When a couple finds out they are pregnant, feelings of joy and elation often follow. The idea of a starting a family and raising a child is something many people wish for their entire lives. If that hope and aspiration gets taken away, it can be devastating. Unfortunately, one woman and her husband and child recently found this out when a doctor made a grave error during a prenatal visit.

During a prenatal examination, doctors discovered a mass of cells that were possibly cancerous. In order to remove the cells and keep her and the baby safe, doctors called for a suction dilation and curettage. This procedure is performed to remove harmful masses or to remove fetal tissues after a miscarriage. Despite being afraid, the woman underwent the surgery her doctor recommended. Sadly, the surgery did not go as it should have.

Two days later, she found herself sitting in a conference room across the table from hospital officials. They explained to her that the surgeon had removed her healthy baby from her womb instead of a mass of harmful cells, resulting in a wrongful infant death.

Since then, the 32-year-old mother and wife has been unable to conceive another child. Because the botched operation was performed at an Air Force base, she is suing the government for $1.7 million for medical malpractice.

Sadly, this woman is likely not alone in her plight. People in Connecticut and elsewhere have fallen victim to medical malpractice that have left them facing serious injuries or emotional trauma. For these individuals, it is important to understand that there are options for holding a negligent doctor or hospital accountable for their terrible mistakes. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help explain the best ways to do this through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Source: Military.com, “Lawsuit: Pregnancy Lost Due to AF Doctor Error,” Elizabeth Simpson, Feb. 18, 2013