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Fighting for South Carolina Mothers Who Are Victims of Preeclampsia
Strong legal counsel when pregnant mothers suffer harm in Anderson, Rock Hill, Columbia, Sumter, and Georgetown
OB/GYNs should anticipate that mothers may contract preeclampsia during a pregnancy. About five percent of mothers develop it. The signature symptom is a rise in blood pressure. If not treated properly and in a timely manner, both the mother and child can suffer organ damage and other medical complications. Preeclampsia can be a life-threatening condition.
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, our South Carolina preeclampsia attorneys understand the risks and dangers mothers face during pregnancy. We have been helping families in Anderson, Rock Hill, Columbia, Sumter, and Georgetown get justice for OB malpractice for more than 20 years.
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Signs of preeclampsia
Some mothers with preeclampsia do not develop symptoms. However, for many mothers, these signs should be a red flag to the obstetricians and nurses that are guiding the mother through pregnancy:
- Swelling of the hands and face
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Severe headaches
- Pain below the rib cage
- Excess urine protein
- Bad liver function
Mothers who are at risk for preeclampsia include:
- Mothers 40 or older
- Mothers who had preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy
- Maternal obesity
- Mothers who have twins or multiple children
- Smokers
- Mothers with diabetes or lupus
You doctor should be looking out for these symptoms in order to properly diagnose and treat preeclampsia. If your doctor fails to do so, the consequences could be severe. Our South Carolina birth injury lawyers are prepared to defend your rights.
The dangers of preeclampsia
Both the moms and children face many health dangers if the mother develops preeclampsia. Some of the dangers are:
- Placental abruption
- Eclampsia, a severe form of preeclampsia that includes seizures
- Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP)
- Deprivation of oxygen to the newborn
- Cardiology and blood vessel disorders
Although there isn’t a cure yet for preeclampsia, there are some things doctors should do. Some medications such as low-dose aspirin and calcium supplements can help. Mothers should eat nutritiously and limit their salt consumption.
Mothers with preeclampsia should be monitored for the rest of the pregnancy. Doctors, nurses, and midwifes should place the mother on bed rest and watch the mother's weight, urine protein, and blood pressure. Her fluid levels should also be monitored. In extreme cases, an induced labor or C-section may be required.
If a doctor fails to properly care for a mother with preeclampsia, the mother and her family may have the right to pursue compensation through a lawsuit. Our South Carolina obstetrical malpractice attorneys are here to help.
Speak with an aggressive South Carolina medical malpractice lawyer for help with your preeclampsia case
Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals can be liable for medical negligence if they fail to properly diagnose preeclampsia, fail to mother and child, or fail to competently treat the disorder. At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, our South Carolina preeclampsia malpractice lawyers understand how to prove healthcare professionals failed to meet their professional standard of care. Please call 803-327-7800 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation. Our firm sees clients in and near Anderson, Rock Hill, Columbia, Sumter, and Georgetown.