An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, usually inside a fallopian tube. If a doctor fails to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, it can cause a fallopian tube to burst. This leads to heavy internal bleeding, emergency surgery, or even the loss of the ability to have children.
In these cases, you may have grounds for a birth injury lawsuit in Philadelphia. Because this condition is a life-threatening emergency, doctors must follow strict steps to test for it.
What Doctors Should Do When They Suspect an Ectopic Pregnancy
Medical standards require doctors to evaluate any woman of childbearing age who has pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, or a positive pregnancy test without a pregnancy visible inside the uterus.
Standard medical evaluations include:
- Ordering a series of hCG blood tests to track hormone levels, which should double every 48 to 72 hours in a healthy early pregnancy
- Performing transvaginal ultrasounds to confirm where the pregnancy is located
- Doing pelvic exams to check for pelvic tenderness, abnormal masses, or signs of internal bleeding
Doctors can often treat an ectopic pregnancy safely during early stages using a medication called methotrexate, which stops cell growth so the body can reabsorb the tissue. If doctors miss the diagnosis, the fallopian tube can burst and cause severe internal bleeding. This requires immediate surgery and often results in the permanent loss of the fallopian tube.
Why Are Ectopic Pregnancies Missed?
Failures to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy often stem from common medical mistakes, including:
- Mistaking pelvic pain or spotting for a miscarriage or period without running proper tests
- Failing to order an ultrasound when a doctor cannot locate the pregnancy inside the uterus
- Discharging patients from the emergency room without scheduling follow-up blood work or imaging
- Trusting a negative urine test instead of ordering a more accurate quantitative blood test
- Misreading ultrasound images and missing a mass in the fallopian tube
These errors may rise to the level of malpractice when they deviate from accepted medical standards.
Medical Malpractice Claims For Delayed Ectopic Pregnancy
A medical malpractice lawsuit in Philadelphia regarding pregnancy complications generally requires you to show that a provider offered substandard care and failed to diagnose and treat your complications promptly. This, in itself, requires expert testimony showing what a reasonable provider would have done to discover your complications and treat them.
If you win a medical malpractice lawsuit for a delayed ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, you can seek compensation for:
- Emergency surgeries (e.g., fallopian tube removal or abdominal surgery)
- Hospital stays and blood transfusions
- Ongoing medical monitoring and care
- Loss of fertility or reduced natural conception ability
- Fertility treatments (e.g., IVF)
- Lost wages during recovery
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and grief from pregnancy or fertility loss
If a doctor’s failure to diagnose your ectopic pregnancy caused severe harm, you should consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Contact Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. to discuss your legal options. We provide free consultations to discuss your rights.