Maryland Eclampsia & Preeclampsia Lawyer
Pregnancy can be a difficult time for pregnant women. Not only is making a baby exhausting, but it comes with risks involved. One of them is preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can affect the health of both the mother and baby. In fact, it is a leading cause of illness and death for the mother and infant. When a pregnant woman has preeclampsia, the doctor needs to act quickly. The Maryland eclampsia lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman may be able to help you hold medical staff responsible if they acted in a negligent manner.
Preeclampsia refers to high blood pressure, or pregnancy-induced hypertension. Preeclampsia is defined by a blood pressure reading above 140/90 and excess protein in the urine once a woman has reached 20 weeks of pregnancy. Excess protein in the urine means that you have kidney problems. While preeclampsia usually causes only small increases in blood pressure, it can get worse and cause serious complications. You and your baby face a higher risk when it occurs earlier in the pregnancy.
Preeclampsia Complications
Preeclampsia can cause complications to the baby and mother, such as:
- Lack of blood flow to the placenta
- Placental abruption
- HELLP syndrome, which stands for hemolysis (the destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count
Eclampsia
When preeclampsia is not controlled, it can develop into eclampsia, which is essentially preeclampsia with seizures. This can cause permanent damage to the mother’s brain, liver, and kidneys. If not treated, it can cause brain damage, coma, and death for both mother and baby.
While the exact cause of eclampsia is unknown, there are several factors that can play a role, including neurological factors, blood vessel problems, genes, and diet.
Treating Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia, unlike non-pregnancy-related hypertension, cannot be treated with medication and reduced stress. The only cure for preeclampsia is delivering the baby because your baby is causing your blood pressure to become elevated.
You face a high risk of seizures, bleeding, and placental abruption until your blood pressure decreases. However, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, delivery may not be ideal. Constant bed rest can help lower your blood pressure and increase blood flow to your placenta. This means lying in bed and only sitting and standing when necessary. This will give your baby time to mature until it is safe to deliver. Your doctor will regularly check your blood pressure, urine protein levels, and the health of your baby.
Contact Us Today
High blood pressure during pregnancy is a serious issue. If not controlled, it can lead to serious complications for the mother and baby. In severe cases, it can even lead to death.
Doctors need to act quickly in cases of preeclampsia and eclampsia. If your doctor was negligent, seek legal help from the personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman. We’ll help you obtain compensation for your and your baby’s injuries. Schedule a consultation by calling 410-998-3600 today.
