Whether due to pre-existing conditions, a mother’s age, or carrying twins or triplets, a high-risk pregnancy places both the mother’s and the child’s lives at risk. A high-risk pregnancy is considered any pregnancy that has an increased chance of complications. While both the mother and fetus need to be closely monitored, a mother may carry a high-risk pregnancy to full term without experiencing any signs or symptoms of concern.
At Marzella & Associates, we are committed to keeping you informed of potential complications that may impact you or your child. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, our birth injury lawyers in Harrisburg, PA, would like to discuss what you need to know.
Factors That Make a Pregnancy High-Risk
A high-risk pregnancy occurs whenever either the mother or fetus is at an increased risk of experiencing complications during labor and delivery. A pregnancy is considered high-risk anytime the following factors are present:
- If the mother has pre-existing health conditions: Some conditions include kidney disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), HIV/AIDS, blood clotting disorders, uterine fibroids, autoimmune diseases (such as lupus or multiple sclerosis), and diabetes.
- If the mother develops a condition: Pregnancy-related conditions such as gestational diabetes, anemia, or hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea) increase the chances of having pregnancy complications.
- The mother’s age: If the mother is younger than 17 years old or over 35 years old.
- Lifestyle factors: If the mother smokes, has a substance abuse disorder, or is exposed to certain toxins during the pregnancy.
- Multiple pregnancies: When a mother is carrying more than one child, this is considered a multiple pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies are becoming more common as women are utilizing fertility treatments, placing the mother at risk of pregnancy complications.
- Obesity: If the mother is obese, her baby is four to 12 times more likely to be large at birth, a condition known as fetal macrosomia.
Potential Complications of a High-Risk Pregnancy
Common complications of a high-risk pregnancy include:
- Miscarriage: The sudden loss of a fetus before 20 weeks of gestational age. Miscarriage impacts 23 million people each year.
- Stillbirth: When a baby dies after 20 weeks of gestation, this is known as a stillbirth. It is estimated that one in 175 babies is stillborn.
- Premature birth: Occurs when a baby is born at 37 weeks of gestational age.
- Preeclampsia: A pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension (new onset), protein in the urine, and organ damage. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can lead to seizures, stroke, and preterm birth. If left untreated, maternal death may occur.
- Cesarean delivery: Surgical intervention to deliver a baby, with incisions being made in the uterus and the mother’s belly.
- Low birth weight: An infant that is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces, on delivery is considered to have a low birth weight.
- Postpartum hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding after childbirth, which is typically caused by the uterus failing to contract after delivery. Postpartum hemorrhage can occur within the first 24 hours of delivery but can also occur up to 12 weeks postpartum. This life-threatening condition requires immediate medical intervention.
- congenital disabilities: Any abnormal condition that may cause developmental delays, neurological deficits, and physical impairments. Common birth defects in high-risk pregnancies include Down syndrome, cleft palate, and cerebral palsy.
Medical Malpractice in High-Risk Pregnancies
Although you or your child may not experience complications in a high-risk pregnancy, your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) or treating provider must perform their due diligence. Physicians are responsible for proper monitoring during all pregnancies, but especially during high-risk pregnancies. Your treating provider should take the appropriate steps to manage your care, which will vary based on your situation.
Many conditions can be diagnosed through fetal ultrasound, blood tests, and other diagnostic tests. However, a physician must possess the knowledge and experience to recognize the signs of potential conditions or fetal distress to order appropriate testing.
Speak with Our Harrisburg Birth Injury Attorneys Today
If your physician failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent injury to you or your child during pregnancy, you need to speak with a birth injury attorney. A birth injury lawyer can gather the evidence needed to prove the healthcare provider’s negligence. Establishing a medical provider’s oversight or ineptitude is essential to collecting the compensation you deserve. At Marzella & Associates, we are committed to advocating for reimbursement for any birth injury complications.
To arrange a free consultation with a Harrisburg birth injury lawyer, contact us online or by phone at (717) 876-8681.