Placental Abruption: Seeking Justice for Birth Injuries

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 could have life-changing repercussions for both the mother and her child. One of the most serious complications that can arise is placental abruption. Although placental abruption is not very common, it can have grave consequences if it is not addressed promptly and properly. The longer medical attention is delayed, the longer the baby is being deprived of nutrients and oxygen, which can lead to severe health problems and even stillbirth. For families impacted by placental abruption, knowing the legal implications is crucial.

If the abruption was caused by medical negligence, you may have a few options in terms of pursuing financial compensation. Consulting with an experienced Dallas birth injury attorney is the best way to determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit. 

What is Placental Abruption?

Placental abruption is a severe and possibly life-threatening complication that arises in some pregnancies. An abruption takes place when the placenta separates completely or partly from the uterine wall before the baby is born. It is made of blood vessels and tissues that connect the fetus to the mother so that oxygen and nutrients can be passed to the growing embryo. It also removes waste products from the blood.  

In cases where the placenta separates (abrupts) from the wall of the mother’s uterus, it is no longer able to supply the infant with the things it needs to survive. This can lead to multiple emotional and physical consequences for the mother and the child, including preterm labor, and oxygen and nutrient deprivation for the infant. As the placenta separates from the uterus, it can also result in heavy bleeding, putting the new mother at risk of catastrophic blood loss that could lead to shock or even death. The more the placenta separates from the uterus, the heavier the bleeding and the greater the chance of serious complications.

Although placental abruption is not common, it is a serious problem that must be addressed immediately. It typically takes place in the third trimester of pregnancy and is more likely to occur in women who have high blood pressure, have had more than one pregnancy, or have a history of placental abruption.

What Are the Symptoms of Placental Abruption?

Placental abruption can be difficult to diagnose, often because its symptoms are not noticeable right away. This can result in delayed medical treatment, endangering both mother and baby. It is important to be able to identify the symptoms related to placental abruption so immediate medical care can be sought.

Common placental abruption symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the abdomen
• Abnormal spotting or vaginal bleeding
• Uterine contractions or tenderness
• Back pain
• Fetal distress (requires an ultrasound to detect)
• Diminished fetal movement
• Increased heart rate in mother or fetus

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is imperative that you seek medical attention right away. Even if your symptoms seem mild, they could indicate placental abruption.

What Causes Placental Abruption?

The specific cause of this condition is not known, but there are some maternal risk factors that can increase the odds of placental abruption occurring, such as:

• Hypertension (both gestational and pre-existing)
• Smoking
• Substance abuse
• History of placental abruption
• Multiple pregnancies 
• Trauma to the uterus
• Maternal age over 35
• Low fetal birthweight 
• Protracted labor
• Uterine infection
• Preterm amniotic sac rupture (water breaking early)

In some instances, placental abruption can be caused by medical negligence. If an obstetrician or other healthcare professional fails to properly monitor the baby and mother properly during the labor and delivery, they could easily overlook signs indicating that placental abruption has occurred and fail to respond. This could result in serious complications for both baby and mother, such as premature birth, fetal distress, and death.

Risk Association and Complications 

Placental abruption could have serious ramifications including both long and short-term effects on the mother and her baby. Depending on the severity of that abruption maternal complications will vary but some of the most common are: 

• Heavy bleeding leading to shock or anemia
• Retained placenta (tissue left behind in the uterus)
• Uterine rupture
• Uterine infection
• Organ damage
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Preeclampsia
• Preterm labor

An abruption could also result in serious injuries to the newborn, varying from minor to life-threatening, such as: 

• Fetal distress
• Birth injuries
• Brain defects
• Low birth weight 
• Premature birth 
• Broken bones
• Erb’s palsy 
• Cerebral palsy 
• Stillbirth 

It is vital to know the signs of abruption and get immediate medical help if they present. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to decreasing the dangers related to placental abruption and ensuring the health and well-being of mother and baby.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Placental Abruption Due to Medical Malpractice?

Placental abruption is seldom the result of medical malpractice but there are some instances where it might be considered. For example, if a medical professional fails to diagnose or treat an abruption and this failure results in the injury or death of the mother or child, this would most likely be considered medical negligence.

Healthcare professionals need to be aware of and closely monitor any medical conditions during both pregnancy and delivery and respond promptly to any potential emergency. If a doctor failed to uphold the standard of medical care and placental abruption occurred, they may have jeopardized the life of the mother and her baby. In cases where the newborn sustained an avoidable birth injury, it might be possible to bring a birth injury lawsuit against the medical provider who committed malpractice.

If you think medical negligence was the cause of your baby’s birth injury, you need to speak with a knowledgeable birth injury lawyer who can examine your medical records, determine if you have a valid claim, and whether you are eligible to bring a malpractice suit for damages arising from your child’s birth injury.

Working with an experienced Dallas birth injury lawyer who is familiar with the complexities of birth injury laws and medical malpractice lawsuits will give your case its best chance of success. To schedule a free consultation with a Dallas birth injury attorney at Rasansky Law Firm, call (214) 651-6100 or fill out the form on our website.