Pregancy-Related Deaths on Rise in U.S.

The United States has one of the highest rates of pregnancy-related deaths among developed countries, and while the rate has been decreasing globally, it has been increasing in the United States since 1987. Some of the major causes of increased pregnancy-related deaths in the United States from 1987-2018 include:

• Maternal age: Older women who become pregnant are at a higher risk for complications during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia, which can lead to maternal death.
• Obesity: The obesity epidemic in the United States has led to a higher incidence of complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia.
• Cardiovascular disease: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of maternal death in the United States. Women with preexisting heart conditions or those who develop them during pregnancy are at higher risk.
• Racial disparities: African American women are at a significantly higher risk of maternal death than white women in the United States. This is due to a combination of factors, including lack of access to healthcare, higher rates of poverty, and systemic racism in the healthcare system.
• Access to healthcare: Women who lack access to prenatal care or who experience delays in receiving care are at higher risk for complications during pregnancy and childbirth, which can lead to maternal death.
• Cesarean sections: While cesarean sections can be life-saving in some cases, they are associated with higher rates of complications, including maternal death, compared to vaginal deliveries.
• Substance abuse: Substance abuse during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of maternal death due to complications such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and hemorrhage.
• Medical malpractice and negligence:
  • Delayed or incorrect diagnosis: Failure to diagnose and treat pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or infections can lead to severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can worsen the condition, making it more difficult to treat and increasing the risk of maternal death.
  • Inadequate treatment: Even when a correct diagnosis is made, inadequate or inappropriate treatment can also lead to maternal death. This can include the failure to provide necessary interventions such as blood transfusions or emergency cesarean sections.
  • Surgical errors: Surgical errors during cesarean sections or other procedures can lead to severe maternal morbidity or mortality. For example, if a surgeon accidentally cuts or nicks an artery, this can lead to severe blood loss and even maternal death.
  • Medication errors: Medication errors, such as giving the wrong medication or dosage, can cause harm to the mother and the baby, leading to severe morbidity or mortality.
  • Infections: Infections acquired during hospitalization can also contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality. These infections can include surgical site infections, sepsis, and postpartum infections.
  • Poor communication: Poor communication between healthcare providers can lead to medical errors and inadequate care. For example, failure to communicate vital information about a patient’s condition or delay in notifying the physician of a change in condition can lead to delayed or inappropriate treatment.

It is crucial to seek the advice of our experienced birth injury and wrongful death attorney in these types of cases, at no cost to you. As mentioned, there are many factors to consider, including the medical history of the mother and the child, the events leading up to and during the birth, and the actions of the medical staff involved. Our compassionate attorneys and staff can help you understand your legal rights and options, investigate the case, and gather evidence to support claims.

In addition, we will help you navigate the legal system, which can be daunting and overwhelming, especially during such a difficult and emotional time. Our attorneys and staff will perform a myriad of functions for you including the process of filing a claim, negotiating with insurance companies, and pursuing legal action, if necessary, which is your right provided by the Seventh Amendment.

Furthermore, our firm helps you obtain compensation for financial losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In cases involving wrongful death, we help you obtain damages for the loss of a loved one and the emotional and financial impact it has on you.

Overall, seeking the advice of our birth injury and wrongful death attorneys is crucial if you have been affected by pregnancy-related death or childbirth injury. We provide legal guidance and support, navigate the complex legal system, and help you obtain the compensation you need deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered a pregnancy-related injury or wrongful death, seek the advice of Warshauer Woodward Atkins attorneys at no cost to you. We have been helping people in these cases for nearly 30 years. Call us (404) 620-6304, we understand what you are going through.