Pregnancy and expecting the birth of a new child can be a joyous time for a couple. At the same time, the risk of something going wrong during labor and childbirth can be terrifying for parents. Many problems can occur that can put the baby’s health and even life in jeopardy. However, there are also certain types of deliveries that can harm the mother.

What Types of Deliveries Can Harm the Mother?

Sometimes in the medical field, there is more focus put on the baby than the mother in pregnancy and delivery situations. As a result, the expectant mom can experience complications during the pregnancy itself as well as during childbirth. The following types of deliveries are often risky to the health of the mother:

  • Prolonged labor: For some women, especially those in their first pregnancy, there may be a complication known as prolonged labor. This happens when the woman is in labor for a longer period of time than normal. This is labor that lasts longer than 20 hours in first-time moms, and can put both the mother and child at risk for complications. In women who have previously given birth, prolonged labor lasts over 14 hours. Being pregnant with multiples can contribute to this problem, as well as babies in the wrong position in the uterus or weak contractions.

  • Abnormal presentation: In pregnancy, an abnormal presentation occurs when the baby has moved down into the birth canal but is in the wrong position. During normal labor, the baby is head down and faces the mother’s back. However, there are different positions that can lead to complications: complete breech, frank breech, incomplete breech, and transverse lie. When the baby is in an abnormal presentation in the womb during labor, complications can arise that can put both baby and the mother at risk. In particular, a transverse lie can result in serious injuries to the uterus.

  • Amniotic fluid embolism: An amniotic fluid embolism is one of the most serious complications that can occur during delivery. It can potentially put the mother at risk of going into shock or cardiac arrest and can even result in her death.

  • Forceps or vacuum assistance: Forceps and vacuum assistance may be used to assist a vaginal birth. While these devices can help in delivering a baby, they also carry some risks. There tend to be more risks to the baby, but the mother is at risk for complications as well. They include perforations to the vagina, urethra, or rectum. A mom can also experience an increase in blood loss.

  • Preeclampsia and eclampsia: All expectant mothers are at risk for preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure usually beginning around the twentieth week of pregnancy. If it develops into eclampsia, a more serious illness, it can cause complications in the mother that include high blood pressure, seizures, and disruptions in the normal functioning of the liver and kidneys. Placental abruption can also occur and lead to heavy bleeding and even death of both mother and baby.

  • C-section: Cesarean births, also simply known as C-sections, are also risky for the mother. As it is major surgery, there are always risks associated with this form of delivery. In some cases, the procedure can result in hemorrhaging that requires a blood transfusion, organ injury pain in the area due to scar tissue formation, and even infection in the incision area, uterus, or bladder.

If you have experienced any of these delivery complications that resulted in injury, you need a skilled Indiana medical malpractice attorney to look into the situation.

Contact Wagner Reese at (888) 204-8440 to talk with an Indiana medical malpractice attorney about complications you experienced during childbirth that led to your injuries.