Placental Problems That Can Lead to Medical Malpractice Causing Birth Injuries

What Is Placental Abruption?

Placental abruption is when the placenta partially or completely detaches from the uterine wall.

It is a complication of pregnancy that requires immediate medical attention. The placenta is the organ that feeds and nourishes the unborn baby and disposes of the baby’s waste products. The placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus and supplies the baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord.

The symptoms of placental abruption may include vaginal bleeding, uterine tenderness, abdominal pain and abnormalities of the fetal heart rate. Doctors and nurses should immediately evaluate symptoms of placental abruption.

Treatment of placental abruption depends on the severity and location of the separation of the placenta and the age of the pregnancy.

The causes of or risk factors for placental abruption include preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension, smoking, maternal age, multiple gestation pregnancy, and trauma to the abdomen.

What Is Placenta Previa?

Placenta previa is a complication of pregnancy that is very dangerous to the baby and to the mother. Placenta previa occurs when the placenta implants over or close to the internal cervical os. The internal cervical os is the opening at the bottom of the uterus leading into the cervix. The cervix is shaped like a funnel, leading into the vagina. When the placenta is next to or covering the opening to the cervix, when the cervix dilates, the placenta may tear, causing bleeding or hemorrhage.

Placenta previa usually occurs during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and is a primary cause of vaginal bleeding in the second and third trimesters.

There are different types of placenta previa. Total placenta previa occurs when the internal cervical os is completely covered by the placenta. Partial placenta previa and marginal placenta previa occur when the internal os is partially covered or when the placenta is located at the margin of the cervical os.

Placenta previa is very dangerous because of the risk of uterine bleeding and disruption of blood flow to the baby. It can cause maternal hemorrhage, hypotension (low blood pressure), and tachycardia. Placenta previa must be carefully managed by medical providers to avoid potentially deadly complications to the mother and the baby.

If you had placenta previa during pregnancy and your baby has suffered an injury, you should determine whether the placenta previa caused the baby’s injury and whether that injury could have been prevented. Our birth injury attorneys are available to talk with you about these issues and provide you with information about your legal rights and the legal rights of your child. Call Birth Injury Lawyer Laura Brown at +1 (866) 393-2611.