Maternal Injuries During Childbirth

Addressing Serious and Fatal Birth Injuries to Mothers - Illinois Medical Negligence Lawyer

During pregnancy and birth, medical personnel place a great deal of emphasis on protecting the health of the child. While this makes sense, since newborn infants are very vulnerable to injury or illness, it is also important to ensure that the mother is able to deliver the child safely. Unfortunately, pregnant women often do not receive the level of care needed to prevent injuries and address issues that may affect their health and well-being. As a result, mothers can experience serious or even fatal injuries before, during, or after birth.

Maternal Injuries During Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery

Due to the changes a woman's body experiences during pregnancy and the physical difficulty of delivering a child, there are a wide variety of injuries that can occur. These include:

• Amniotic fluid embolism - If material from inside the uterus, including amniotic fluid or fetal cells, enters the bloodstream of the mother, this can cause a serious reaction that may lead to blood clotting, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and death.
• Infection/sepsis - An infectious disease contracted during pregnancy can cause serious harm to both the mother and the child, especially if the infection spreads throughout the bloodstream and leads to sepsis. If a mother has a latent infection, such as HIV or hepatitis, this can lead to complications during pregnancy, and steps should be taken to prevent the transmission of these infections to the child.
• Miscarriage - Early loss of pregnancy can occur for a variety of reasons, including issues with the placenta or uterus, trauma experienced by the mother, genetic abnormalities, or certain types of medications.
• Preeclampsia - High blood pressure experienced during pregnancy or after birth can be incredibly dangerous for both a mother and child. If not addressed properly, this condition can lead to seizures, stroke, organ failure, and heart disease.
• Post-partum hemorrhage - A mother may experience severe blood loss during or after delivery, and if this is not addressed, it can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, organ failure, and brain damage.
• Uterine rupture - An opening in the uterus during labor and delivery can endanger the life of the infant and result in serious harm to the mother, including hemorrhaging, infections, and damage to other organs. While a scar from a previous Cesarean delivery may tear, uterine ruptures can also occur if a mother has not previously been pregnant or had a C-section.
• Vaginal lacerations - Tearing of vaginal tissue may occur because of a large child, prolonged labor, or use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery. These lacerations can lead to hemorrhaging, infections, chronic pain, and long-term complications.
• Maternal death - Many of the complications that may occur during pregnancy or birth can result in the death of the mother if they are not addressed quickly and effectively.

During a mother's pregnancy and following the birth of her child, doctors, nurses, or other medical staff are likely to be focused on ensuring that the child is safe and healthy. However, the proper care should also be taken to address any conditions that threaten the mother's health, and she should be made aware of any concerns or complications that may arise and the best methods of treatment.

Maternal birth injuries can be just as devastating as those experienced by a child, and they can have a significant impact on a mother's long-term health and well-being. In some cases, these injuries can result in long-term disabilities or even death. The Birth Injury Law Alliance understands that the financial effects of maternal injuries can be devastating for a family, and we are dedicated to providing assistance in these types of cases. We offer free case evaluations, and we can work with you to determine your best options for receiving financial help, including addressing any medical negligence that may have occurred. To learn more, please contact us at 312-462-4200.