When a woman in Oregon or elsewhere is expecting a baby, she can reasonably expect that her obstetrician or midwife will closely monitor her condition, as well as the health and safety of her infant. Certain symptoms during pregnancy alert an OB-GYN to urgent medical situations that require immediate treatment or specialized care throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. An OB-GYN who fails to diagnose such symptoms may be placing the mother and child at risk.
Preeclampsia is a high-risk pregnancy condition
There are seven symptoms that often occur in women who have a condition in pregnancy called preeclampsia:
- Blurred vision and/or severe headache
- Swollen face and hands
- Feeling short of breath
- Protein in urine
- Pain on the right side of the abdomen
- Sensitivity to light
- Blood pressure higher than 140/90
Preeclampsia is specifically related to high blood pressure in women who have normal blood pressure outside of pregnancy. Symptoms of preeclampsia typically arise after the 20th week of pregnancy; however, some women develop symptoms postpartum, meaning after their babies are delivered.
What should an OB do if a woman is showing signs of preeclampsia?
The typical OB-GYN understands how dangerous preeclampsia can be and knows how to recognize symptoms of the condition, as well as what course of treatment to follow. If a woman is 37 weeks or more along in her pregnancy, her doctor might induce a vaginal delivery or schedule a cesarean section. If the baby needs more time in the womb, medication can sometimes be prescribed to keep a mother’s blood pressure at safe levels and to help the baby’s lungs mature.
When birth injuries occur because of medical negligence
A pregnant woman who receives substandard care in an Oregon medical facility is at risk for injury, and so is her child. If injuries occur, restitution may be sought by filing an injury claim in a civil court. Any person or entity deemed responsible for the injuries may be named as a defendant in such cases.