Preeclampsia, Placental Abruption and Birth Injuries
It is estimated that every 1 in 100 births is affected by preeclampsia and placental abruption. These conditions can not only cause harm to the baby, but to the mother as well. Often times these birth injuries can have an impact on the child for the rest of their life.
Preeclampsia occurs when an expectant mother develops high blood pressure, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and this complication of pregnancy can also affect other organs such as the liver and kidneys. The earlier in the pregnancy that preeclampsia occurs, the greater the risk it creates for both mother and baby. One of the biggest signs that an expectant mother may have preeclampsia is if her blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. Preeclampsia can also cause organ damage and a drop in blood platelets. In addition to checking blood pressure, diagnosis of preeclampsia can include blood work (to check for low platelets or thrombocytopenia), and urinalysis (to check for an elevated level of protein in urine, or proteinuria).
The developing baby, too, is at risk from preeclampsia, with its complications including reduction of blood flow to the placenta, which can restrict the baby’s growth (fetal growth restriction) or separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (placental abruption) which can cause life-threatening bleeding to both mother and baby, and loss of oxygen to the baby. If there are any signs of a placental abruption an immediate delivery, usually by caesarian (c-section), may be required. Failure to promptly deliver the baby can result in permanent brain damage due to loss of oxygen (hypoxic brain injury).
If your child suffered a brain injury at birth, contact The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (800-403-7259). The birth injury attorneys at The Yost Legal Group are experienced and caring professionals ready to investigate your claim with compassion and determination. Call us today to receive a free, confidential consultation about your possible case.
We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.