Mother sues Doctor over Cesarean

Posted by Brenda Lane Jan 3, 2007

A recent lawsuit was brought against a physician in Middlesex, MA for performing a cesarean without a medical reason. The surgery triggered multiple complications. This case was among the first ever where the patient successfully sued her doctor for doing a cesarean. She won $1.53 million in the lawsuit.

The mother, Mary Meador, reports that throughout her fourth pregnancy, her goal was to have a vaginal birth after birth (VBAC) and her obstretrician agreed to do one. However, two weeks before her due date, her doctor announced he would be on vacation and wanted to schedule a cesarean. When Meador objected, her doctor told her that labor would be too risky and compared her uterus to a "hydrogen bomb."

Meador testifies that she tried to find another physician to support her goals of a VBAC but she was too far along in her pregnancy. She went into labor and again asked to try for a VBAC, however another doctor in the practice performed a cesarean instead.

As a result of her cesarean, Meador developed complications including triggering a rare intestinal condition that caused her to lose 100 pounds and require tube feedings. Ultimarely she needed surgery that removed part of her intestine.

Meador says,

"For somebody who didn't want one surgery, I ended up with four," says Meador, now 50. She says she still cannot work."

This is a compelling story about a mother who was not given the option to pursue the kind of birth she hoped for an ultimately paid an enormous price for it.

What do you think about this story - let's talk about it on the forum!

Brenda