Incompetent Cervix

Understanding Your Birth Injury Rights with Incompetent Cervix Lawyer Mark Kopec

For expectant parents, the journey of pregnancy has anticipation and hope. The health and well-being of their unborn child is of paramount importance. Certain medical conditions can pose a significant risk if not properly diagnosed and managed. One such condition is an incompetent cervix. If left untreated, it can lead to devastating consequences, including premature birth and serious birth injury. The Kopec Law Firm provides this webpage to delve into the anatomy of the cervix, the nature of an incompetent cervix, its symptoms and risk factors. It also discusses the medical malpractice and recourse available to families affected by a failure to diagnose or treat this condition. If your child has been injured, you may need Baltimore incompetent cervix lawyer Mark Kopec.

The Anatomy of the Cervix: The Gatekeeper of the Womb

The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. In a non-pregnant state, the cervix allows for the passage of menstrual fluid and sperm. During pregnancy, the cervix plays a crucial role in protecting the developing fetus. It remains long, thick, and firmly closed. It acts as a gatekeeper to keep the baby safely inside the uterus until it is time for delivery. As pregnancy progresses towards full term, the cervix naturally begins to soften. It also shortens (effaces) and opens (dilates) in preparation for labor and birth.

What is an Incompetent Cervix?

An incompetent cervix is also known as cervical insufficiency. It is a medical condition where the cervix begins to efface and dilate too early in the pregnancy. This typically occurs in the second trimester, without any signs of labor, such as contractions. This premature opening of the cervix can then lead to the rupture of the amniotic sac, premature birth, or even pregnancy loss.

Recognizing the Signs: Symptoms of an Incompetent Cervix

Symptoms can include:

• Pelvic pressure: A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvic region.
• Backache: A new or unusual backache that is not related to posture or other obvious causes.
• Mild abdominal cramps: Gentle cramping in the lower abdomen.
• A change in vaginal discharge: An increase in the volume, or a change in the color or consistency of vaginal discharge, which may become watery or pink-tinged.
• Light vaginal spotting.

It is crucial for doctors to promptly respond to any of these symptoms, as early detection can significantly improve outcomes.

Who is at Risk? Identifying Individuals Prone to an Incompetent Cervix

Certain factors can increase a woman’s risk of developing an incompetent cervix. These include:

• Previous second-trimester pregnancy loss or premature birth: This is one of the most significant risk factors.
• Previous trauma to the cervix: This can occur during a previous difficult birth, or as a result of procedures such as a dilation and curettage (D&C) or a cone biopsy.
• Congenital conditions: Uterine abnormalities or genetic disorders that affect connective tissue, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can predispose a woman to cervical insufficiency.
• Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES): Women whose mothers took this synthetic estrogen during pregnancy are at an increased risk.
• Multiple gestations: Carrying twins, triplets, or more increases the pressure on the cervix.

Diagnosis and Treatment: A Proactive Approach is Key

A healthcare provider will typically consider a patient’s medical history, particularly any history of mid-trimester pregnancy loss. The primary diagnostic tool is a transvaginal ultrasound. This imaging technique allows the doctor to measure the length of the cervix. A short cervical length is a key indicator of an incompetent cervix. Regular ultrasound monitoring may be recommended for women with risk factors.

Once diagnosed, there are effective treatments available to manage an incompetent cervix and prolong the pregnancy:

• Cervical Cerclage: This is a surgical procedure where the doctor places a stitch around the cervix to reinforce it and keep it closed. A doctor typically performs a cerclage between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy and is removes it around 37 weeks, or earlier if labor begins.
• Progesterone Supplementation: The hormone progesterone can help to prevent premature contractions and may be prescribed as a daily vaginal suppository or weekly injection for women with a short cervix.
• Activity Restriction: In some cases, a doctor may recommend reduced physical activity or bed rest to decrease pressure on the cervix.

The Devastating Consequences of Untreated Incompetent Cervix – And the Need for Baltimore Incompetent Cervix Lawyer Mark Kopec

When an incompetent cervix is not diagnosed or is inadequately treated, the consequences can be tragic. The premature opening of the cervix can lead to:

• Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM): The amniotic sac can break too early. That increases the risk of infection and necessitates premature delivery.
• Preterm Birth: Delivery before 37 weeks of gestation is a major risk. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of serious health complications.
• Pregnancy Loss: In some cases, the pregnancy may not be viable if the delivery occurs too early in the second trimester.

Babies born prematurely due to an untreated incompetent cervix are at risk for a range of devastating and life-altering birth injuries, including:

• Cerebral Palsy: A group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone.
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Underdeveloped lungs can lead to breathing difficulties.
• Brain Injuries: Including bleeding in the brain (intraventricular hemorrhage) and periventricular leukomalacia (damage to the brain’s white matter).
• Developmental Delays: Cognitive and physical developmental milestones may be delayed.
• Vision and Hearing Problems.

Medical Malpractice with Baltimore Incompetent Cervix Lawyer Mark Kopec: When is a Healthcare Provider Liable?

There are instances where a healthcare provider’s failure to meet the accepted standard of care can lead to preventable harm. A birth injury claim based on the mismanagement of an incompetent cervix may arise from:

• Failure to Take a Thorough Medical History: A doctor who fails to inquire about a patient’s history of second-trimester miscarriages or premature births may miss a key indicator of risk.
• Failure to Recognize and Act on Symptoms: Dismissing a patient’s complaints of pelvic pressure or changes in vaginal discharge without proper investigation can be a breach of the standard of care.
• Failure to Perform or Recommend Appropriate Screening: For high-risk patients, failing to recommend transvaginal ultrasounds to monitor cervical length can be considered negligent.
• Failure to Offer or Properly Perform Treatment: Not offering a cerclage or progesterone to a patient who is a clear candidate, or performing the cerclage procedure incorrectly, can be grounds for a malpractice claim.
• Failure to Properly Manage a Diagnosed Condition: Inadequate monitoring or a delay in removing a cerclage when necessary can also lead to harm.

Required Proof

1. A Doctor-Patient Relationship Existed: This establishes the duty of the doctor to provide competent care.
2. The Doctor Breached the Standard of Care: The plaintiff must show that the doctor’s actions or inactions fell below what a reasonably prudent and skillful healthcare provider would have done in a similar situation.
3. The Breach of Care Caused the Injury: There must be a direct link between the doctor’s negligence and the birth injury sustained by the child.
4. Damages Resulted from the Injury: This includes the financial, physical, and emotional costs associated with the birth injury.

Next Step: Contact Baltimore Incompetent Cervix Lawyer Mark Kopec

Families who child’s birth injury was the result of a healthcare provider’s negligence in managing an incompetent cervix may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, lost future earnings, and pain and suffering.

The emotional and financial toll of a birth injury can be overwhelming. If you suspect that your child’s injuries may have been caused by a failure to diagnose or properly treat an incompetent cervix, it is essential to seek legal advice from an experienced birth injury attorney. We can review your medical records, consult with medical experts, and help you understand your legal options. No amount of money can undo the harm. However, a successful legal claim can provide the financial resources. This can ensure your child receives the best possible care and quality of life. Consult with Baltimore incompetent cervix lawyer Mark Kopec.

Visit the free consultation page or video. Then contact the Kopec Law Firm at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Mark Kopec. He is a top-rated Baltimore birth injury lawyer. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and pursues birth injury cases throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.