Baltimore Placental Abruption Lawyer
Placental Abruption Attorneys Located in Baltimore, Serving Clients Nationwide.
Placental abruption is an uncommon, but serious pregnancy complication that occurs when the placental lining separates from the mother’s uterus prior to delivery.
Warning Signs
Placental abruption can begin anytime after the 20th week of pregnancy. Symptoms of placental abruption include vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, back pain, uterine or abdominal tenderness, contractions, and decreased fetal movement. In close to a quarter of cases, an abruption causes the woman to go into labor prematurely. The Baltimore placental abruption lawyers at the Law Offices of Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman can help you recover compensation and other damages if you or a loved one have been affected by a health care provider’s negligence.
Diagnosis & Care
Doctors use several methods to diagnose placental abruption during pregnancy so that proper treatment can be undertaken, but unfortunately, this condition can only truly be diagnosed after delivery, when the placenta can be examined. To narrow down possible sources of vaginal bleeding, health care providers may run blood tests, do an ultrasound, or utilize fetal monitoring. Without proper intervention, fetal and maternal distress or death can occur. The severity of fetal distress depends on the degree of placental separation. Delivery is required in cases of severe abruption or when significant fetal or maternal distress occurs, even in cases of profound prematurity. All other problems and complications associated with premature deliveries are also possible.
Expenses
The costs associated with placental abruption can be substantial, especially if the mother and baby survive, but sustain permanent injury. If not caught and treated immediately, the mother could suffer internal hemorrhaging, infection, and uterine scarring that could require a hysterectomy and endanger her overall health. Since the placenta is the baby’s sole source of oxygen, damage or detachment causes oxygen deprivation, which can result in brain damage, birth defects, or death. Placental abruption can be caused by the failure of a doctor to properly monitor the mother’s condition or a missed diagnosis of high blood pressure.
Treatment Centers
Appropriate treatment depends on the severity and location of the separation as well as the age of the fetus. Separations can be partial or complete and there are varying different degrees of each. When there is a partial separation and the fetus has not reached maturity, bed rest and close monitoring are generally prescribed. If there is substantial bleeding, a transfusion may be necessary. When there is a complete separation, delivery is the safest option for both the mother and the baby. If the baby is in distress or the mother is bleeding heavily, a cesarean delivery may be necessary.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can stop the placenta from detaching and there is no way to reattach it. Any type of placental abruption can lead to premature birth and low birth weight. In cases where severe placental abruption occurs, fetal death occurs approximately 15% of the time.
