Conjoined Twins
Conjoined twins begin their lives as a single fertilized egg that is only partially separated within the uterus. Unlike identical twins, these fetuses have one or more body parts permanently attached. Though this condition is extremely rare, it is important for medical professionals to treat women who are pregnant with conjoined twins with exceptional care and minimize preventable birth injuries or complications that may result.
With appropriate fetal monitoring, obstetricians should be able to identify conjoined twins early on in the pregnancy and act accordingly with treatment and prenatal care. If this is not done or the treatment your doctor provided was negligent or abusive, you may be able to bring your case to court for medical malpractice. To learn more about conjoined twins and related birth injuries, contact the Philadelphia birth injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today by calling 215-238-1130.
Potential Complications
Because of the unique condition of this pregnancy, there are several serious complications that both the mother and set of twins are at risk of, including:
- Excessive amniotic fluid
- Premature rupture of the membranes
- Preterm labor
- Problems with the umbilical cord
- Stillbirth
On top of the complications that already exist, conjoined twins rarely can be delivered vaginally, so a doctor must prepare for a C-section. This can lead to additional complications due to the nature of this procedure.
As an expectant mother, you deserve a reasonable standard of care from all of the medical professionals that you come in contact with. If you encounter care that does not meet this standard, you may be able to take legal action. Consult with a Philadelphia birth injury attorney right away for legal counsel regarding your individual case.
Contact Us
If you have experienced a preventable birth injury due to your delivery of conjoined twins, call the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 215-238-1130.