[Incidents connected to pregnancy and labor]

In the period 1993-2000 the Norwegian Board of Health investigated 70 cases of claimed professional misconduct in relation to pregnancy or delivery. There were two maternal deaths, 38 perinatal deaths and 17 cases of cerebral damage. The Board of Health found reason to criticize midwives in 11 cases, obstetricians in 39 cases, and the hospital for lack of routines in 18 cases. Many of the mishaps were connected to false interpretation of fetal signs of distress (clinical signs or cardiotocography), and the investigation concluded that Caesarean section was delayed too long. The number of patient complaints has been constant through the period, in contrast to the widespread belief that misconduct and complaints are steadily increasing. The health authorities and the Norwegian Association of Gynaecologists have focused on quality and standards in obstetrics through committees for investigation of perinatal deaths, national guidelines in obstetrics, and improved national statistics.