As a fetus grows in the womb, its weight places greater and greater pressure on the mother’s cervix. While this normally is not an issue, in some cases, it can cause the cervix to begin to open before the fetus is ready to be born. This condition – known as an incompetent cervix, weakened cervix, or cervical insufficiency – occurs in about one percent of pregnancies according to the American Pregnancy Association (APA).
Cervical insufficiency is a natural condition that simply results from the fetus’s weight placing physical strain on the mother’s cervix. However, there are a number of factors that can increase the risk of an incompetent cervix during pregnancy, and there are a number of medical mistakes that can increase the risks associated with an incompetent cervix during pregnancy as well. As a result, in many cases, when complications from cervical insufficiency lead to birth injuries or miscarriage, families will be entitled to financial compensation for medical malpractice.
The APA identifies a number of risk factors that can increase the chances of cervical insufficiency during pregnancy. Early during an expecting mother’s pregnancy (or prior to pregnancy, if possible), the mother’s doctor should identify these risk factors and provide appropriate medical advice based on the specific concerns that he or she identifies. According to the APA, risk factors for incompetent cervix include:
Notably, while these conditions can increase the risk of cervical insufficiency during pregnancy, it is possible to experience an incompetent cervix without these risk factors being present. As a result, doctors must monitor all expecting mothers for signs of cervical insufficiency so that they can recommend appropriate medical intervention if necessary. Warning signs and symptoms of an incompetent cervix may include:
These warning signs and symptoms typically (though not always) begin between the 14th and 20th weeks of pregnancy.
Without appropriate medical intervention, an incompetent cervix can potentially lead to tragic consequences. If the mother’s doctor does not intervene in time, a miscarriage is a possibility. It may be necessary to induce labor or perform an emergency cesarean section (C-section) delivery in order to protect the fetus, and sadly, both of these options carry risks for the fetus as well. Risks associated with premature delivery due to cervical insufficiency include (but are not limited to):
If you or your spouse or partner was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix during pregnancy, you should speak with a Connecticut incompetent cervix lawyer about your family’s legal rights. While it is not always possible to prevent miscarriage or birth injuries due to an incompetent cervix, these outcomes are preventable in many cases.
At Berkowitz Hanna, our Connecticut incompetent cervix attorneys can review your medical records and determine whether mistakes were made. We can determine whether your miscarriage or your child’s complications could – and should – have been prevented, and we can take appropriate legal action on your behalf. With decades of experience representing families throughout Connecticut in birth injury cases, we can handle your case efficiently and effectively, and we can make sure your provider is held fully accountable for any and all mistakes that were made.
In order to get started, all you have to do is get in touch. We can arrange for you to speak with one of our attorneys in person or over the phone at a time that is convenient for you, and your Connecticut incompetent cervix attorney will explain everything you need to know about moving forward.
In cases involving miscarriage or complications from cervical insufficiency caused by medical malpractice, families can seek financial compensation for all financial and non-financial losses resulting from their doctors’ negligence. Financial losses typically include:
Non-financial losses typically include:
Depending on the circumstances involved, parents may be able to recover compensation for the mother’s injuries, the effects of their doctor’s malpractice on their child’s health and development, their child’s death, or all of the above.
Sadly, far too many families suffer life-altering consequences due to their doctors’ failure to diagnose and treat cervical insufficiency properly. Unfortunately, these cases are far more common than they should be. If your family is suffering, pursuing a medical malpractice claim will be important for various reasons, and we strongly encourage you to contact us to learn more.
For more information about filing a malpractice claim, contact a Connecticut incompetent cervix lawyer at our office today. We look forward to helping you in any way we can.
Berkowitz Hanna
