Pope & Howard, PC

Premature Birth

A full-term pregnancy lasts approximately forty weeks. A premature birth is one which occurs three weeks or more before the forty weeks, and can pose significant medical risks to the baby.

Premature labor is the first indication that a baby may be born prematurely. Also known as preterm labor, premature labor occurs when you start having contractions and true labor after your 20th week of pregnancy and more than three weeks before you expect to delivery.

While the cause of a premature birth is often unknown, the medical staff should try to prolong the pregnancy until the baby is at term or at least close to term. If the physician or medical staff fails to make this effort, the physician or staff may be held liable. Many complications can arise when a baby is born prematurely, including:

  • Low birth weight
  • Respiratory distress syndrome
  • Digestive problems
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Bleeding and fluid on the brain
  • Increased risk of heart disease later in life
  • Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes later in life

Although it is difficult to prove that a premature birth is the result of medical negligence, the birth injury attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C. have the knowledge and experience to investigate your case. We complete a comprehensive analysis of all medical records and past consultations with physicians to determine if the medical staff did indeed fail to identify and treat premature labor. Rest assured that if we find that you have a case, we know how to fight for the compensation you and your child deserve.