Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), commonly referred to as stillbirth, is extremely devastating for any family. Continue reading to learn about the most common causes of IUFD and the legal action your family can take if it was preventable.
What Is Intrauterine Fetal Demise?
Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) refers to when a fetus dies in the womb, after the 20th week of gestation. Tragically, there were more than 21,000 cases of IUFD reported in the United States in 2021.
IUFD is different from a miscarriage, which occurs before 20 weeks of gestation. IUFD is further classified by when the loss occurs:
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Early: Between 20-27 weeks
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Late: Between 28-36 weeks
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Term: At or after 37 weeks
There are many potential causes of IUFD, including maternal complications, infections, and problems with the umbilical cord. While this loss can happen during any pregnancy, healthcare providers can take steps to lower the risk.
Sadly, some cases of IUFD are caused by a lack of proper medical care. When a medical provider fails to monitor, treat, or diagnose an expectant mother, they may be held liable for the outcome.
Expectant mothers should be aware of the symptoms that may indicate IUFD.
Possible signs include:
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Reduced fetal movement
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Vaginal bleeding or spotting
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Cramping and abdominal pain
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Lack of fetal heart rate
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Nausea
If an expecting mother experiences these symptoms, she should contact her doctor immediately.
Causes of Intrauterine Fetal Demise
Common causes of IUFD include:
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Placental and umbilical cord issues
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Maternal health conditions
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Fetal Issues
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Environmental factors
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Failure to monitor
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Mismanagement of labor and delivery
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Failure to manage maternal conditions
While some cases of IUFD are unavoidable, high-risk pregnancies should be closely monitored and managed to reduce the risk. If medical providers fail to do this, families may be able to sue for medical malpractice.
Placental Issues
The placenta is an organ that connects to the fetus through the umbilical cord. When there are issues with the placenta, it can lead to oxygen deprivation in the baby. Common placental issues that lead to IUFD include abruption, insufficiency, and abnormalities.
Umbilical Cord Issues
The umbilical cord provides the baby with essential nutrients, oxygen, and blood. Issues with the umbilical cord, such as cord compression, entanglement, and knots, can cause the baby to not receive oxygen and vital nutrients.
Unfortunately, umbilical cord issues are one of the most common causes of fetal death.
Maternal Infections
Maternal infections can be extremely dangerous to a fetus if they are not promptly diagnosed and treated. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections can all be dangerous to the developing fetus baby.
Common infections that are associated with IUFD include:
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Syphilis
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Listeriosis
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Bacterial vaginosis
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Rubella
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Cytomegalovirus
These infections can damage the placenta, directly infect the baby, or cause maternal illness that hurts the baby’s health.
Fetal Issues
Fetal issues that can cause stillbirth include congenital abnormalities, genetic disorders, fetal infections, and intrauterine growth restriction.
Environmental Factors
Environmental exposures that are linked to an increased risk of stillbirth include:
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Maternal recreational drug use
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Maternal smoking
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Air pollution
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Extreme heat exposure
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Toxic substances, such as lead
These risks highlight the importance of personal health choices and proper monitoring.
IUFD and Medical Negligence
IUFD can also be caused by improper medical care. This would be even more devastating if it could have been prevented with proper monitoring and treatment.
Failure to Monitor High-Risk Pregnancies
Throughout pregnancy, the baby and mother must be monitored, especially if the pregnancy is high-risk.
Situations of negligence that can lead to IUFD include:
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Inadequate prenatal testing and monitoring.
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Ignoring signs of fetal distress.
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Not following up on abnormal ultrasounds.
Medical providers must monitor and follow up with expectant mothers to ensure that the fetus is developing as it should.
Mismanagement of Labor and Delivery
During labor, there are many medical errors that could lead to IUFD. These errors can include:
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Delayed treatment when complications arise.
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Misuse of labor-inducing drugs, like Cytotec and Pitocin.
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Failure to perform c-section.
These errors are 100% preventable, making them key signs that the medical team was negligent during the pregnancy.
Failure to Manage Maternal Conditions
Medical providers are expected to manage any maternal conditions and promptly treat them to ensure the safety of the mother and baby. Poor management of conditions like diabetes or hypertension can ultimately cause stillbirth, even though in most cases it is preventable.
Legal Implications of Negligence
When IUFD was preventable with proper medical care, the family may be able to file a birth injury lawsuit.
To have a successful lawsuit you must be able to prove:
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The medical provider had a professional duty to care for you and your baby.
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The medical provider was negligent and breached the standard of care.
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The negligence caused intrauterine fetal demise.
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The family suffered financial and emotional damage due to the death.
Families may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages for their losses. Non-economic damages compensate for the intangible losses, such as emotional distress and loss of joy and experiences the baby and parents would have shared.
Economic damages would compensate for financial losses, such as funeral expenses and medical bills.
Contact Our Birth Injury Attorneys at The Mellino Law Firm
Losing a baby is a devastating situation for the parents and family, and nothing will take away the pain and grief of losing a baby. But, your family may be able to receive compensation for IUFD if it could have been prevented with proper medical care.
If you suspect that your baby passed while in the womb due to medical negligence, contact our Cleveland birth injury attorneys by dialing (440) 333-800 or filling out our contact form.