Prophylactic Cesarean Section at Term?

Abstract

A 40-year-old nullipara with an uncomplicated antepartum course entered labor spontaneously at 41 weeks' gestation. During early labor, the placenta suddenly detached. An emergency cesarean section was started less than 10 minutes after the onset of fetal bradycardia, but the baby's condition was depressed at birth, and eventually there was profound, permanent neurologic damage. The family initiated a malpractice suit.This patient and her baby experienced an unpredictable disaster. The medical response her physicians initiated was appropriate but ineffective. After a lengthy trial, the court concurred in this assessment of events, and the malpractice charge was dismissed.During the course . . .