Medico-legal problems in obstetrics

Obstetric litigation has become a major issue in the practice and funding of obstetric care. Although litigation has led to some improvement in the quality of maternity services, it has also led to the complete breakdown in the provision of care where the costs of insurance for the practitioner have made obstetric practice uneconomic. Cerebral palsy and birth-related injuries are the major source of indemnity problems because of the high cost of settlements. In some countries, the impact on recruitment of staff and trainees has been profound. Shoulder dystocia and injuries to the brachial plexus are also a common source of litigation.