Maryland Placenta Birth Injury Lawyer
Pregnancy is usually a happy time for parents, but it is not without risk. There are medical issues that can threaten that outcome, such as placental abruption and placenta previa. These conditions are serious and require immediate medical treatment, as the baby relies on a healthy placenta in order to receive nutrients and grow at a proper rate.
These placenta conditions can be considered medical malpractice if the doctor fails to diagnose or monitor them and take proper action. Contact the Maryland placenta birth injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman to learn more about your legal options.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption is a pregnancy complication that occurs when the placenta partially or completely detaches from the uterine wall. This issue requires immediate medical attention, as the placenta feeds and nourishes the unborn baby. When there are issues with the placenta, the baby could become malnourished and even die.
Placental abruption can be caused by preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension), smoking, and trauma to the abdomen. Maternal age (pregnant women under age 20 or over age 35) and multiple fetuses (twins, triplets, etc.) are risk factors, as well as drug and tobacco use. Symptoms of placental abruption include vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, a tender uterus, and an abnormal fetal heart rate. Treatment depends on the severity of the situation as well as how far along the pregnant mother is. Without prompt medical attention, a baby could suffer severe brain injuries, including cerebral palsy.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is another complication of pregnancy that can be very dangerous to the baby and the mother. It occurs when the placenta implants close to the internal cervical os, which is the opening at the bottom of the uterus. It leads into the cervix, which leads into the vagina. When the cervix dilates, the placenta may tear, causing severe bleeding.
Placenta previa typically occurs later in pregnancy, during the second and third trimesters. There are two main types. Total placenta previa occurs when the internal cervical os is completely covered by the placenta, while partial placenta previa occurs when the internal os is just partially covered.
Because blood flow to the baby is disrupted and there is a risk of bleeding in the uterus, placenta previa can be very dangerous to the mother and baby. Both the mother and baby should be carefully monitored by medical providers to avoid potentially fatal complications.
Contact Us Today
While not all placenta problems are caused by negligent doctors, their actions (or lack thereof) can make problems worse. As a result, the baby or the mother can suffer serious or even fatal complications if doctors fail to do their part and consistently monitor both the mother and baby.
Were your placenta injuries caused by a negligent doctor? If so, contact the placenta birth injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman. We’ll help you through the claims process. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 410-998-3600.
