Understanding Common Placenta Problems that Could Cause Birth Injuries: Placental Abruption, Placenta Previa, and Placenta Accreta
The placenta sits between the baby’s umbilical cord, attached to the baby, and the mother’s uterus. It stands as an organ to transfer food and oxygen from the mother to the baby. It is the lifeline to the soon-to-be newborn. It is essential, and just like any other organ, can prove very damaging or even fatal. This is why injuries with the placenta could result in serious injuries. Some of the most common placenta problems that could cause birth injuries include some of the most devastating in Oregon.
An OB-GYN and other medical providers should be aware of various problems that the placenta can encounter during pregnancy and delivery. What happens with many of these placenta complications can happen abruptly, become irreversible, and create permanent and severe damage to both the mother and baby. Ensure your doctor has managed your pregnancy and placenta problems properly and timely. If you have any questions about what this may mean, please contact our Oregon catastrophic medical malpractice attorney today.
What is a Placenta?
The placenta is a temporary organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, for the purpose of providing oxygen and nutrients to the baby, as well as removing waste from the baby’s blood. It is typically attached to the top, side, front, or back of the uterus and the umbilical cord grows from it. It exists between the umbilical cord, which is attached to the baby, and the mother’s uterine wall and uterus.
A woman’s placenta is delivered vaginally, just like the baby itself. If the mother is having a C-Section, the medical providers will surgically remove the placenta from the uterus.
Placental Abruption
Placenta abruption, while rare, does occur, and when it occurs, can be very serious. Approximately 1 in 100 pregnant women have placental abruption and it typically happens in the third trimester. Placental abruption happens when the placenta separates from the uterine wall prior to birth, whether partially or entirely. If the abruption is mild or severe usually directly depends on how much the placenta has separated from the uterine wall. The more separation, the more dangerous, and the less separation, the less dangerous.
If placenta abruption occurs, the baby may not be obtaining sufficient oxygen and nutrients, and the mother may experience serious bleeding. It often happens suddenly, and requires prompt and effective treatment before both the mother and baby can be severely harmed. Your medical provider can perform an ultrasound, although that will not always detect the abruption. Depending on what your doctor finds, the treatment may require you to give birth right away.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is when a baby’s placenta somewhat or entirely covers the mother’s cervix, which is the outlet for the uterus. Placenta previa is more common in the earlier stages of pregnancy and may improve as time goes on.
Placenta previa can cause a woman to bleed throughout her entire pregnancy, during delivery, or variations of the two. The bleeding can be severe or mild, and if it continues through until or during the third trimester, a C-Section may be needed. Your doctor will consider other factors when deciding if a C-Section is needed, such as how long the bleeding has been happening, and you and your baby’s health.
Further, certain activities will be not recommended, such as exercise, sex, using tampons, and any other activity that may cause bleeding, as these could all cause contractions.
Placenta Accreta
Placenta accreta, like placental abruption and placenta previa, is a serious pregnancy condition. Placenta accreta, however, takes place when the placenta grows too deeply in the uterine wall. Since it is too deeply in the uterine wall, it does not fully detach after giving birth. The placenta is supposed to totally detach from the wall once childbirth happens. With placenta accreta, part or all of the placenta stays attached to the uterine wall, in turn causing severe blood loss post- delivery.
With placenta accreta, it is even possible that the placenta begins to invade the uterus muscles or grow through the uterine wall. Like placenta previa, if placenta accreta is discovered during pregnancy, a C-Section will likely be required. Unfortunately, many of these cases also require surgical removal of the uterus, also known as a hysterectomy.
If you or a loved one have been negligently cared for, for a placental abruption, placenta previa, or placenta accreta, contact our Oregon catastrophic medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.
Ask Our Oregon Birth Injury Lawyer for Help With Any Case Involving Common Placenta Problems
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, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
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.
