During childbirth, the focus can often be solely on the baby.
But the health of new mothers should also be the priority, with 700 women dying each year in the United States as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of these complications, with 2.9 percent of new moms in the U.S. bleeding too much. While that may not seem like a lot on a percentage basis, it equates to 125,000 affected women.
Postpartum hemorrhage is when a new mother starts bleeding profusely and to a dangerous level after giving birth. Postpartum hemorrhages most often occur after cesarean births. Most postpartum hemorrhages happen immediately after birth, but sometimes it can occur slightly later.
During labor, a pregnant woman experiences contractions to help deliver her baby. After the baby arrives, her uterus continues to contract to push out the placenta.
After the placenta is delivered, the contractions continue to aid in compressing the bleeding vessels where the placenta was attached. If the uterus does not contract strongly enough, the blood vessels would bleed freely and a hemorrhage would occur.
Some new mothers face a higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage. These conditions increase a mother’s risk:
New moms are also at risk for postpartum hemorrhages if:
It’s rare, but postpartum hemorrhage can be life-threatening to the new mother.
If a new mom experiences excessive and rapid blood loss, it can cause a severe drop in the mother's blood pressure. This may lead to shock or death if not treated properly.
If you experience any of these symptoms, alert your doctor right away or call 9-1-1.
If you think you or your spouse had a postpartum hemorrhage, and the cause might be from medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
At Ross Feller Casey, we have a national reputation for helping families during this difficult time. We have an unmatched record of winning all types of medical malpractice cases, including multimillion-dollar recoveries in lawsuits involving postpartum hemorrhage.
With our team of Ivy-league trained doctor and doctor-lawyers right on staff, we’re able to advise you and your family throughout the legal process. If we don’t win, we don’t get paid. We want what’s best for you and your family. Call today for a free consultation.
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