Complications During Pregnancy

Most pregnancies go well- the mother is healthy throughout and a healthy baby is delivered at term. Things can go wrong, however. Sometimes the female will have health issues prior to conceiving that can make pregnancy more difficult. Sometimes problems arise during pregnancy, or a history of certain problems in families or in prior pregnancies can predispose a woman to complications during a current pregnancy or place her in what is termed the “high risk” category. The following is a list of complications of pregnancy and a brief description.

• Anything that would shift a woman into the “high risk” category
• Allergic reactions to medications that are prescribed
• Bacterial vaginosis-disruption of the bacterial levels during pregnancy. Uncomfortable, treatable condition
• Cholestasis of pregnancy- when the liver and gallbladder are not functioning properly to help the woman’s body to absorb and process ingested fats
• Cytomegalovirus infection- virus in pregnant women slightly increasing chances of baby having hearing loss, learning deficiencies
• Cord issues- there are several things that can go wrong involving the umbilical cord-essentially the lifeline between the baby and the mother. Cord issues all result in the baby being deprived of oxygen-serious emergency situation requiring immediate medical intervention
• Ectopic pregnancy- when the egg or embryo implants in a location other than the uterus-usually the fallopian tube.
• Gestational or preexisting diabetes- this is a condition where the body is not processing sugar, which the body needs as a source for energy. Gestational diabetes will clear up after the baby is born.
• Group B strep is a type of bacterial infection that will be tested for prior to delivery as the baby can contract it from the mother as it passes through the vagina during birth. The mother will be treated with antibiotics prior to delivery if group B strep is detected. Untreated, the baby can contract the infection and a systemic, dangerous septic infection can occur. It is very hard for baby to defend against infections as they have an undeveloped immune system at birth.
• A history of miscarriage
• Iron deficient anemia
• Immune issues, autoimmune disease such as diabetes, lupus, etc
• Incompetent cervix is a condition where the cervix does not close or seal properly to maintain the pregnancy. Can result in preterm labor or miscarriage. Cerclage, or procedure sewing the cervix shut during the last trimester is one approach to treating incompetent cervix.
• The growing fetus is monitored for growth and normal development. Failure to thrive and being too small for gestational age are complications.
• Oligohydramnios/polyhydramnios-conditions where there is not enough, or too much amniotic fluid present in the womb (respectively).
• Preterm labor and birth
• Placenta accreta,increta, percreta-conditions where the placenta is adhered too tightly (or deeply) with the uterus. Results in heavy bleeding after the baby is delivered.
• Placenta abruptio- when the placenta separates prematurely from the wall of the uterus instead of happening after the baby is delivered.
• Placenta Previa- when the placenta covers the opening of the cervix
• Vasa previa is a situation where the fetal blood vessels are attached somewhere other than the placenta.  The vessels pass over the cervical opening making the time around delivery particularly prone to rupture of these vessels.
• Prior ongoing health issues that the woman had before becoming pregnant.
• Pre eclampsia is hypertension associated with pregnancy. This condition clears up after the baby is delivered. It poses a risk of preterm labor and delivery of the baby.
• Rh negative disease becomes a complication for the second pregnancy if the mother has Rh negative blood and the baby has Rh positive blood. The mother’s immune system mistakenly identifies the baby’s different blood type as a foreign invader to be attacked. This condition is treatable.
• Toxoplasmosis is an infection that can cross the placental barrier. It is of little concern to the health of the mother, but can have serious neurological effects for the baby.
• Trauma or injury that happen during pregnancy can compromise the lives of mother and baby or seriously complicate the pregnancy.

If you believe an OB/GYN misdiagnosed complications during pregnancy that resulted in harm or injury to you or a loved one, then you may be eligible for damages. Call the Sweeney Law Firm and let us review the facts to establish whether you have an OB/GYN medical malpractice case. If we decide to take your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless there is a settlement or recovery of funds for you.