Postpartum Hemorrhage Attorneys

While the majority of birth injury cases involve injuries to babies, mothers can also experience injuries during childbirth that need attention. One of these complications is postpartum hemorrhage, which is excessive bleeding after vaginal birth or cesarean delivery.

Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. In the United States alone, approximately 11% of all maternal deaths are associated with postpartum hemorrhage. Additionally, many maternal injury claims that result in settlements or judgments are linked to postpartum hemorrhage.

With its high prevalence in hospital settings and court cases alike, postpartum hemorrhages are more common than we would hope. That is why we have trained birth injury attorneys who can help you with your maternal postpartum hemorrhage case.

Contact Beam Legal Team today to see how we can help you seek compensation for your birth complication.

Understanding Postpartum Hemorrhage

Blood loss is normal during childbirth, but only up to a certain amount. For the birth of a single baby via vaginal delivery, the average amount of blood loss is about 500 ml (which is about half a quart). For the birth of a single baby via cesarean section, the average amount of blood loss is 1,000mL (which is about one quart).

Postpartum hemorrhage occurs when there is excessive blood loss above 1,000 ml after the birth of a baby. It most commonly occurs after the delivery of the placenta, and it is also more likely to occur with cesarean sections.

The main reason postpartum hemorrhage occurs is due to the contraction strength of the uterus. Usually, after a baby is delivered, the uterus continues to contract and expels the placenta.

After this, the uterine contractions help to compress the bleeding blood vessels where the placenta was previously attached. If the uterine contractions are not strong enough, the blood vessels continue to bleed freely, causing hemorrhaging. Postpartum hemorrhaging can also occur if small pieces of the placenta remain attached to the uterus.

The most common symptoms of a postpartum hemorrhage include:

• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Decreased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Decrease in red blood cell count
• Swelling and pain in tissues in the vaginal and perineal area

Postpartum hemorrhage symptoms can vary from person to person, and the most common symptoms may resemble those of other medical conditions. These can occur right after delivery or even after the mother and child have gone home. Postpartum hemorrhages must be treated promptly and properly, as shock and death may occur if they are left untreated.

Risk Factors for Postpartum Hemorrhage

While postpartum hemorrhage is somewhat prevalent, certain factors put women at a greater risk of experiencing it. These include the following:

• Early detachment of the placenta from the uterus
• Excessive enlargement of the uterus due to too much amniotic fluid or a large baby
• Multiple pregnancies at the same time with more than one placenta and overdistention of the uterus
• Gestational hypertension or preeclampsia
• Many previous births
• Prolonged labor
• Infection
• Obesity
• Medications to induce labor
• Use of forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery
• General anesthesia

Healthcare providers should be aware of any factors that put a woman at a higher risk of experiencing postpartum hemorrhage, and they should make sure to monitor the mother appropriately before, during, and after delivery. Proper documentation should be maintained, and healthcare providers should exercise caution when performing any invasive procedures required for childbirth.

How Medical Negligence Can Lead to Postpartum Hemorrhage

There are several ways that medical negligence can lead to postpartum hemorrhage or complications from it. This is true before, during, and after childbirth.

Some examples of medical negligence in postpartum hemorrhage cases are the following:

• The healthcare provider performs an unnecessary cesarean section, which disrupts the natural birthing process. This could increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
• There are procedural errors during labor or delivery, such as with the use of forceps or vacuums, that can cause or worsen postpartum hemorrhage.
• There is insufficient monitoring during and after childbirth, resulting in undetected medical issues related to postpartum hemorrhage.
• The healthcare provider fails to diagnose or misdiagnoses a postpartum hemorrhage, leading to increased complications and issues.
• The healthcare provider does not administer appropriate and timely treatment for postpartum hemorrhage, which may include using incorrect procedures, medications, or timeframes. This can exacerbate the postpartum hemorrhage.

Medical negligence cases for postpartum hemorrhage are extremely complex, and ensuring you understand how everything fits together is crucial for taking legal action. That is why it is always recommended to consult with an experienced attorney who knows the process behind medical negligence cases.