Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Selecting a Midwife
January 13, 2017
For many women, the idea of giving birth in a hospital setting surrounded by strangers is not their ideal scenario. Expectant mothers may prefer to give birth in the comfort of their own homes, with the help of an experienced midwife. If the pregnancy has been smooth, and there have been no complications, this can be a viable option. However, the delivery process can be extremely unpredictable an problems can arise that may put the mother and the baby at risk. As you plan for the birth of your baby, keep the following things in mind so that you are able to make an educated, well thought out decision.
- Avoid using a midwife if your pregnancy is high risk. A medical professional, like an experienced obstetrician, should monitor high-risk pregnancies regularly. If complications arise, your doctor will be able to address them immediately in a hospital, protecting the health of the mother and the baby.
- Research midwives in your area. The education requirements and certifications that midwives must have vary by state. Find out what your state requires and confirm that your midwife has all the appropriate credentials and that they are up to date. When conducting your research, see if your midwife has any pending or past malpractice lawsuits, or any other negative actions against their license.
- Find out what your state allows. Some states have specific requirements when it comes to home deliveries. For example, in certain states, midwives are allowed to deliver babies in a person’s home, but only if a doctor or certified nurse is present.
- Your midwife should have a back up plan. Even the most uneventful pregnancies can become high-risk if something goes wrong. The midwife should be prepared for any situation. Inquire if your midwife has certain equipment should it become necessary, including electronic fetal monitoring and oxygen tanks. Also, confirm that he or she has an obstetrician on call. In case of an emergency, find out the location of the nearest hospital.
- Does your midwife have malpractice insurance? Your midwife should have a minimum of $5 million of medical malpractice coverage in the event that something goes wrong.
Common Causes of Birth Injuries
- Poor Patient Screening
- Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
- Negligent Credentials
- Failure to evaluate the condition of the baby
- Failure to follow standard policies regarding emergency deliveries.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Birth Injuries
If you or your child has been injured during birth, and you believe your midwife was responsible, the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are experienced in handling these types of cases. We understand that midwives play an important role in helping women achieve a natural birth experience. However, in the event something goes wrong, we are on your side and will take every necessary step to determine who is responsible for your child’s injuries. We will seek the maximum allowable compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent victims of medical malpractice in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
