Prematurity Awareness Month spans all of November, and November 17th in particular is World Prematurity Day. Both of these events shed light on the complexity of care for premature infants. It is also the right time to discuss premature birth medical malpractice.
For many families, the question of “why” can only be answered with a full investigation. Contact the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. and Associates for a free consultation to review your case. Allow our birth injury lawyers to offer insight.
What Is Preterm Birth?
Preterm birth is birth occurring prior to 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. The March of Dimes reports that 1 in 10 babies in the United States are born prematurely. That is a resoundingly high number. Not every preterm baby suffers complications, but many will face numerous limitations to health and well-being, including:
- Poor lung development
- Brain development delays
- Limitations or complications in vision and hearing
- Developmental delays
This often leads to long-term health complications. Many children born early maintain health complications for years to come, sometimes for the rest of their lives.
Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in the U.S.
Numerous factors contribute to the risk of preterm birth. Some of the most common include:
- Prior preterm births
- Multiple gestations (carrying twins, triplets, or more)
- Cervical and uterine factors such as early cervical dilation, placenta previa, or a short cervix
- Infections including urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, or amniotic fluid infections
- Chronic or gestational conditions including diabetes, blood clotting disorders, and high blood pressure
- Assisted reproduction such as the use of IVF or other methods
- Having a previous child within the last 18 months
Any woman can experience preterm birth even without these or other high-risk factors.
Know the Warning Signs of Premature Labor
Because this can happen to anyone, whether it is their first or tenth child, it is critical to recognize the warning signs so proper care can be provided as soon as possible. The March of Dimes shares warning signs of premature labor, including:
- Contractions
- Pelvic pressure, especially if new or increasing
- Back pain
- Changes in vaginal discharge
- Cramping
- Mother’s water breaking early
Delayed treatment of premature labor can be life-threatening to both the mother and the child. Seek medical help immediately if you have any of these signs. Preventing a birth injury could be possible with fast action.
The Responsibility of Healthcare Providers
Not all complications of premature birth are preventable. However, your doctor owes you a duty of care to take all possible steps to minimize risk. The responsibility of a healthcare provider includes the following:
- Evaluate all symptoms as soon as possible
- Monitor the mother and baby
- Identify risk factors for premature birth early
- Order appropriate testing to determine what is occurring
- Respond promptly when premature labor is suspected
Failure to diagnose preterm labor or act in these situations puts lives at risk. If you suspect that occurs to you, reach out to our legal team for further insight.
Possible Indications of Prenatal Medical Malpractice
The following are some of the most common lapses in medical care that could indicate negligence. Not all of these are signs of negligence in your case, but they warrant a consultation with our team.
- Failure to recognize or respond to signs of preterm labor
- Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections
- Inadequate monitoring of a high-risk pregnancy
- Failure to properly evaluate cervical changes
- Delayed administration of appropriate treatment
- Failure to transfer a patient to a hospital equipped for high-risk delivery and neonatal care
- Delayed delivery when the mother or baby is in distress
Not every premature birth is preventable. Not every instance is caused by negligence. Preterm labor can occur even when the mother, doctors, nurses, and others do everything right. It is not always understood why preterm labor occurs.
When to Seek a Lawyer’s Opinion
If you believe something was not right, reach out to our birth injury attorney in Washington, D.C., to share your story with us. As skilled premature birth lawyers, we guide you in seeking full and fair compensation when someone puts your future at risk.
If you suspect a premature birth injury occurred, and you want an independent review of prenatal, hospital, labor and delivery, and neonatal records, contact our team. As birth injury lawyers, we can help you determine what happened.
I cannot stress more the importance of examining both the medical evidence and the legal standard of care in these cases. Many times, these instances are preventable, but unless you have an attorney that understands both the medical and legal aspects, you may be unable to prove negligence. –Dr. Wilson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premature Birth Injuries
How do I know my high-risk pregnancy was medical malpractice?
It is very common for victims not to know medical malpractice occurred. You may believe your high-risk pregnancy absolves the doctor of all potential negligence claims. That is not the case. Request a free consultation to learn more.
Does a preterm birth always mean there will be complications?
No. Preterm births increase the risk of complications. However, with proper care, it may be possible to avoid some of the most negative outcomes.
When is preterm birth medical malpractice?
It may constitute malpractice if the healthcare provider fails to follow the accepted standard of care. You must show that, in doing so, that specific failure caused or worsened the premature delivery and resulted in the infant’s injury. This can be complex to prove. Let our legal team analyze your case to learn more.
Washington, D.C., Premature Birth Lawyer at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson M.D., J.D. and Associates Offers a Free Case Evaluation
Proving premature birth medical malpractice is challenging. Allow an attorney with a medical background to guide you in seeking justice. The Washington, D.C., premature birth lawyer at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson M.D., J.D. and Associates has recovered more than $100 million for deserving clients. Our trusted legal team can identify potentially responsible providers and institutions, and explain available legal options. Call us at 202-223-4488 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Washington, D.C., and also serve clients in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
