During pregnancy, in order for the fetus to receive nutrients for normal fetal development, it has a placenta that attaches to the uterine wall. The mother’s nutrients are transferred through the placental wall and the umbilical cord to the fetus until labor and delivery, when the placenta is then delivered with the afterbirth.
With placental abruption, however, the placenta detaches, either partially or completely, from the uterine wall, causing health dangers for both the child and the mother.
It is the role of physicians and OBGYNs to act quickly and in the best interest of the child and mother during a placental abruption. If you or someone you love has experienced a placental abruption and suffered at the hands of a medical professional, it’s important to understand what went wrong during the birth and delivery. Continue reading to learn more about placental abruption birth injury lawsuits or contact the birth injury lawyers at Pope & Howard, P.C. in Atlanta, GA today about your case.
Because the placenta is so crucial for the growth and development of the fetus, any abruption, partial or complete, can cause harm to the fetus and its mother. This condition is rare, affecting only 1-6% of all pregnancies, and can sometimes resolve on its own if the abruption is minor enough. However, any and all abruptions should be taken seriously because of the damage they can cause.
For mild abruptions under 34 weeks of gestation, which occur for 48% of placental abruptions, doctors will typically try to prolong the pregnancy until 34 weeks, to give the fetus time to develop as much as possible, with appropriate medications and bed rest, either at home or in hospital. For placental abruptions close to or at 34 weeks, doctors will often recommend a C-section or labor induction.
For the majority of abruptions, the mother will experience vaginal bleeding, which can cause hemorrhaging due to the detachment of the placenta. It can also cause decreased fetal heart rate, increased maternal heart rate, and increased maternal blood pressure. Because these bodily responses to the abruption can be so severe, it’s recommended that action be taken immediately to prevent the need for a hysterectomy and to help prevent death in both the mother and fetus.
Because placental abruptions constitute emergency care, it’s vital that the doctors and medical professionals take the utmost care and act urgently. If you or a loved one has experienced suffering, pain, or other dire consequences due to a placental abruption that was not adequately handled at the hands of a doctor, contact the birth injury lawyers at Pope & Howard. Our experienced and compassionate legal team, led by founders Geoff Pope and Marc Howard, will help you get just compensation for your case.
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