According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major complications during pregnancy account for roughly 75% of all maternal deaths — many of which can be prevented. Medical professionals have a legal duty of care when it comes to their patients, and when a certain standard of skill and care is not met, the result could be more compilations or worse — death.
When it comes to pregnancy and maternal care, the following are the top reasons women die before, during, or after childbirth.
An obstetric emergency can not only be life-threatening to the mother, but it can also put the baby in jeopardy. Obstetric emergencies can arise during pregnancy, labor, or birth. When a pregnant mother has any of the following problems, it’s critical to get medical care immediately. Some of the top obstetric emergencies include:
Sepsis or septic shock happens when the body has an extreme response when working to combat an infection. The following maternal infections can trigger sepsis:
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are both conditions related to high blood pressure during pregnancy. Without immediate and proper treatment, maternal death can occur, as well as complications for the baby. Here are the differences between the two:
Though the causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia are still unknown, risk factors such as lack of blood flow to the placenta, hormonal imbalances, and genetic conditions could play a role in developing these maternal conditions.
A common, yet preventable, cause of maternal death is obstructed labor. One of the top reasons for obstructed labor is cephalopelvic disproportion. This complication can happen when:
Cephalopelvic disproportion may not be easy for doctors to diagnose. However, when doctors take proper measurements of the baby in utero and the mother’s pelvis, they could determine early enough if there is a particular risk of the baby being too big to pass through the birth canal. Early detection can give doctors time to schedule a C-section to avoid complications for the mother and baby.
Any delayed or missed diagnosis of a maternal condition can lead to the harm of the mother and the baby. Not only can a missed or delayed diagnosis result in the worsening of a health condition or disease, but the long-term impact on the mother and baby can result in devastating consequences. There are specific protocols and diagnostic testing procedures that doctors must use to detect possible complications.
When doctors or other medical professionals fail to conduct the proper tests at each trimester stage, medical malpractice can be considered. Some of the most common tests in the determination of pregnancy complications are:
If your doctor’s failure to diagnose a complication caused a birth injury or preventable maternal complication that leads to long-term medical problems, it’s critical to contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer for help recovering compensation.
Since many factors can complicate a woman’s pregnancy and lead to death, it’s critical for women to stay informed and take charge of their health during every stage of pregnancy. It’s also essential to have good, open communication with your doctor.
Communicating effectively with your doctor can ensure you receive the best care possible and avoid any complications, should a medical problem be detected. Here are some tips on how mothers can take charge of their health:
Maternal complications can also be the catalyst to birth injuries or fetal death. Some of the most common birth injuries that can be associated with maternal conditions are:
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report the following statistics related to maternal death cases:
There’s nothing more devastating than the death of a loved one during their pregnancy or after giving birth. At The Beasley Firm, LLC, we make it our mission to help those who were harmed due to medical professionals’ negligence and help them recover the compensation they deserve.
Our firm has successfully litigated maternal death and birth injury cases in Pennsylvania since 1958. We have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for mothers and their families who have suffered otherwise preventable harm.
The Beasley Firm secured two of the top medical negligence verdicts in Pennsylvania’s history, with recoveries of $100 million and $55 million. When you need a medical malpractice attorney on your side, we are here for you. We will fight for your rights as no other firm will.
Contact The Beasley Firm, LLC to schedule a free consultation with our team today.
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