Jury Gives Family $3.0 Million When One Twin Passed Away And The Other Suffered Significant Brain In

A monoamniotic-monochorionic twin pregnancy is a situation in which twins share the same amniotic sac. This is an extraordinarily rare dangerous pregnancy, as it can lead the umbilical cords of the two babies to become intertwined. If this occurs both babies might die or the death of one twin could cause the other twin to endure a significant brain injury. In situations where umbilical cord occlusion takes place, time is of the essence for the doctor to diagnose the complication and perform an emergency C-section.

In a certain number of pregnancies concerning twins a condition might happen in which the two twins grow within a single amniotic sac. This situation is referred to as a monoamniotic-monochorionic pregnancy. There is the possibility that the umbilical cords can become intertwined placing at risk the health and even the live of the twins. In some cases where there is umbilical cord occlusion the two twins die. In other scenarios one baby survives but sustains considerable brain damage. Doctors generally recognize that these pregnancies should be carefully tracked. By doing this, if an umbilical cord problem occurs a timely emergency C-section can save the twins.

In the uncommon circumstance in which unborn twins share the same amniotic sac there is a substantial possibility that their umbilical cords may become entangled. This cuts off the oxygen supply to the babies. In some cases neither baby survives. In some other instances even though one baby lives that twin will suffer a serious brain injury. An emergency C-section immediately after an umbilical cord occlusion occurs is the only way to keep both babies alive and avoid a brain injury. This involves careful checking of the mother throughout the pregnancy for signs that the umbilical cords have become knotted.

One form of high risk pregnancy occurs when the woman has twins but only one amniotic sac, a situation known as monoamniotic-monochorionic twins. This form of pregnancy carries the known risk of umbilical cord entanglement. In the event this takes place the oxygen supply to the twins may be cut off. The babies require a steady supply of oxygen to develop normally. Exposure to an extended period of oxygen insufficiency may lead to brain damage or even to the death of the twins. Give that this is a known complication of a monoamniotic-monochorionic twin pregnancy the expectant mothers physician ought to thoroughly monitor the pregnancy for any signals of umbilical cord occlusion. Physicians typically agree that in order to preserve the life and health of the babies the medically correct course of action is an emergency C-section the moment signs of this complication appear.

In this article we look at a reported lawsuit in which the pregnant woman was diagnosed with this sort of pregnancy. Beginning in the 26th week of pregnancy her physician ordered twice a week non-stress testing to keep tabs on vital signs of her twins. Although it was common practice to admit the mother and have the babies monitored every day, the doctor failed to do this and at some point between 2 tests, one twin passed away and the other twin sustained considerable brain damage.

The family filed a lawsuit claiming medical malpractice. Even though the parents had experienced a tragic loss, the defense would not settle. The law firm that represented the family took the claim to trial. After the law firm overcame a number of procedural hurdles and an appeal by the defense, the Appeals Court upheld the jury award to the family in the amount of $3.0 Million. The Appeals Court even cited a number of studies and articles which explained that to keep the babies alive and healthy it is necessary to admit the pregnant woman at approximately the twenty sixth week of the pregnancy and to conduct non-stress tests at a minimum frequency of once a day, if not two to three times daily, to monitor the vital signs of the twins.