Overview

Also referred to as preterm labor, delivering a baby before the due date can have both negative short and long-term health effects on the mother. With a typical pregnancy lasting around 40 weeks, women who deliver a child before 37 weeks classify as going into labor. Around 12% of all pregnancies in the United States each year qualify as premature. Although medical advances have helped preemies survive early birth, pregnant women still have to deal with several potentially life threatening medical problems.

Causes

The delivery of a premature baby increases the chances of having the same thing happen with a subsequent birth. Diabetes and high blood pressure represent the medical conditions most likely to induce preterm labor. Women younger than 17 and older than 35 years of age run the higher risk of delivering an infant before the normal period of 40 weeks. Expectant mothers who smoke or have pre-existing uterus or cervix issues are prime candidates for experiencing injuries caused by premature births.

Medical provider negligence can also place a pregnant woman at risk for experiencing this type of labor.

Premature Injuries

Pregnant women who deliver babies before term can experience a wide variety of injuries, some of which could create the potential for mortality.

Vaginal Bleeding

The onset of this type of labor can cause vaginal bleeding, which leads to ancillary health care concerns for medical providers. Placenta previa happens when the placenta covers the cervix partially or completely. The abruption of the placenta involves the placenta separating prematurely from the uterine wall. Vaginal bleeding typically does not put a pregnant woman in danger of losing her life, but the premature injury may require health care intervention.

Serious Infection

If left untreated, urinary and reproductive tract infections can put an expectant mother in severe physical distress. The premature movement of a child through the birth canal triggers bacteria that overwhelm the body’s immune system. Infections cause a several physical conditions that include diarrhea and elevated body temperature.

Polyhydramnios

Too much amniotic fluid prompts the premature pregnancy injury called Polyhydramnios, which stretches the uterus wall beyond what medical providers consider normal. Amniotic fluid covers a fetus to protect it against invasive bacteria. Your health care provider should detect the presence of the premature injury by conducting preventive measures such as diagnosis and the removal of excess amniotic fluid.

VCervix Injury

The cervix comprises the lower section of the uterus, and it should remain closed to keep an infant secured within the womb. If preterm labor occurs, the fetus can tear the cervix, which can create several possible premature injuries that include severe bruising of the cervix and serious bleeding from the vaginal cavity.

Medical Provider Negligence

The injuries caused by preterm labor often are the result of normal physical reactions experienced by pregnant women. However, medical provider negligence can play a role in causing physical issues. If you suffer from premature labor injuries that resulted from the negligence of your health care provider, you should contact a licensed attorney who has considerable experience successfully litigating medical malpractice cases.