Pregnancy can be a wonderful time in the lives of Oregon parents. Even when a pregnancy seems to be going well, minor to serious complications could arise. For example, some abdominal pain may be normal with all the changes a woman’s body goes through during this time. However, some abdominal pain could indicate a serious problem. If a woman’s doctor fails to take her complaints seriously, the repercussions could be devastating.
Outside of things such as gas, constipation, a growing uterus and round ligament pain, some serious conditions could start as abdominal pain. In some cases, it may be the only or earliest indication of a potentially life-threatening condition. For instance, it could indicate a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy or preterm labor.
This type of pain could also indicate conditions such as preeclampsia in which a woman’s blood pressure rises to dangerous levels, a placental abruption that could deprive the baby of nutrients and oxygen, or appendicitis that puts both the mother and baby at risk. Even something as simple as a urinary tract infection could lead to a kidney infection. Any of these ailments could endanger the life of the mother and/or the baby depending on the circumstances.
When a doctor fails to take a pregnant woman’s complaints of abdominal pain seriously, the outcome could be life-altering for the mother and her unborn child. As is the case with other people here in Oregon, a pregnant woman deserves to receive the best possible care throughout her pregnancy. If her doctor dismisses her pain and fails to timely diagnose a complication that could result in significant harm, she may have the opportunity to file a medical malpractice claim in the pursuit of restitution for the damages resulting from such a grievous error.