals should outline investigation procedures for grievances.

Exploring Legal Options if Injuries Result

In cases of lasting injuries to mothers and babies from medical negligence surrounding birth medications, pursuing just legal remedies against the provider finds appropriate accountability while gaining means toward lifelong treatments for resulting conditions. An attorney experienced in Illinois medical malpractice helps evaluate merits for a potential claim’s success.

Contact a Chicago, IL Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth should not pose added risks that are in the hands of a medical professional. But when preventable medication mistakes result in physical, neurological, or emotional trauma for mothers or newborns, exercising both internal and external response channels not only upholds your rights but may protect others from experiencing such harm. You deserve to see what options may be available for you. Working with a Cook County, IL birth injury attorney can see what options you may have. Call Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. at 312-462-4200 for a free consultation.