Stillbirth is, unfortunately, a possible pregnancy outcome that takes most by surprise. Occurring in one out of every 160 births in the United States, stillbirth can be caused by a wide range of factors and most autopsies remain inconclusive.
Nonetheless, where the cause points to neglect and poor care during pregnancy, labor or delivery, legal action may be taken, and compensation sought. This article by medical malpractice lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC provides more information on seeking compensation: Stillbirth Injury.
While a lawsuit can never completely compensate for the loss of a child, it may help you move forward. Educating yourself on what stillbirth is and why it happens can give you more power in the process of determining whether negligence was a cause.
A stillbirth is the loss of a baby past the 20th week of gestation. It can occur without warning, but symptoms may include back or abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and a decline in fetal movement. In this regard, tracking fetal movement is imperative.
Read more about the facts surrounding stillbirth in this article: Facts Parents Need to Know about Stillbirth
Factors which may increase the likelihood of a stillbirth include improper prenatal care, bacterial infections, and chronic health conditions. Improper prenatal care an undiagnosed high-risk pregnancy despite indications, amounts to medical negligence. So does a missed bacterial infection, lack of monitoring of women with chronic conditions, and ill-managed preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension) or gestational diabetes.
Read more here: What Are Some Common Risk Factors For Stillbirth?
If you’ve already experienced a stillbirth, it’s natural to worry if this would affect future pregnancies. Luckily, the majority of people who do experience a stillbirth go on to have a healthy baby. Physically, pregnancy after a stillbirth is safe but, psychologically, it can take substantial work to recover. Identifying that the stillbirth was indeed the cause of medical malpractice can give you the confidence needed for a subsequent pregnancy.
Read more here: Does a Stillbirth Affect Future Pregnancies?
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