What Can I Do If I Experience Maternal Birth Injuries?

 Posted on November 30, 2023 in Maternal Injuries

Throughout pregnancy and childbirth, the focus is on the child's well-being and ensuring the mother is healthy and strong. During birth, however, the mother can suffer birth injuries. Amniotic fluid embolism, or AFE, is the leading cause of maternal death. If you suffered a maternal injury, you need a skilled Illinois injury attorney to evaluate your case and offer legal guidance.

What is Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

Certain birth injuries, such as AFE, can pose serious risks to maternal health. It occurs when the fluid surrounding the baby in the placenta winds up in the mother’s bloodstream. This condition is rare, but when it develops, it can lead to severe complications for the mother, making legal help essential in cases of medical negligence during childbirth.

What Are the Medical Risks of AFE?

When amniotic fluid or fetal cells enter the mother’s bloodstream, they can trigger an allergic-like reaction. This can result in blood clotting in the lungs and circulatory system, leading to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and severe hemorrhaging. Cases involving AFE often have life-threatening outcomes, with potential long-term effects on the mother, including brain injuries, organ failure, hysterectomy, and mood disorders such as postpartum depression or PTSD.

What Contributes to AFE?

Certain factors can increase the risk of AFE. Mothers over 35 years old are eight times more likely to experience AFE, and issues with the placenta, like abnormalities or separation, can elevate the risk. Pregnancy-related problems such as high blood pressure or excessive amniotic fluid levels also contribute. Medically induced labor using drugs like pitocin and complications during delivery, like Cesarean sections or the use of forceps or vacuum extractors, can lead to AFE. To address any issues, medical personnel must be vigilant, identifying risk factors and taking preventive measures. Immediate actions, including providing oxygen, administering medications, blood transfusions, and ensuring a safe delivery for the child, are crucial if signs of AFE appear. Families dealing with AFE may face significant long-term impacts, including brain injuries affecting income and ongoing medical care for both mother and child.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Chicago, IL Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can evaluate your case, determine if medical negligence was a factor, and help you receive the financial assistance you need. You should reach out to a Cook County, IL birth injury attorney. Call 312-462-4200 for a free consultation.