Understanding Preeclampsia: Our Bend/Portland, Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers Explain
Expecting to have a baby is a very exciting time in a family’s life. But it can also be a very scary time. This is particularly because there are some conditions that are related to the pregnancy that could be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. Preeclampsia is one of those conditions. The failure to diagnose and treat preeclampsia can result in serious personal injuries and even the wrongful death of the newborn or the mother. Our Bend/Portland, Oregon birth injury lawyers know that, while preeclampsia is rare, it can be deadly if untreated.
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is the condition of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy. Generally, the mother does not have high blood pressure before pregnancy. But during the pregnancy the mother develops high blood pressure or hypertension. Preeclampsia is also characterized by too much portion in the urine, or proteinuria.
Both of these conditions are dangerous to the mother and to the baby. The increase in the mother’s blood pressure results in a decrease in the blood supply that the newborn received through the placenta. This translates to the newborn receiving less oxygen, but also less nutrients. Prolonged preeclampsia can also damage the placenta which is the newborns lifeline to oxygen and nutrients. If the placenta is permanently damaged, it could cause life-threatening harm to the baby.
There is no “cure” to preeclampsia other than managing symptoms, monitoring the mother and baby, and in an emergency performing a c-section.
Dangers of Preeclampsia
Any condition which affects the blood flow to the baby is a serious problem. This is because the baby’s brain is developing rapidly and has high demands for nutrients and oxygen. Any decrease will result in serious complications to the child which could result in catastrophic injury. Some of the most common conditions that could be caused by preeclampsia include the following:
- Cerebral palsy;
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE);
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR);
- Eclampsia which can cause seizures to the mother and result in the deaths of both the mother and the baby;
- Preterm birth;
- Wrongful death (stillbirth); and
- Many other conditions.
Healthcare Providers Must Act Fast
While the only solution for preeclampsia is delivery, there are some ways that healthcare providers can manage preeclampsia. The reason why providers will want to do this is to allow the baby more time to develop to give him or her a better chance. This is because most mothers who develop preeclampsia may need to have a preterm birth. Generally, 27 weeks is the accepted time period for when a child may be born preterm and survive. While there have been babies born less, the older that a baby is the more likely that the baby will survive.
Our Bend/Portland, Oregon Birth Injuries Lawyers can Help
Preeclampsia is a serious warning sign that all healthcare providers must be trained to recognize and treat. The failure to do so could result in serious personal injuries to the baby or the mother. Any delay in treating preeclampsia is simply life-threatening and likely negligent. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hillsboro.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
