What Is Preeclampsia, and How Can it Lead to Birth Injuries?

 Posted on December 11, 2020 in Birth Injury

There are many different health concerns that can affect a mother and her child during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. High blood pressure experienced by a pregnant mother, which is known as preeclampsia, is one serious condition that can lead to birth injuries. This complication will usually occur after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and a mother may also experience this condition immediately after giving birth. Preeclampsia should be recognized and addressed promptly by medical professionals to protect the health of both the child and the mother.

Complications Related to Preeclampsia

While the causes of preeclampsia are not fully understood, it may occur when the blood vessels in the placenta do not develop properly, restricting blood flow to the fetus. Genetic factors, nutritional issues, and body fat may also play a role in a mother’s high blood pressure. Symptoms of preeclampsia include headaches, vision problems, abnormal swelling in a mother’s hands or face, and pain in the upper abdomen. Tests that can be performed to diagnose preeclampsia include measurement of protein levels in a mother’s urine and blood tests to measure platelet levels or look for the presence of chemicals that indicate impairment of kidney or liver functions.

Preeclampsia can lead to multiple types of complications that affect the mother and her child, including:

• Fetal growth restriction - Restrictions to the flow of blood to the placenta can result in a child not receiving adequate nutrition and oxygen. This can cause a child to grow and develop more slowly, leading to a low birth weight, which may increase the risks of injury during delivery.

• Placental abruption - This condition involves the detachment of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. This can restrict the flow of blood and oxygen to the child, and it can cause severe hemorrhaging of blood, which can lead to maternal death.

• Seizures - If high blood pressure is not treated properly, a mother may experience convulsions that interrupt her brain activity and restrict blood flow to the fetus.

• Stroke - High blood pressure or problems with blood clotting may restrict the flow of oxygen to a mother’s brain, and this can lead to permanent brain damage.

• Organ failure - Problems with blood pressure can lead to damage to the liver, kidneys, heart, or lungs. Complete failure of these organs can threaten a mother’s life.

Because preeclampsia can present a major risk to the health of both the mother and the child, it may be necessary to deliver the child immediately. In many cases, a Cesarean delivery will be performed, and medical interventions may be needed to protect the health of a child following preterm birth.

Contact Our Cook County Preeclampsia Injury Attorneys

If preeclampsia is not diagnosed correctly, or if the proper treatment is not provided in time, both a mother and her child can experience serious injuries. In these cases, families may struggle to pay for the necessary medical treatment and address the ongoing costs related to caring for the mother and the child. The Birth Injury Law Alliance can provide legal help in these cases, and we will work with you to determine your best options for receiving financial assistance. We can determine whether your birth injury occurred because of medical negligence, and we will ensure that you receive financial compensation for your damages. Call our Illinois birth injury lawyers today at 312-462-4200 to arrange a free consultation and learn how we can help with your case.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355745

https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/preeclampsia.aspx