Ectopic pregnancies can be unpredictable and devastating for expecting parents. If a doctor failed to diagnose your or your partner’s pregnancy as ectopic in time, and serious complications occurred, you may have the right to sue them for damages. Compensation can help you afford the care you need to recover. A lawsuit is also a good way to ensure the doctor thinks twice when they come across a similar situation in the future.
If you suspect you may have been a victim of medical negligence but aren’t sure, learning the basics about ectopic pregnancies may help you get a better idea.
What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?
Ovulation begins when an ovary releases an egg into one of the fallopian tubes. Once the egg meets with sperm and gets fertilized, it then attaches, or implants, onto the lining of the uterus. It continues to grow and develop for the next nine months. However, in about 2% of pregnancies, a fertilized egg implants in a place other than the uterus. Most often, this will be in one of the fallopian tubes. An egg may also implant in an ovary, cervix, or the belly.
When an egg implants outside of the uterus, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy usually results in a miscarriage. It can even be life-threatening if it goes undiagnosed and ruptures in the fallopian tube.
Signs and Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy
The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may include:
- Sharp pain or stabbing pain in the abdomen, lower back, pelvis, or stomach that comes and goes, varying in intensity
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Pain during urination and bowel movements
- Cramping or tenderness on one side of the pelvis
The American Pregnancy Association notes the importance of contacting your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially any bleeding or sharp pain that lasts more than a few minutes.
Risk Factors for an Ectopic Pregnancy
According to the Mayo Clinic, the risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy include, but are not limited to, the following:
- History of one or more ectopic pregnancies
- Infertility
- Inflammation
- Tubal surgeries
- Smoking
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
- In vitro fertilization (IVF), or other fertility treatments
- Tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied”
Failure to Diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy Claims in Michigan
Depending on a patient’s history and presentation, doctors can perform studies and tests to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy. In other words, if your risk factors and symptoms went ignored, you may have been a victim of medical negligence.
A medical professional can be held accountable for the delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of ectopic pregnancies. Such negligence can lead to serious internal damage, including permanent damage to the fallopian tubes. If this occurs, it may be impossible to get pregnant in the future.
Have you been injured because of an undiagnosed/misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy? We are here to advocate for you. Contact Grewal Law PLLC online to learn more in a free consultation with a Michigan attorney.