Baltimore Eclampsia & Preeclampsia Lawyer
Preeclampsia is a condition that develops during pregnancy. When it is left untreated or undiagnosed, preeclampsia can develop into a much more serious condition, known as eclampsia. Both preeclampsia and eclampsia are very serious conditions. If you developed either of these conditions during pregnancy and your doctor failed to detect or treat it, you should speak to a Baltimore eclampsia and preeclampsia lawyer that can help you claim financial compensation for your losses.
What are Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?
A woman suffers from preeclampsia when she has sustained periods of increased blood pressure with readings usually higher than 140/90 mm Hg. When a woman develops preeclampsia, she may also have high protein levels in her urine because the condition causes the blood vessels to seep into other areas of the body, such as the bladder. Preeclampsia can cause a woman to experience many different symptoms, but the most common is edema, or swelling in the legs, feet, and hands.
Eclampsia is a very serious condition that can even be fatal for some women. Even when a woman survives the condition, they may experience seizures, convulsions, and coma. There is no known cause of preeclampsia or eclampsia, and the other cure is safely delivering the child. Still, doctors should take the necessary steps to treat the conditions so women do not suffer harm. When they fail to do this, they can be held liable for medical negligence.
Treatment for Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
A doctor should provide treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia depending on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy and the seriousness of the condition. Treatment for mild cases of preeclampsia includes:
- Regular urine and blood tests
- Bed rest, either in the hospital or at home
- Antihypertensive medications
- Regular fetal monitoring, prenatal visits, and ultrasounds
- A reduced salt, or no salt, diet
When the condition has become more severe, a doctor should provide treatment that is more aggressive. Options for this treatment are as follows:
- Magnesium injections to reduce the number of seizures related to eclampsia
- Anti-seizure medications
- Hospitalization
- The immediate delivery of the child, even if the woman is not close to term, although this is reserved for only the most serious of cases
When a doctor does not provide the necessary treatment, it can result in harm not only to the woman, but also her unborn child. Low birth weight is the most common result of untreated preeclampsia and eclampsia but a child may also suffer from epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and developmental disabilities. Any time a doctor does not provide the necessary treatment and a woman or child suffers as a result, they can be held liable for medical malpractice.
Our Eclampsia and Preeclampsia Lawyer in Baltimore Can Advise on Your Case
At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our Baltimore eclampsia and preeclampsia lawyer can help you claim any damages you need to recover your losses after developing either of these conditions. Call us today at 410-998-3600 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to obtain the sound legal advice you need.
