Maternal Injuries and Death During Childbirth
Giving birth to a baby is often an exciting time, especially for first-time parents. While the United States is a modern first-world country, childbirth can still be dangerous. In 2023, about 260,000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth. While the risk is much higher in low-income and third world countries, any expectant mother can suffer serious medical conditions.
Women may die from various complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and fortunately, most are treatable. The major complications that account for around 75% of all maternal deaths are:
- Severe bleeding.
- Infection.
- Complications from delivery.
- High blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Unsafe abortions.
Who is Liable?
In some cases, pregnant women may be to blame because they do not get proper prenatal care for their unborn baby. However, there are cases in which medical professionals are responsible for causing complications. This medical negligence can present itself in the form of:
- Failure to diagnose or treat preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and gestational diabetes are serious conditions. If a doctor doesn’t diagnose them early, they can lead to seizures, strokes, organ failure, or death.
- Delaying an emergency C-section. Sometimes, a baby’s heart rate shows signs of distress, or labor isn’t progressing normally. If the medical team waits too long to perform a C-section, it can result in brain damage to the baby or life-threatening injuries to the mother (like uterine rupture or massive bleeding).
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors. These tools can help during difficult deliveries, but if used incorrectly, they can cause severe tears, internal bleeding, or brain injuries — both for the mother and the baby.
- Medication errors. Giving the wrong medication or dosage during labor — for example, incorrect use of Pitocin (to induce labor) — can lead to dangerously strong contractions, causing uterine rupture or oxygen deprivation for the baby.
- Failure to control postpartum hemorrhage. After birth, heavy bleeding (postpartum hemorrhage) is a known risk. If the medical team doesn’t quickly recognize and treat it, a mother can go into shock, suffer organ damage, or die.
- Ignoring signs of infection. After childbirth, infections (like sepsis) can develop. If symptoms like fever, pain, or abnormal discharge are ignored, an infection can spread rapidly and become fatal.
- Anesthesia mistakes. Errors during the administration of epidurals or spinal anesthesia (common during labor) can cause dangerously low blood pressure, breathing problems, or even cardiac arrest.
Contact Us Today
Labor and delivery can affect not only the child, but the mother as well. Negligence can cause an expectant mother to develop serious medical conditions or even die.
If you have been affected, get the help you need from a Mount Juliet birth injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC. We are committed to holding medical professionals accountable and seeking the compensation your family deserves. Fill out the online form or call (615) 622-6060 to schedule a consultation.
Source:
who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality#:~:text=The%20major%20complications%20that%20account%20for%20around,*%20complications%20from%20delivery.%20*%20unsafe%20abortion.
