OB/GYN’s Failure to Manage Postpartum Complications

For many families, childbirth is meant to be a joyful milestone. But when medical professionals fail to provide proper care after delivery, what should be a time of healing and bonding can quickly become a medical crisis. The postpartum period is a critical window when mothers are vulnerable to serious health complications that require swift and skilled medical attention. An OB/GYN’s failure to manage postpartum complications can turn a routine delivery into a devastating tragedy and, in many instances, constitutes medical malpractice. If you or a loved one sustained damages due to a doctor’s inattentive postpartum care, it is important to understand your rights, and you should talk to an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our assertive Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys are devoted to advocating for victims of medical negligence, and if you engage our services, we will craft compelling arguments on your behalf to aid you in your pursuit of damages. We represent individuals and families in claims against careless doctors across Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New York.

An OB/GYN’s failure to manage postpartum complications can result in devastating physical injuries and emotional trauma. Postpartum complications may arise within hours of delivery or over the course of several days, and prompt medical intervention is essential. Common complications include postpartum hemorrhage, infection, retained placenta, preeclampsia or eclampsia, blood clots, and uterine rupture. These conditions are often treatable when identified quickly, but delays in diagnosis or treatment can result in permanent disability or death.

When healthcare providers fail to adequately monitor vital signs, assess pain levels, investigate abnormal bleeding, or respond to signs of infection, patients are left vulnerable to preventable harm. In some cases, postpartum hemorrhage may be dismissed as normal bleeding until the patient goes into hypovolemic shock. Infections such as endometritis or sepsis may be overlooked until the patient becomes critically ill. Preeclampsia and eclampsia, which can present with subtle symptoms after birth, may lead to seizures or strokes if not appropriately managed. These failures can occur in hospital settings, during early discharge, or in follow-up visits with an obstetrician or nurse midwife.

The consequences of these errors are severe. Women may require emergency surgery, blood transfusions, intensive care, or long-term medical support. Survivors may suffer from organ damage, infertility, emotional distress, and post-traumatic stress. Families may also face the heartbreaking loss of a mother due to avoidable negligence. In all of these cases, an OB/GYN’s failure to manage postpartum complications reflects a breakdown in the duty of care owed to the patient and can form the basis of a medical malpractice claim.

A woman harmed by an OB/GYN’s failure to manage postpartum complications may have a valid claim for medical malpractice. In most instances, a plaintiff harmed by incompetent care will pursue negligence-based claims. As such, they must demonstrate duty, breach, causation, and damages in order to prevail.

Duty refers to the obligations imposed on doctors in the context of care. A defendant provider's duty to a patient is to follow the standards of care recognized in the medical community.

A breach of that duty occurs when the defendant deviates from the standard of care. This may include failing to monitor vital signs after delivery, not ordering diagnostic tests for excessive bleeding or infection, ignoring abnormal lab results, or failing to provide adequate discharge instructions. In some cases, providers may also fail to follow up with patients who report symptoms in the days after birth, dismissing warning signs that should trigger immediate evaluation and treatment.

The plaintiff must also prove that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused their injury. This means demonstrating that, had the defendant acted appropriately, the harm could have been prevented or minimized. For example, a patient who lost her uterus due to an untreated postpartum infection may be able to show that timely antibiotic treatment or surgery would have preserved her reproductive health. Finally, the plaintiff must establish that they suffered measurable damages, such as physical pain, loss of fertility, emotional distress, additional medical expenses, or lost income.

Medical malpractice claims involving postpartum complications often require expert testimony to establish the applicable standard of care and explain how the provider’s actions deviated from that standard. Experts may also help prove that earlier or alternative treatment would have prevented the patient’s injuries. In cases involving complex medical issues such as preeclampsia, uterine rupture, or sepsis, expert insight is essential to ensure the court understands the significance of the provider’s failure and the full extent of the resulting harm.

Postpartum care is just as important as prenatal care and labor management, and when healthcare providers fall short, the results can be devastating. If you or someone you love suffered harm due to an OB/GYN’s failure to manage postpartum complications, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys take pride in holding negligent providers accountable for the harm they cause, and if we represent you, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. Our main office is in Syracuse and we serve clients in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York. To learn more, contact us online or call 833-200-2000 for a free and confidential consultation.