Pregnancy Complications that may Lead to Birth Injuries

There are many potential complications that can arise during pregnancy that can negatively affect both the mother and the baby.  Many of these complications can and should be detected early with the proper medical care. Unfortunately, medical negligence can result in a misdiagnosis or cause doctors to overlook these conditions altogether, putting the mother and the baby at risk. Some common prenatal conditions and complications include:

• Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PPROM) – PPROM occurs when the amniotic sac (the membrane surrounding the baby in the womb) breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy which increases the risk of infection and premature labor.[i]
• Polyhydramnios – Polyhydramnios occurs when amniotic fluid excessively accumulates in the amniotic sac.[ii] If detected early, polyhydramnios can be monitored. However, undetected or severe polyhydramnios can cause severe complications like premature birth, PPROM and placental abruption.[iii]
• Oligohydramnios – Oligohydramnios occurs when there is not enough amniotic fluid around a baby during pregnancy.[iv] Because babies need amniotic fluid to develop in the womb, if this condition is not caught and treated early, the baby’s lungs may not develop completely, if at all.[v] Untreated oligohydramnios can also prevent the baby from developing fully. [vi]
• Preeclampsia – Preeclampsia results from high blood pressure during pregnancy or following delivery.[vii] Preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia where the blood pressure increases even more, causing seizures.[viii] Early diagnosis, treatment and monitoring will help avoid more complications.[ix]
• Chorioamnionitis – Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the membrane and amniotic fluid surrounding a baby.[x] Bacteria infiltrates the uterus and eventually moves into the membranes surrounding the baby, risking infection of the mother and the baby.[xi] Chorioamnionitis can be caused by ruptured fetal membranes that go undetected for too long and can lead to premature labor.[xii]
• Cord Prolapse – Cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord drops through an open cervix, and through the vagina before the baby which then cuts off the baby’s source of oxygen.[xiii] Cord prolapse is an emergency and action must be taken immediately to prevent injury or death to the baby.[xiv]
• Gestational Diabetes – Gestational diabetes occurs when diabetes is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy.[xv] If the condition is detected early, doctors can help expecting mothers control their diabetes to avoid harm to the baby.[xvi] If the condition goes untreated, gestational diabetes can affect the baby’s health and potentially even cause stillbirth.[xvii]

If you or your baby have suffered from one of these complications of pregnancy due to poor medical care, please contact Michael P. Bonner, Esq. at mbonner@bonner-law.com or call us at 305-676-8800 for a free consultation.  Mr. Bonner is an attorney with thirty years of experience handling medical malpractice claims for both patients and healthcare providers.

‍[i]https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=premature-rupture-of-membranes-prompreterm-premature-rupture-of-membranes-pprom-90-P02496

‍[ii] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polyhydramnios/symptoms-causes/syc-20368493

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‍[iv] https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/o/oligohydramnios.html#:~:text=What%20is%20oligohydramnios%3F,the%20amniotic%20sac%20(membrane).

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‍[vii] https://www.healthline.com/health/preeclampsia#causes

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‍[x] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12309-chorioamnionitis

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‍[xiii] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12345-umbilical-cord-prolapse

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‍[xv] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339

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