Maternal Injury & Death Rates
An analysis by the CDC Foundation of maternal mortality data identified more than 20 “critical factors” that contribute to pregnancy-related deaths.
The reasons for higher maternal mortality in the U.S. may include several factors, including the following:
- Older mothers have more complex medical histories
- Lack of standardized hospital policies
- Inadequate clinical skills
- Failure to consult specialists
- Poor coordination of care
- More C-sections leads to more life-threatening complications
Medical professionals should be able to prevent most maternal deaths. It is argued that the American medical system is focused more on infant survival than on the mother’s health and well-being.
In fact, at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network, the preeminent U.S. obstetric research center, only four of the 34 online-listed initiatives target mothers—the other 30 aim to improve the lives of infants.
Forceps Delivery Injury
Obstetric forceps are often used to assist in a delivery. Using forceps, the doctor guides the baby through the birth canal. Unlike a vacuum, another common childbirth medical instrument, the use of forceps is delicate and requires a high level of skill and training.
Obstetricians in recent history have been using forceps regularly during childbirth. But there are cases when the medical device should not be used, and can harm the mother and infant. Delivery malpractice and birth injury cases arise when a delivering doctor makes a mistake with forceps, or utilize an improper tool during delivery.
Medical experts say the use of vacuums is now more common because they may be more forgiving and easier to use. When a baby shows signs of distress, a doctor must make a decision quickly. Some birth injury delivery malpractice cases involve mid-forceps deliveries.
A mid-forceps delivery is technically more difficult, and the risk of birth injury rises. Doctors will decide whether or not to perform a C-section delivery.
Postpartum Maternal Death
The Ohio standard of care requires nurses, doctors and your OB/GYN to detect complications before, during and after childbirth. If an OB/GYN or other medical staff is negligent and fails to properly diagnose serious medical conditions and a birth injury results, a delivery medical malpractice lawsuit may be considered.
Between 2011 and 2015, 3,410 pregnancy-related deaths occurred in the United States. About three of five of the pregnancy-related deaths were determined by MMRCs to be preventable.
The Lyon Firm represents plaintiffs in catastrophic injury cases and postpartum maternal death lawsuits. Hospitals and medical centers have a responsibility to protect pregnant women, not only during delivery but in the weeks to months after.
OB-GYN Negligence
Thousands of women in the United States each year suffer life-altering injuries or die during childbirth because hospitals and medical staff ignore safety practices and procedures. In the last 25 years, the number of maternal deaths in most developed nations has been flat or dropped. Yet in the U.S., the rate has risen.
Pregnancy-related conditions, like high blood pressure and blood clotting disorders, result in severe injuries, due sometimes in part to medical malpractice. When most people think about maternal deaths, they imagine medical emergencies like a hemorrhage while in labor.
But not all maternal deaths actually occur during childbirth. In fact, four out of five of maternal deaths happen in the weeks and months before or after birth. Much is to be investigated, including unsafe medical care, maternal education, and timely medical care.
After giving birth, women are sent home from the hospital, usually on their own until a consultation several weeks later. Between maternal checkups, mothers experience a myriad of health complications. Over time, the health risks become increasingly severe.
Experts are concerned with the gap between maternal and fetal and infant care. Mary D’Alton, chair of OB-GYN at Columbia University Medical Center, claims there is a lack of training at medical facilities. She says some doctors complete their maternal-fetal medicine training without spending time in a labor and delivery unit.
In maternity wards, babies are monitored more closely than mothers during and after birth. Newborns in the slightest danger are carried to intensive care units, staffed by highly trained specialists, while the mothers are lightly tended to by nurses and doctors, often unprepared for worst case scenarios.
When new mothers are discharged, they routinely receive information about how to breastfeed, but less likely to receive any information on how to tell if they need medical attention.
Doctors and nurses have faced numerous medical malpractice lawsuits after childbirth injuries, when those responsible for medical care fail to uphold basic safety guidelines and injuries occur. Doctors have been targeted in maternal injury claims for failing to prevent infection, track blood loss or administer proper medications.
Below are the other primary causes for maternal injuries and death, some of which are preventable with the right medical care:
- Preeclampsia & Eclampsia
- Postpartum deaths
- Air Embolism
- Post-surgical infection
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiovascular & Coronary Conditions
- Hemorrhage
