Nothing is more joyful than learning you are pregnant, carrying your growing baby and delivering a healthy child. Becoming a mother, whether it is for the first time or the third, is an accomplishment that should not be downplayed. Pregnant women should consult an obstetrician for support throughout their pregnancy and care during the delivery of the baby.
There are several key responsibilities that every obstetrician must fulfill to effectively serve patients. Violation of these responsibilities can have dire consequences for both mothers and children. If your obstetrician has failed to fulfill any of the following obligations, it may constitute medical malpractice:
Diagnose symptoms of mother
It is one of an obstetrician’s primary responsibilities to assess any symptoms reported by a mother and diagnose them accurately. According to The Atlantic, women who report symptoms may be treated differently than men who report symptoms. This problem may extend even to pregnant women. It is the duty of your obstetrician to seriously consider the symptoms you report and provide an honest diagnosis and treatment.
Deliver baby using appropriate method
Yet another important responsibility of an obstetrician is to assist women in labor and deliver newborns. Several complications can arise during birth, and doctors are sometimes forced to make decisions when circumstances are urgent. Still, whenever it is possible, decisions about a child’s birth should always be left up to the mother. A C-section or other intervention should not be initiated unless necessary.
Prevent potential injuries during birth
Just as many things can naturally go wrong during the birth of a child, many unnatural accidents can occur that may cause completely preventable injuries. It is tragically true that there are countless cases of birth injuries each year that leave infants permanently disabled. Brachial palsy, brain injuries, facial paralysis and cephalohematoma are some of the most common examples.