. It is important that an OBGYN and any other relevant physicians evaluate a pregnant mother carefully to determine whether she has other medical conditions that could affect her safety and the health of the baby. If the woman has these polyps, this could increase her chances of excessive bleeding, but polyps are just one potential cause. Other issues that can lead to dangerous levels of blood loss for the mother include vaginal cancer, cervicitis, or lacerations from a C-section.

Basics of Cervical Polyps

A cervical polyp is a finger-like benign growth attached to the cervix. It is typically most common in women in reproductive age categories which is why it is so important for doctors to be prepared to scan for it. Approximately 1% of these polyps may eventually become cancerous and lead to cervical cancer. Some of the most common causes of cervical polyps include:

During the second half of pregnancy, bleeding from the vagina is referred to as antepartum hemorrhage. APH happens in approximately 2% of pregnancies and is a crucial factor behind the maternal death. Maternal deaths tied to antepartum hemorrhage and polyps are largely preventable if the doctor helping the woman is knowledgeable about her condition and does everything possible to assist with avoiding it. If the bleeding is moderate, there is little danger to the mother, but even a small amount of blood loss can decrease the nutrients and supply of oxygen to the fetus. Diagnosing these hemorrhages frequently involves symptoms such as:

There are three main categories of antepartum hemorrhage. These include:

If APH leads to the death of the mother, a doctor that should have been aware of the warning signs or taken further action and may be held responsible in an Ohio medical malpractice lawsuit.