Common Medical Mistakes That Harm Mothers During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when women place their trust in medical professionals to safeguard not only their health, but the health of their unborn child. Most expectant mothers closely follow their healthcare providers’ guidance, attending regular appointments, undergoing routine testing, and reporting any unusual symptoms. But when doctors, nurses, or hospital staff fail to meet the standard of care, that trust can be shattered, and the consequences can be life-changing.

Every year, women across Georgia suffer preventable injuries during pregnancy due to avoidable medical mistakes. These aren’t rare, once-in-a-lifetime errors: they’re often the result of missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, or poor communication among care providers. At The Baer Law Firm, we work with mothers who were harmed by medical negligence at a time when they were most vulnerable. In this post, we’ll examine some of the most common medical mistakes made during pregnancy and explain how to recognize when a provider’s error may have crossed the line into malpractice.

The Stakes Are High: Why Maternal Health Requires Precision

Pregnancy places extraordinary demands on a woman’s body, and medical providers must respond with equal care, precision, and vigilance. Unlike other areas of medicine, prenatal care is not just about monitoring one patient; it involves two lives, both of which can be affected by a single misstep. Timely intervention, accurate diagnosis, and proactive communication are not optional during pregnancy: they are essential to protecting the mother’s health and preventing long-term complications.

When providers fail to meet these responsibilities, the risks escalate quickly. What may begin as a minor infection or a routine warning sign can develop into a life-threatening condition if not addressed with urgency. Conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or maternal infections often come with recognizable symptoms and manageable treatment paths, but when these are missed or ignored, the consequences can include organ failure, permanent reproductive damage, or even death. The margin for error in maternal care is narrow, and there is simply no room for complacency.

At The Baer Law Firm, we understand that maternal injuries are not just medical complications; they are deeply personal and often devastating setbacks. That’s why we take every case seriously, thoroughly investigating whether a provider’s mistake was the true cause of the harm. For women who trusted their doctors and were still left injured, our role is to help uncover what went wrong and to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

Most Common Medical Errors That Harm Mothers

While every pregnancy is different, there are several medical mistakes that appear again and again in cases of maternal injury. These errors are not always dramatic or immediately obvious: in many instances, harm builds quietly over time due to neglect, miscommunication, or failure to act. Understanding the most common types of mistakes can help families recognize when their care may have fallen below the accepted medical standard.

Failure to Diagnose or Treat Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling. Left untreated, it can lead to seizures, organ damage, stroke, or even maternal death. Yet, the signs are often subtle and develop gradually, making it essential for providers to closely monitor blood pressure and other indicators. When doctors fail to recognize or respond to these warning signs, the result can be catastrophic. At The Baer Law Firm, we frequently see cases where a mother’s worsening condition was documented but never acted upon, a clear breach of duty.

Mismanagement of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes can typically be managed with dietary changes, medication, and regular monitoring. But if left untreated, it can increase the mother’s risk of high blood pressure, preterm labor, and complications during delivery. Failure to screen for this condition, provide appropriate care, or monitor glucose levels closely can result in serious harm. In some cases, untreated gestational diabetes also places the child at risk, but the mother’s health is too often overlooked in the legal process. We make sure that doesn’t happen.

Delayed Response to Infection

Infections like urinary tract infections, listeria, or group B strep may seem minor at first, but during pregnancy, they can escalate quickly into life-threatening complications. A delay in diagnosing or treating infection can result in sepsis, early labor, or lasting organ damage. In many of these cases, women report symptoms to their provider, only to have their concerns dismissed or improperly evaluated. At The Baer Law Firm, we recognize these failures for what they are: preventable oversights with life-altering consequences.

Medication Errors During Pregnancy

Prescribing and managing medication during pregnancy requires extraordinary care. Certain drugs can be dangerous to a developing fetus, while others may put the mother’s health at risk if not properly adjusted. Unfortunately, many medical providers fail to fully consider a patient’s pregnancy when prescribing treatment. Whether it’s a failure to recognize contraindications, an incorrect dosage, or a lack of follow-up on potential side effects, medication errors can cause serious harm. Some result in allergic reactions, internal damage, or adverse interactions with other medications already in use. In other cases, the medications prescribed worsen an existing condition that should have been closely monitored. When these preventable errors occur, the consequences can be both immediate and long-term.

Surgical or Procedural Mistakes

Pregnancy may involve procedures such as cervical cerclage, amniocentesis, or emergency cesarean sections, all of which carry inherent risks. But when healthcare professionals make avoidable mistakes during these procedures, the results can be devastating. Errors in surgical technique, use of unsterile equipment, or failure to monitor the mother’s recovery can lead to infections, hemorrhage, or damage to reproductive organs. These are not just unfortunate outcomes; they are often the result of rushing, poor planning, or inadequate training. At The Baer Law Firm, we work with medical experts to investigate how these procedures were performed, assess whether the standard of care was adhered to, and hold providers accountable when it wasn’t.

When Negligence Crosses the Line Into Malpractice

Not every complication during pregnancy is the result of malpractice, but when medical professionals fail to act according to established standards of care, and a mother suffers preventable harm as a result, that failure becomes a legal matter. The distinction between an unfortunate outcome and a malpractice case lies in whether the injury could have been avoided with proper attention, timely diagnosis, or appropriate treatment. In many of the maternal injury cases we handle at The Baer Law Firm, the warning signs were clear, but providers failed to respond.

The law requires more than just evidence of harm; it requires proof that a medical provider’s actions, or inaction, directly caused that harm. This can be especially challenging in pregnancy-related cases, where symptoms often evolve gradually and where complications may be wrongly attributed to natural risks of childbirth. That’s why a thorough legal investigation is critical. At The Baer Law Firm, we work with independent OB/GYN experts, review detailed medical timelines, and examine every point of care to determine if a provider’s decisions were negligent. We leave no assumption untested, because accountability should never rest on guesswork.

When a healthcare provider crosses the line into malpractice, they must be held responsible, not just for the sake of justice, but to protect future patients from experiencing the same preventable harm. If you’re questioning whether what happened to you was the result of negligence, the time to act is now. Our role is to help you find answers, and if necessary, fight for the compensation and closure you deserve.

How The Baer Law Firm Supports Injured Mothers

At The Baer Law Firm, we know that pregnancy-related injuries are among the most devastating a woman can experience, not only physically, but emotionally and psychologically. These cases demand more than legal knowledge; they require care, patience, and a deep respect for what our clients have endured. That’s why we approach every maternal injury case with the seriousness it deserves, devoting time and resources to uncovering what really happened and why.

From the first consultation, we take a client-first approach. We listen closely to your story, gather the full scope of your medical history, and immediately begin securing the records and documentation needed to build your case. We work closely with respected medical experts in obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, and nursing care to determine whether your provider breached the standard of care and whether that breach caused your injuries. Our investigations are thorough, our litigation strategies are aggressive, and our commitment to every client is unwavering.

Most importantly, we make sure you’re not navigating this alone. The aftermath of a maternal injury can be filled with confusion, grief, and frustration, especially when you trusted your providers to protect you. Whether you’re facing ongoing medical treatment, lost income, or the emotional toll of a traumatic birth experience, The Baer Law Firm stands ready to help you pursue justice and take back control of your future. We don’t just handle the legal process; we support our clients through every step of their recovery.

Your Health Matters, And So Does the Truth

Medical mistakes during pregnancy are not just clinical oversights; they are deeply personal failures that can leave lasting scars. When a trusted provider misses a diagnosis, fails to act on symptoms, or makes a preventable error, the consequences can be devastating for the mother and her entire family. And yet, too often, women are told to accept their injuries as “just one of those things.” At The Baer Law Firm, we know better.

Your experience deserves to be taken seriously. You deserve answers, and if those answers point to negligence, you deserve accountability. That’s what we provide. With every maternal injury case we handle, our goal is the same: uncover the truth, advocate for justice, and help our clients move forward with strength and dignity.

Call The Baer Law Firm Today

If you suffered a serious complication during pregnancy and believe your medical team may have failed you, now is the time to speak with an attorney who understands how to get results in complex maternal injury cases. At The Baer Law Firm, we offer free, confidential consultations and will walk you through your legal options with care and clarity.

Don’t let a preventable medical mistake define your story. Contact The Baer Law Firm today and let us help you take the next step toward justice. Your health, your story, and your future matter, and we’re here to fight for all three.

Bryan Baer

Attorney Bryan Baer has twenty (20) years of legal experience representing clients in serious and catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice cases. He has been first chair in more than a dozen twelve-person jury trials on both the plaintiff and defense sides. Recognized as a leader in his legal community, he is frequently asked to speak at legal seminars on trial topics ranging from “Best Practices in Voire Dire” to “Maximizing Damages at Trial” as well as insurance issues such as “Navigating the Insurance Landscape” and “Injury Demands & Negotiations.” Learn more here.