According to a judgment of the Court of First Instance number 22 of Barcelona, The Institut Catá de la Salut has to compensate with € 134,444 a couple who lost their daughter for “a bad professional practice”.
IS G. I had a high-risk qualified pregnancy diagnosed. Three years ago he went to the emergency department of the Arnau Hospital in Vilanova (Lleida) because he detected a rise in tension and a decrease in the movements of the fetus. They tested it and sent it home.
In the morning the pregnant woman went to the center for an Endocrinology control and, despite certifying that she had signs of preeclampsia, with blood pressure above 140 (as stated in the attendance sheet of the previous day), she was given the high and "it was sent at home in a hasty way and not adjusted to protocols", as reflected in the sentence.
The next day, he had a cardiotography and saw that the heart of the fetus was not beating. Two hours later, the gynecologist performed an ultrasound and found that the baby still did not move. Then he referred her to the emergency room.
According to the judge’s sentence, "The death of the fetus, 37 weeks, could have been avoided with an emergency caesarean section". Therefore, the complainants are right because the pregnant woman should have been admitted when anomalies were detected on her first visit to the hospital. The judge says that if the serious symptoms had been taken into account, the girl could have been saved: "The fetus was alive and must have acted to weigh that fetal well-being."
A high risk pregnancy
The parents say that "we are satisfied because with this conviction it has been shown that we were right and the hospital did not act correctly." The woman explains that “we were receiving fertility treatments for a long time until finally one of the embryos fertilized. Even so, the pregnancy was listed as high risk because I have diabetes and before I had suffered several abortions. ”
He adds that the specialists recommended that he “go to the emergency room every time he has high blood pressure. However, when I arrived they sent me home. ”
"No one will give us back what we have lost but what we want is that no other couple go through a situation as tragic as ours," he laments.
Cesarean sections, yes or no?
The increase in the number of caesarean sections in Spain has provoked an intense debate about where the limit is.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the caesarean section rate does not exceed 10-15% and should be performed only in necessary cases according to medical criteria. However, according to data from the Ministry of Health, in recent years the rate of caesarean section in Spain has increased to 25%.
These figures make our country one of those with the highest rate of caesarean sections in the European Union, surpassed, among others, by Italy with 35%. In Latin America, countries such as Brazil or the Dominican Republic multiply by six, the rate recommended by WHO.
But while it is true that these interventions should not be abused for comfort, it should not be forgotten that it is necessary in many cases and that it can save the life of the baby and the mother.
When is a cesarean delivery recommended?
Caesarean section is an intervened delivery, where an incision is made in the abdominal wall and the mother's uterus to remove the baby. There are many reasons why a doctor may opt for a cesarean delivery.
Previous placenta. When the placenta is low in the uterus and partially or completely covers the cervix.
Placental abruption. If the placenta separates from the uterine wall, something that can occur in the third trimester of pregnancy.
The mother will experience bleeding at the site of separation and pain in the uterus. If you seriously interfere with the supply of oxygen to the baby, you can opt for an urgent caesarean section.
Uterine rupture It only affects one in 1,500 births. It involves a tear of the uterus during pregnancy or childbirth, which can cause maternal hemorrhage and prevent oxygen from reaching the baby well. Caesarean section, then, is immediate.
Breech presentation. When a baby is placed on the buttocks at the time of delivery, a vaginal delivery can be attempted. However, if the baby is in danger or has a cord prolapse (which is more common in breech babies), a caesarean section should be chosen.
Cord prolapse It is not usual, but when it happens an emergency caesarean section is performed. It occurs when the umbilical cord slides through the cervix and protrudes from the vagina before the baby is born. When the uterus contracts, it causes pressure in the umbilical cord, which decreases blood flow to the baby.
Loss of fetal well-being If fetal monitoring detects a problem with the amount of oxygen the baby is receiving, an emergency C-section may be performed.
When the delivery does not progress. It occurs because the cervix has not fully dilated, the delivery has slowed or stopped, or the baby is not in an optimal birth position.
If fetal monitoring detects a problem with the amount of oxygen the baby is receiving, an emergency C-section may be performed.
Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD). If the baby's head is too large or the mother's pelvis is too small to allow the baby to pass through it.
Genital herpes. When the woman has an active outbreak of diagnosed genital herpes, it is common to schedule a C-section to prevent the baby from being exposed to the virus when passing through the birth canal.
Diabetes. If the mother develops gestational diabetes or was already diabetic before pregnancy, she may have a large baby or other complications. This increases the likelihood of giving birth by caesarean section.
Severe preeclampsia It involves high blood pressure during pregnancy, which can cause the placenta to get enough blood and reduce the flow of oxygen to the baby.
Birth defects If the baby has been diagnosed with a birth defect, it may be advisable to perform a C-section to reduce more complications during delivery.
Multiple births Twins can be born by vaginal delivery depending on their placement, estimated weight and gestational age. If the mother is going to have three or more babies, caesarean section is usually necessary almost always.
Via | Segre and American Pregnancy Association
