Failure to Diagnose Amniotic Fluid Embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but dangerous pregnancy complication that can occur during or shortly after childbirth. At its onset, mothers may experience sudden breathing and heart problems; blood clotting issues; and shock. Failure to diagnose such emergent conditions puts mothers at serious risk for injury. Harmed families may hold negligent healthcare providers liable through a medical malpractice claim.

Envelope Icon

Injured from Delayed AFE Diagnosis?

Reach out to know your legal options. We provide free non-obligatory consultations for affected families.

Contact Us

What is Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

AFE is bloodstream blockage caused by amniotic fluid entry. When said fluid enters the mother's bloodstream, it triggers a strong inflammatory response – causing blood clotting problems and narrowing airways. In the US, AFE occurs in about 8 per 100,000 births.

Most incidents of AFE occur during labor, comprising roughly 70% of recorded cases. About 19% happened during C-sections and about 11% happened after vaginal deliveries. It is important to note that AFE can occur up to 48 hours after delivery, so doctors must closely monitor mothers even after their children are delivered. There have also been rare instances of AFE following birth termination.

Pregnancies with abnormally attached placentas (called placenta accreta) have the strongest risk of contracting this complication. Other linked risk factors for this complication include:[1]

  • Advanced maternal age (mothers 35+ y.o)
  • Having many previous pregnancies
  • Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Maternal hypertension
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies


Doctors must exercise extra care when delivering high risk pregnancies. More importantly, doctors must effectively address every risk factor ahead of time to avoid damages and birth injuries

How is Amniotic Fluid Embolism Diagnosed?

Currently, there is no single test that can confirm AFE. Instead, doctors would rely on several symptoms to rule-out and diagnose amniotic fluid embolism. While being diagnosed, healthcare providers should:[2]

  • Ensure good oxygen levels
  • Use medications to maintain blood pressure
  • Avoid giving too much fluid

Given that most incidents happen during actual pregnancy, doctors must respond promptly and effectively. Immediate diagnosis allows early blood transfusions that could minimize any long-term injuries from arising.

What is the Mortality Rate for AFE?

Early data suggests that the historical maternal mortality rate for this complication is as high as 61%; but recent findings say that this has dropped to 11% to 26% in more developed nations. At the same time, about 30% of infants born through AFE do not survive. [1]

Envelope Icon

Suffering due to AFE Misdiagnosis?

We help families hold negligent doctors liable. Clients do not need to pay anything unless we win.

Contact Us

Potential Complications

Even when AFE is survived by mother or child, either have increased risk of contracting long-term impairments. Babies born through AFE have higher risks of sustaining hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) – bringing forth an array of potential developmental impairments. Surviving mothers, on the other hand, have increased risk for: [1]

  • Kidney failure
  • Heart problems
  • Lung problems
  • Blood clotting issues
  • Liver failure
  • Brain damage
  • Seizures
  • Mental health issues

All medical expenses (past and future) are considered in a medical malpractice claim. In birth injury cases, compensation ensures that an injured child is provided with all the necessary support for their growth and development. Injured mothers must also be allowed to return to their healthiest state.

Apart from medical expenses, other economic and non-economic losses are also factored in. Lost income, emotional trauma, and decreased quality of life are some of the more common considerations. For actual compensation figures, please refer to our previous wins.

Speak to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today

At the Porter Law Group, our team of proven medical malpractice lawyers delivers ideal results. We take pride in helping families rebuild after unfavorable circumstances. We operate on a contingency basis – meaning you do not need to pay us anything unless we win your case. Through this approach, we can better support families during their times of need.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, please reach out to us for a non-obligatory free case evaluation. You can also contact us at 833-PORTER9 or  info@porterlawteam.com to schedule a consultation.

Last Updated on 
October 30, 2024
PLG Personal Injury Logo

Get a Free Consultation

Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation meeting to discuss your case and to gain some peace of mind from having all of your questions answered.
Our mission is simple: to defeat the powerful insurance companies that will stop at nothing to take advantage of our injured clients and their families.

If you or a family member has suffered a catastrophic injury or death due to someone’s negligence, you get only one shot to hire the best law firm for your family—the one with the experience and proven ability to get our clients the justice they deserve. Choose the Porter Law Group.
PLG Logo
Albany Office*
69 State Street
13th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
Buffalo Office*
50 Fountain Plaza
Suite 1400
Buffalo, NY 14202
NYC Office*
1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th floor
New York, NY 10036
Rochester Office*
510 Clinton Square, Rochester, NY 14604
Syracuse Office
100 Madison Street,
15th Floor
Syracuse NY 13202

Avoid sharing confidential information via contact form, text, or voicemail as they are not secure. Please be aware that using any of these communication methods does not establish an attorney-client relationship. *By appointment only.

The information contained on this site is proprietary and protected. Any unauthorized or illegal use, copying, or dissemination will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. All content on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not, nor should it be taken as medical or legal advice. None of the content on this site is intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Attorney Advertising.

We serve clients in every city and county in New York State. These include places like: The Adirondacks, Albany, Alexandria Bay, Amsterdam, Astoria, Auburn, Ballston Spa, Batavia, Beacon, Binghamton, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Canandaigua, Carthage, Cattaraugus, Catskill, Cayuga Lake, Cazenovia, Chelsea, Clayton, Clifton Park, Cobleskill, Colonie, Cooperstown, Corning, Cortland, Delhi, Delmar, Dunkirk, East Aurora, East Hampton, Elmira, Fayetteville, Finger Lakes, Flushing, Fredonia, Fulton, Garden City, Geneva, Glen Cove, Glens Falls, Gloversville, Gouverneur, Great Neck, Greenwich Village, Hamilton, Hammondsport, Harlem, Haverstraw, Hempstead, Herkimer, Hornell, Hudson, Huntington, Ilion, Ithaca, Jamaica, Jamestown, Johnstown, Kingston, Lake George, Lake Placid, Lewiston, Little Falls, Liverpool, Lockport, Long Island City, Lowville, Malone, Manhattan, Manlius, Massena, Medina, Middletown, Monticello, Montauk, Mount Vernon, New Paltz, New Rochelle, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Norwich, Nyack, Ogdensburg, Old Forge, Olean, Oneida, Oneonta, Ossining, Oswego, Penn Yan, Peekskill, Plattsburgh, Port Chester, Potsdam, Poughkeepsie, Queens, Rhinebeck, Riverhead, Rochester, Rome, Rye, Sag Harbor, Saranac Lake, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Seneca Falls, Seneca Lake, Skaneateles, SoHo, Southampton, Spring Valley, Staten Island, Stony Brook, Suffern, Syracuse, Tarrytown, The Bronx, Thousand Islands, Ticonderoga, Troy, Tupper Lake, Utica, Warsaw, Waterloo, Watertown, Watkins Glen, Wellsville, White Plains, Williamsburg, Woodstock, Yonkers, and many more communities throughout New York State.


Copyright © 2025, Porter Law Group. Personal Injury Lawyers
Made with 💛 by Gold Penguin

hello world!
magnifiercross linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram