What Expectant Mothers Should Know About Seizures During Pregnancy

news-02.jpg

How To Get Your Free Initial Consultation

To start an evaluation of your case, please complete the form below. The more information you can provide, the better able we will be to determine if we can help you.

We will review the information and let you know by email shortly if we may be able to handle your matter and what the next steps may be.

*This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Pregnancy can be such an exciting time in a parent's life. With so much change in the mother's body, however, the potential for health risks is high - a frightening prospect.  One health complication an expectant mother may experience is a seizure.

Seizures are usually very easy to identify.  The person having a seizure will exhibit rapid, involuntary body movements, shaking of the arms and legs, and difficulty breathing.  People who have seizures may suffer some degree of amnesia related to it, and will likely not remember the events leading up to it. 

Seizures are dangerous, especially in pregnant women.  Some possible consequences of having a seizure while pregnant include:

  • Injuries to the mother's head or other body parts due to convulsing
  • Trauma to the fetus if the mother injures her abdomen
  • Oxygen deprivations to both mother and baby, leading to slower heart rates and the impairment of oxygen flow to the brain

Pregnant women who have seizures may need to be transferred to an intensive care unit for observation following the incident. If she injures herself during the seizure, rehabilitative care may be necessary for some time. Unborn babies are also at much greater risk of injury and trauma, and may need to be observed after the seizure in case of damage.

There are a few common risk factors related to seizures in pregnant women. High blood pressure is a symptom of preeclampsia, which can ultimately lead to maternal seizures. A low blood sugar incident in a diabetic mother can also cause a seizure. Perfectly healthy expectant mothers can experience seizures, too. If an otherwise healthy mother has an accident that causes a head lesion, for instance, she may have a seizure.

In the cases of pregnant women with diabetes or preeclampsia, the improper management of these serious health conditions by doctors can lead to long-term consequences for the mother and child. 

If you or someone you know has experienced a seizure during pregnancy, reach out to a support team for advice and information.

A talented medical expert with over three decades of experience, Dr. Charles Bowers, Jr. is an esteemed member of Ross Feller Casey, LLP's Medical Forensic Evaluations Department.  
 

Disclaimer: Ross Feller Casey, LLP provides legal advice only after an attorney-client relationship is formed. Our website is an introduction to the firm and does not create a relationship between our attorneys and clients. An attorney-client relationship is formed only after a written agreement is signed by the client and the firm. Because every case is unique, the description of awards and summary of cases successfully handled are not intended to imply or guarantee that same success in other cases. Ross Feller Casey, LLP represents catastrophically injured persons and their families in injury and wrongful death cases, providing legal representation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.