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Amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure used in about 5% of pregnancies in the UK to check for possible abnormalities of the foetus, particularly chromosome deficiencies, but, as with any medical procedure, there is a slight possibility of complications leading to a birth injury claim.
Maternal conditions which could indicate a recommendation of amniocentesis include the woman's age, and medical and family history which might reveal factors increasing the risk of an abnormality developing in the unborn child. The health professional in charge of the pregnancy will explain why the test is recommended but it will be up to the mother to decide whether to go ahead.
During amniocentesis, a long, thin needle is inserted in the mother's abdomen. It enters the amniotic sac to withdraw a small sample of the fluid which surrounds the foetus and contains some of the baby's cells which can be analysed to find out about its health and development. An ultrasound scan is usually used to check the position of the baby during the procedure.
The test takes less than half an hour and should enable diagnosis of conditions including Down syndrome, Edward's syndrome and Patau's syndrome, all of which can occur when a baby is born with an extra chromosome.
Most tests are carried out during the 18th week of pregnancy, although it can be carried out earlier but that is when damage to the developing baby's limbs is more likely to occur.
Other problems which may arise and could lead to a birth injury to either the mother or child include infection of the amniotic sac from the needle and failure of the puncture to heal properly which could result in leakage or infection. Serious difficulties may end in miscarriage.
Premature labour and birth, respiratory distress, postural deformities, foetal trauma and rhesus disease developing in the mother are further difficulties which have been identified as possible results of amniocentesis.
Overall, the chances of a miscarriage have been estimated at 1 in 1,600 while that for other procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is 1 in 100 but may be preferable to amniocentesis.
In April 2010, a Belfast woman was awarded compensation by the High Court as a result of brain damage she suffered following an amniocentesis test carried out on her mother in 1985. The needle had caused a feto-maternal haemorrhage, causing the baby to be starved of oxygen.
The claimant's parents made a clinical negligence claim on the basis that the hospital was liable for their daughter's brain injury because of a two-day delay in performing a caesarean section.
Starting a birth injury claim for compensation
Any medical intervention carries a risk of injury, none more so than that involving a birth where the baby could also be harmed. If you feel that intervention in your pregnancy or labour has been carried out negligently and has caused you or your baby birth injury, you may be able to make a medical negligence claim.
Here at YouClaim we understand the pain and distress of birth injury claims; our medical negligence lawyers are among the most experienced in the UK and you have peace of mind thanks to their supervision by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
While the complexities of birth injury claims make it impossible to say that you will not be charged any legal fees, we assure you that we will advise you of any charges before you commit to them and in a won case YouClaim will endeavour to reimburse you and you will receive 100% of all compensation awarded.
If you wish to discuss a birth injury compensation claim, please call our free, confidential helpline now on 0800 10 757 95, or request a more convenient time when we can call you back. Alternatively, fill in the online claim form and we will look into your compensation claim before we call you to discuss it further.
