Pregnancy and childbirth are meant to be times of anticipation and excitement, but they can also be times of worry and fear. Childbirth is a delicate process, and even the tiniest of complications […]
Before becoming pregnant, most mothers-to-be have a good idea of what they can expect throughout pregnancy and childbirth: changes to their bodies, many doctor’s appointments, and potential complications. Although most women are fully aware of the possible risks that come with pregnancy and childbirth, very few actually expect to have to experience them.
One complication that could potentially occur during the delivery process is uterine rupture. This rare but extremely serious event can lead to injuries and death. It can occur in any woman who is pregnant, but women who meet certain criteria are at a considerably greater risk of a rupture.
Whether you or a family member have endured a uterine rupture, or you are simply trying to educate yourself about possible complications associated with labor and delivery, it is useful to understand what a ruptured uterus is as well as the legal and medical repercussions.
The womb, also referred to as the uterus, is an essential part of the female reproductive system. The uterus is where the mother's fetus will grow and develop throughout her pregnancy. A uterine rupture takes place when the wall of her uterus rips open. This could be caused by the pressure exerted by the developing baby during gestation or childbirth and is especially common in mothers who have had prior C-sections.
A uterus is meant to be a healthy and strong place for an unborn baby to develop and grow. It is designed to expand and stretch to accommodate the baby as it grows. Unfortunately, in some instances, uterine tissues can weaken due to the degree of strain placed on them, leaving the uterus susceptible to rupture.
When a uterus ruptures, the walls tear open. This can happen late in the pregnancy or at any time during labor and delivery. A uterine rupture is a stressful and frightening situation for any expecting mother.
During the early part of pregnancy, the symptoms of a uterine rupture can be very challenging to distinguish from “normal” symptoms experienced by mothers during late-stage pregnancy and labor. In many cases, however, the symptoms of uterine rupture quickly become extremely severe.
Common signs of uterine rupture are:
Your doctor should be able to identify the signs of a ruptured uterus and take immediate action.
Although there are multiple risk factors, those most likely to experience uterine rupture are women who have had prior C-sections. A cesarean section is when a woman’s uterus is cut open to allow her doctors to extract the baby. If a woman has additional children after delivering one via C-section, the uterus can rip open along the site of the original incision. The leading risk factors for uterine rupture are:
If you are at risk for uterine rupture, your doctor is obligated to notify you and take every necessary precaution to prevent a rupture from occurring.
If a pregnant woman experiences a uterine rupture, obstetricians will usually order an emergency C-section, which allows them to remove the infant quickly and hopefully avoid additional complications. If the rupture is serious, the fetus could slip into the mother’s abdomen. In this scenario, the child could suffocate and the mother will most likely bleed excessively, putting her at risk of death as well.
No, a uterine rupture is not always preventable. However, your obstetrician should be capable of predicting the probability of a rupture by carefully examining your medical history and taking necessary precautions to avoid it, such as closely monitoring you throughout your pregnancy and recommending a vaginal or C-section birth, depending on whether there have been any previous pregnancies.
Uterine ruptures are rarely fatal with death occurring in only the most severe cases, but it does happen. The mother could potentially die from extreme and rapid blood loss since a uterine rupture causes heavy bleeding. Infants are at risk of being deprived of oxygen. Roughly 6% of babies die due to uterine rupture while others endure the permanent repercussions of oxygen deprivation, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy.
Whether or not you are eligible to bring a lawsuit for uterine rupture typically hinges on the cause and foreseeability of the rupture.
There are numerous circumstances under which your doctor could be held liable, such as:
If the action or inaction of a healthcare provider was the cause of your uterine rupture, you could be entitled to bring a claim of medical malpractice against the liable party.
Every case is unique, but damages commonly available for a uterine rupture are:
Accurately calculating damages is difficult, and unique to each case. To ensure that you receive the settlement you deserve, reach out to an experienced Dallas birth injury attorney with the details of your case.
If you or a member of your family endured a uterine rupture during childbirth or pregnancy, you could have a valid medical malpractice claim. A skilled birth injury attorney can oversee every part of your injury claim, including:
Birth injury lawsuits are time-consuming and stressful. A knowledgeable birth injury attorney can protect your right to fair compensation and justice. Speak with a Dallas birth injury attorney at Rasansky Law Firm by calling (214) 651-6100 and scheduling your free consultation.
Note: The information that was utilized in this post was gathered from the use of secondary sources. This information used has not been confirmed or independently verified. If you locate any information that is not correct, please contact our firm as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate corrections. If you find any information that is false, we will remove or correct the post immediately after it is brought to our attention.
Disclaimer: As a valued member of the Dallas community, Rasansky Law Firm’s goal is to improve the safety of all residents in the great state of Texas. These posts should not be viewed as a solicitation for business and the information included herein should not be taken as medical or legal advice. The photos used in this post are not representative of the actual crash scene.
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