Women who are pregnant have likely heard that there are risks associated with going into labor. Some of those women might be at a greater risk than others when it comes to labor and delivery. One risk that some women face is that of a uterine rupture. Any woman who has had a C-section, fibroid removal, or any other surgery that cut into the uterine wall is at a greater risk of uterine rupture than other women. Any pregnant Kentucky resident might like to know more about uterine ruptures.
A uterine rupture occurs when a weak spot on the uterine wall tears. This is often caused by the strain put on the uterus as the woman has contractions. A woman who has a uterine rupture often experiences severe pain that feels almost like something ripping. The pain may then become diffuse and continue as labor moves forward.
While uterine ruptures occur in less than five out of every 1,000 pregnancies, women who are pregnant should know about them because there are some ways to minimize the risk of them. A woman who has had a C-section or surgery on the uterus shouldn’t have prosteglandins or medications like Pitocin.
A woman who has a uterine rupture during labor must undergo an immediate C-section with a uterine repair. In severe cases, a hysterectomy might be necessary. There is a risk of uncontrolled bleeding or that the baby might go through the wall of the abdomen, both of which might have devastating or fatal effects. Some women might also have to take antibiotics to prevent infection.
With the effects of a uterine rupture, it should come as no wonder that women with this emergency during labor might have considerable medical bills or lasting effects. In those cases, a woman might opt to seek compensation for her injuries or her baby’s injuries if there was any negligence or medical malpractice involved.
If you believe you have a valid Ohio or Kentucky birth injury case, speak with the Cincinnati and Covington medical malpractice attorneys at The Lawrence Firm, PSC as soon as possible.
Source: What to Expect, “Uterine Rupture During Pregnancy” Nov. 26, 2014