Birth-related injuries to mothers can have long-term effects on the mothers and their children. Birth injuries for a mother have often caused turbulence in personal relationships, affected careers, and taken a toll on mental health. Some birth injuries can be unavoidable as they are a part of having a baby.
However, it will be ideal for you to contact a lawyer in case of medical errors that result in a birth injury. Legal action must be taken against negligent and reckless doctors. Otherwise, the circumstances of birth injuries due to medical negligence will keep increasing.
Besides, below are some common birth injuries for a mother during the childbirth process you must know as they can help you deal with the crisis effectively.
Common birth injuries to a mother
A ruptured uterus
A ruptured uterus can happen when the wall of the uterus or womb tears down during pregnancy. It is one of the most severe complications among mothers, and it occurs in women who previously had a cesarean section at the site of the scar.
It is necessary to treat a ruptured uterus promptly. Otherwise, it can become life-threatening to both the mother and the baby and cause significant damage to the health. The mother might likely lose lots of blood and need a transfusion or antibiotics to reduce the chances of an infection.
Prolapsed uterus
Giving birth to a child can also cause pelvic organ prolapse. In such an injury, a pelvic organ bulges into the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse is more common among women who face difficulties delivering the baby or in cases where the baby is huge.
When the uterus slips out of its normal position and slides down into the vaginal canal, prolapse of the uterus can occur. In most cases, a pelvic organ or a prolapsed uterus can affect the mother’s quality of life but cannot become life-threatening.
Vaginal tears during childbirth
Most women suffer from perineal tears when the perineum stretches as the baby is borns. The perineum is the skin between the vagina and the anus. Perineal tears can be minor and likely heal naturally shortly after the baby’s birth.
However, more severe tears can also extend to the vulva, external genitals, or the muscles in the anus. Healing and recovery time for each tear can be different. Similarly, there are several types of tears, such as first-degree, second-degree, and third- and fourth-degree perineal tears.
The severity or seriousness can rise as the degree of a tear rises. It will be best to speak to your doctor or midwife about any problem you face during childbirth. Hiring a lawyer and proceeding accordingly will be ideal if you suspect medical negligence.