Missed chorioamnionitis can cause serious pregnancy and birth injuries when a medical team fails to recognize and treat a dangerous infection in time. If that delay causes harm to you or your child, North Carolina medical malpractice law may allow a claim.
What signs should a medical team catch?
Chorioamnionitis is an infection, most often bacterial, that involves the placenta, amniotic fluid or fetal membranes before or during labor. Providers should watch for warning signs and respond quickly when they appear. Common signs can include:
- Maternal fever
- Elevated maternal heart rate
- Fetal tachycardia
- Uterine tenderness
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
These signs matter because they can point to an infection that needs immediate testing and treatment. Cleveland Clinic’s overview of chorioamnionitis also describes how this condition affects pregnancy.
Delayed diagnosis can harm both mother and baby
If a provider misses the infection, the delay can put both you and the baby at risk. A newborn may face sepsis, breathing problems or brain injury. You may face serious complications such as hemorrhage, abscess or septic shock.
Prompt antibiotics and timely delivery decisions can reduce the risk of serious complications for both mother and baby. In some pregnancy complication cases, the central issue is whether the medical team responded fast enough to warning signs that should have triggered action.
What does a malpractice claim usually require?
A North Carolina malpractice claim generally requires proof that a provider fell below the accepted standard of care and that the failure caused measurable harm. State procedural rules also require a qualified medical expert to review the case records before you can file a formal complaint.
If you suspect missed chorioamnionitis caused an injury, starting the record review early can preserve evidence that might otherwise become difficult to obtain. A medical malpractice attorney can help you secure fetal monitoring strips, hospital charts and lab results and assess whether the response to warning signs met the accepted standard of care.