Stamford doctor Corinne de Cholnoky, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, is being sued for allegedly causing the death of a fetus in 2011. Jury selection in Bridgeport Superior Court was scheduled to begin Thursday.
The parents, Melanie and Floyd Foster, filed the wrongful death and malpractice lawsuit, alleging the doctor caused the death by rupturing Melanie Foster's fetal membrane while trying to remove an intrauterine birth control device (IUD). The fetus was born alive 22 weeks into the pregnancy, but died less than two hours later. The birth and death came 10 days after the IUD procedure.
The Fosters say de Cholnoky also was negligent by not making sure Melanie Foster wasn't pregnant before trying to remove the device.
The case has sparked a debate on if the foetus could be considered a baby since it was born before the age of viability (24weeks) and was not developed enough to survive outside the womb.
Still, the parents could argue that, if the doctor had not removed the IUD, the pregnancy would have progressed beyond 22 weeks.
The case could swing either way.
With this case, I plan never to forget to carry out a pregnancy test on my female patients to avoid a lawsuit. Phew!
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