Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare and often catastrophic obstetric emergency in which amniotic fluid or fetal material enters the maternal circulation, triggering sudden cardiovascular collapse, respiratory failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation during labour, delivery, or the immediate post-partum period. It is largely unpredictable and unpreventable, and it carries a high rate of maternal and fetal death even with optimal care.
Because the condition itself is not generally preventable, litigation arising from amniotic fluid embolism tends to focus on the adequacy and speed of the response once collapse occurs: recognition of the emergency, resuscitation, management of the coagulopathy and haemorrhage, and timely delivery. The standard of care is a matter of expert evidence from obstetrics, anaesthesia, and critical care, and causation can be difficult given the high baseline mortality regardless of the response.
Posts tagged Amniotic Fluid Embolism analyze Ontario and other Canadian decisions involving this obstetric emergency, with particular attention to the adequacy of the emergency response and to causation.
The Court of Appeal affirmed a $12 million plaintiff verdict for catastrophic maternal brain injury, rejecting the defence theory of amniotic fluid embolism.
A young mother left in a permanent vegetative state after C-section. The court found anesthesiology negligence but accepted that an amniotic fluid embolism was the unavoidable cause.
Free, confidential consultations. Paul reviews every potential case personally and tells you honestly whether it merits investigation.