Ectopic Pregnancies
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb. If the egg becomes stuck in the fallopian tube, steps must be taken to address it. The failure to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, or a delay in treating an ectopic pregnancy, will allow the pregnancy to continue which will jeopardise the fallopian tube and increase the risk of potentially catastrophic internal bleeding.
An ectopic pregnancy does not always cause symptoms and may only be detected during a routine pregnancy scan. They can also be detected as a result of scans when there is a pregnancy of unknown location. Where symptoms develop they usually include a combination of a missed period and other signs of pregnancy, pain down low down on one side of the tummy, vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge, pain in the tip of the shoulder, and discomfort when going to the toilet. Symptoms must be investigated with an ultrasound scan and blood tests to assess the level of pregnancy hormone, and the ectopic pregnancy must be treated with either a medicine called methotrexate or surgical intervention.
A failure or delay to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy will allow the pregnancy to develop and this will eventually compromise the fallopian tube. Early diagnosis will usually enable treatment with methotrexate to stop the pregnancy from growing. If the window for treatment with methotrexate has passed, surgical options include a salpingostomy, to remove the pregnancy and repair the fallopian tube, or a salpingotomy where the tube and the pregnancy are removed. Left untreated, the fallopian tube will rupture and cause internal bleeding requiring emergency surgical intervention.
The specialist medical negligence team at O’Donnell Solicitors has extensive experience in advising clients who have experienced negligence in the diagnosis and management of an ectopic pregnancy. Successful claims have seen the recovery of compensation for the avoidable pain, suffering and loss of amenity associated with the loss of a fallopian tube and the need for future IVF treatment.
