Contraception failure and wrongful birth claims.

Case histories are based on actual medical negligence claims, however, certain facts have been omitted or changed by the author to ensure the anonymity of the parties involved. Medical negligence claims involving an allegation or 'wrongful birth' can arise from a negligent failure of contraception. In these wrongful birth claims, the patient sues the medical practitioner who failed to prevent her conception and subsequent pregnancy. This article outlines some risk management strategies for general practitioners to minimise the possibility of a claim arising from a failure of contraception involving the use of the long acting contraceptive implant, Implanon.