Rh factor incompatibility is a blood related risk that is increased with each pregnancy. This is typically not a concern for women expecting their first child as the fetus’ blood does not enter the mother’s circulatory system unless there is an abnormality.
Rh factor incompatibility simply means the fetus and the mother have different blood types. If the father of the child is Rh positive, and the mother is Rh negative, it is possible that the fetus will inherent the father’s blood type, not the mother’s. The foreign blood type in the mother’s system will cause antibodies to fight off the fetal red blood cells, which leads to a host of problems for the fetus, and could lead to death.
HOW IS RH FACTOR INCOMPATIBILITY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE?
When a woman finds out she is pregnant it is routine that the doctor test blood types to check for a number of things, Rh factor incompatibility being one of them. If a woman is at risk for Rh incompatibility during her first pregnancy she will be given two rounds of Rh immune-globulin shots that will prevent the mother’s body from producing antibodies that fight off the fetus’ red blood cells in future pregnancies.
If in subsequent pregnancies different blood types are found, doctors are to monitor the pregnancy closely. If the risk to the mother or child increases, blood transfusions, or exchange transfusions, to counteract the antibodies will be administered during the pregnancy or after delivery. These replace the baby’s blood to match the mother’s and it stabilizes the level of red blood cells in the child. This is rarely done however, due to the success of Rh immune-globulin shots.
If Rh factor incompatibility is not tested for, detected early enough, or ignored this could be grounds for medical malpractice. This diagnosis could also have severe consequences for the mother and child.
If you were pregnant and your child is or has suffered severe any of the following conditions and you were never tested for Rh incompatibility, administered Rh immune-globulin shots, or treated during your subsequent pregnancies for Rh incompatibility you could be eligible for compensation due to medical negligence.
- Anemia
- Jaundice
- Brain damage which can lead to Cerebral Palsy
- Heart failure
OUR RH FACTOR INCOMPATIBILITY LAWYERS CAN HELP
Consult our Pennsylvania birth injury attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm if you suspect negligence after the birth of your child. Consultation and legal representation is free until we win your case, and even then you will never pay out of pocket, we will only be paying you the money you deserve.
Call now toll free at 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation. We have offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Scranton and Pittsburgh and will travel to you.
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