Can a Mother Suffer Birth Injuries?

Injuries Suffered During Labor & Delivery

Contrary to popular belief, birth injuries do not only affect babies. Both the mother and the child are at risk of injury during the labor and delivery process. Below, our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys discuss the birth injuries that mothers may experience.

Birth Injuries to the Mother

Birth injuries to the mother can be physical or mental. When the attending physician inflicts harm onto the mother during the labor and delivery process, she may be left with a physical scar that lasts the remainder of her life.

Additionally, the stressful experience of childbirth can be exacerbated by poor communication or intimidation on the part of the attending physician.

Examples of physical injuries that birthing mothers may experience include:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Broken bones or bruising
• C-section performed incorrectly
• Uterine rupture
• Infection
• Preeclampsia or eclampsia
• Vaginal tears or lacerations
• Wrongful death of the mother

A common mental or psychological injury that birthing mothers may experience includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This may happen when the mother feels pressured to undergo procedures during the birthing process that she does not want.

There have been recent instances in which birthing women were forced to undergo episiotomies even after vocal protests. For example, a California woman received an undisclosed settlement after suing her obstetrician for performing an episiotomy despite her vocal protests, which were documented on video.

Such traumatic experiences can impart long-term harm on the mother. This can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills for rehabilitative treatment after the birth—all for an injury that should not have happened in the first place.

Suffered an Injury During Your Labor and Delivery? Contact Us Today

If you were injured during your labor and delivery, you have the right to seek justice. These errors can leave you with permanent physical and emotional scars, and you shouldn’t have to deal with them in silence.

Contact The Beasley Firm, LLC today to schedule a free consultation with our team.