Findings from data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that minority women, specifically Black and Hispanic women, are among the populations most drastically affected by these trends. Medical Malpractice attorney Sarah F. King, a partner at Clifford Law Offices, says this information is concurrent with patterns seen in her maternal mortality and birth injury representation work.

“Sadly, this devastating trend is consistent with my experience litigating and trying maternal death cases. New data shows that 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, yet the number of deaths continues to rise. That is unacceptable. When the preventable death of a mother occurs we must investigate the case and hold those responsible accountable or things will never change. ”
-Sarah F. King, partner at Clifford Law Offices

The Data
The article, titled, “U.S. Maternal Mortality Hits Highest Level Since 1965,” reveals that despite medical advances in women’s health, the number of deaths during or after pregnancy rose 40% from 861 in 2020 to 1,205 in 2021. The number of deaths in 2019 was 754, according to the CDC.

With these numbers, the U.S. maternal mortality rate rose to 33 deaths per 100,000 births, reaching an all-time high since 1965 and a significant jump from a rate of 24 deaths per 100,000 births in 2020 and a rate of 20 in 2019. To help place this in perspective, maternal mortality rates in other developed countries come in at about a third of the U.S. rate with France, the U.K., and Canada at eight, 10, and 11 deaths per 100,000 births respectively in 2020.

An article on healthcare for women by The Commonwealth Fund corroborates the data from the CDC adding that “High rates of avoidable deaths often indicate shortcomings in public health and care delivery systems.”

Cases Close to Home
Over the last decade, Sarah King and the team of medical malpractice attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have handled a number of significant maternal mortality cases that were the result of various negligence including improper cesarean section delivery, delayed care, and excessive bleeding from a placental abruption.

Despite the team’s success bringing to justice hospitals, doctors, and facilities responsible for maternal deaths, Sarah knows that as an injury attorney, her role in helping victims of these cases is generally retroactive.

While a number of settlements and verdicts remain confidential due to the nature of the cases, Sarah and Keith A. Hebeisen, partner at Clifford Law Offices, obtained an $8.5 million settlement on behalf of a mother who died after childbirth at Stroger Hospital following the medical team’s failure to recognize and treat signs and symptoms of ongoing bleeding from a placental abruption.

Working on cases like the one mentioned above, Sarah has seen how close to home this issue truly is. She and Keith spoke on public radio to bring attention to the need for proper medical care for women in Illinois, especially expectant mothers, and how the civil justice system can help to investigate what went wrong and discover how to better prevent these types of tragic errors from happening.

“Maternal morbidity in the United States and in the state of Illinois is a problem. The civil justice system is part of the solution. Investigating the cause of death and identifying what went wrong helps to protect moms. The reality is that a majority of these deaths are 100 percent preventable. Hopefully, our work will bring some closure to families and shed further light on systemic failures that are costing mothers’ lives.”
-Sarah F. King

Causes of Preventable Pregnancy Deaths
According to the CDC, cardiovascular conditions such as pulmonary embolisms, uncontrolled bleeding, and hypertension are among the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. While some of these instances happen at the hands of medical malpractice or negligence, reports also show that limited access to regular healthcare and quality medical treatment is part of the problem.

Pregnancy requires regular medical treatment and health monitoring, but for many women in the U.S., especially those in marginalized groups or rural areas, these health services are out of reach financially.

At a 2021 news conference Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike shared that each year an average of 75 women in Illinois die within a year of pregnancy, stating, “Reviewing and addressing maternal mortality is important because it’s a key indicator of the well-being our community and can reflect trends overall in the health of women of reproductive age.”

What’s Being Done
The World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goal is to reduce global maternal mortality to less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Global data visualizations show that drastic measures will need to be taken in order to reach that goal.

In Illinois, Sarah King continues to work towards holding negligent medical providers accountable for deadly and preventable errors and sharing the reality of the systemic issues surrounding pregnancy and childbirth medical care in the United States.

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Clifford Law Offices attorneys Robert A. Clifford, Susan A. Capra, Keith A. Hebeisen, and Joseph T. Murphy, represented the family. According to Capra, partner at Clifford Law Offices, “Twin A’s severe injuries were totally preventable if she had not sustained trauma to her head during the delivery. She will require a lifetime of expensive medical care and caretaking”. The birth injury case was settled just before jury selection.

The post Clifford Law Offices Obtains $27 Million Birth Injury Settlement appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

The trial, which took place in the Circuit Court of Cook County before Judge Israel Desierto, spanned two weeks.

The plaintiff had a positive pregnancy test on Oct. 29, 2015, two years after undergoing a sterilization procedure called Adiana. A first-trimester ultrasound was performed by Dr. Shamin Patel of Adventist Health Partners on Nov. 12, 2015, where the mother was told that the baby did not have a heart beat and she had miscarried. A dilation and curettage procedure was scheduled six days later.

During the dilation and curettage procedure, Dr. Patel testified something did not feel right, which caused her to call in an ultrasonographer for guidance. The ultrasonographer immediately discovered a heartbeat and live 13-week-old baby, so the procedure was aborted. The mother experienced a spontaneous rupture of membranes approximately three weeks later on Dec. 5, 2015, due to a uterine infection caused by the dilation and curettage procedure.

The plaintiff proved at trial that the defendant physician violated the standard of care in her performance and interpretation of the Nov. 12, 2015, first-trimester ultrasound. Specifically, the plaintiff proved that the physician actually measured the umbilical cord, and not the fetus itself, and negligently diagnosed a miscarriage.

“The jury carefully considered the facts and deliberated to reach the right and just decision,” Cosgrove said. “The negligence here was compounded by medical professionals who refused to take responsibility for their wrongful actions.”

The plaintiff was also represented by Clifford Law Offices’ associate Charles R. Haskins.

Defense Counsel:

• Susan Hannigan
• Brad Schneiderman
• Johnson and Bell

The post Clifford Law Offices Obtains Record Verdict for Miscarriage appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

If you notice your baby has uneven facial features, take them to see a pediatrician right away. Ask to examine Facial Nerve Palsy and related injuries such as Erb’s Palsy.

What Causes Facial Nerve Palsy?

Tragically, most Facial Nerve Palsy cases are preventable. In many instances, medical malpractices could lead to a baby with nerve issues, and this negligence could look like:

• Improper use of forceps
• Rough treatment of the baby during or shortly after birth
• Incorrect use of medication
• Moving the mother too harshly during labor
• Not performing a cesarean section (C-section) when needed

What Damages Could You Recover?

A birth injury lawsuit could result in financial compensation for the medical bills, lost income, mental anguish, emotional suffering, loss of quality of life, lifelong medical costs, and so forth. Clifford Law Offices regularly secures high-value settlements and verdicts for medical malpractice clients.

A few recent birth injury lawsuit results include:

$20 Million: June 2021. A newborn boy suffered severe and permanent brain damage due to negligent obstetrical care during labor.

$51 Million: December 2019. A newborn who sustained brain damages due to negligence during birth.

Get The Help You Need and Deserve

The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago understand how devastating birth injuries can be for new parents. We have secured over $5 billion in compensation, and we treat each client like our own family members. For a free and confidential consultation, call 312-899-9090 or fill out our online form.

The post What is Facial Nerve Palsy? appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Stanford Children’s Health estimates that about 1 to 5 in 100 women experience postpartum hemorrhage, and that it is more likely to occur with a cesarean birth. Meanwhile, a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that up to 70 percent of hemorrhage-related obstetric deaths, including postpartum hemorrhage, could be prevented by hospitals if the condition is recognized and dealt with properly.

Causes of Postpartum Hemorrhage

After a baby is delivered, the uterus contracts to push out the placenta. Once the placenta is delivered, the contractions put pressure on the bleeding vessels from which the placenta was detached to stop the bleeding. The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage is a failure of the uterus to contract enough and these vessels continue to bleed.

Other causes can include tears in the cervix or tissues of the vagina, a tear in a blood vessel of the uterus, hematoma (blood outside the blood vessels), blood clotting disorders, and placenta abnormalities.

Certain risk factors are associated with postpartum hemorrhage, including a previous history of postpartum hemorrhage, blood conditions, having a long labor, and issues that affect the placenta.

Signs of Postpartum Hemorrhage

The most common symptoms for postpartum hemorrhage are:

• Uncontrolled/excessive bleeding
• Decreased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• A decrease in red blood cell count

These symptoms look like other health conditions, so it is important that your healthcare provider performs the proper tests in order to make the correct diagnosis. A competent provider will review your health history and potentially run a number of tests to estimate how much blood you have lost, your red blood cell count, clotting factors, and pulse and blood pressure.

It is also important to have a healthcare provider team that can recognize and diagnose the signs of postpartum hemorrhage early and take action.

If a doctor or nurse recognizes the early warning signs of postpartum hemorrhage and fails to act in a timely manner, you could be at greater risk of injury. Postpartum hemorrhage is a very serious condition that can lead to death if not properly treated. It is important to have a healthcare team you can trust to adhere to their duty of care during your pregnancy and delivery.

If you believe your injury is the result of someone’s negligence, it is best to speak with an experienced birth injury lawyer about the details of your case. For decades, attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have represented clients with birth injury cases. We are here to help you through this challenging time. Please reach out to us today or call 312-899-9090.

The post What Is Postpartum Hemorrhage? appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Who is at risk for gestational diabetes?

Every pregnant woman should be screened for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Some women are at an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes. Reported risk factors include, obesity, gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, advanced maternal age (over 35) and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. There is a higher incidence of gestational diabetes in Asian, Native American, African American and Hispanic women.

If a mother or baby suffers injures resulting from undiagnosed gestational diabetes, an obstetrician may be held liable in an obstetrical negligence lawsuit. In a woman without pre-existing diabetes, screening for gestational diabetes should be done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, the obstetrician will begin with a simple glucose screening blood test. The mother drinks a liquid containing sugar (glucose). Blood is drawn one hour later. If the blood sugar level is abnormally high, the obstetrician will order a three-hour glucose tolerance test. With a three-hour glucose tolerance test, blood is drawn at the beginning of the test and then the mother drinks liquid containing glucose. Blood is then drawn every 60 minutes for three hours. If the blood sugar levels are high, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is confirmed.

What can happen to mothers and babies if gestational diabetes is not properly managed?

If not properly managed, gestational diabetes can lead to problems in both the baby and the mother leading to an obstetrical negligence lawsuit. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes can be born early (preterm). Babies of mother with gestational diabetes can have excessive weight at birth. This condition is called macrosomia. A macrosomic infant can have trouble passing through the birth canal. The shoulder of a macrosomic infant can get caught on the mother’s pelvic bones (shoulder dystocia) resulting in permanent nerve injuries in the baby’s shoulder and arm (brachial plexus injury). Large infants can also have low blood sugars at birth (hypoglycemia) which can cause brain damage. Unfortunately, there is higher risk of stillbirth among infants of diabetic mothers.

Mothers are at risk too when gestational diabetes is not properly managed. The cause of injuries to the mother is usually the result of a large baby. A large baby can cause problems during labor, trauma to the birth canal (tears) and bleeding after delivery (post-partum hemorrhage). There is a higher Cesarean section rate in mothers with gestational diabetes. High blood pressure and preeclampsia can also develop in a woman with gestational diabetes.

What happens during pregnancy once gestational diabetes is diagnosed?

Once gestational diabetes is diagnosed, the pregnancy must be closely monitored with frequent prenatal visits. Mothers with gestational diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels. A healthy diet and exercise may be all that is needed to treat the gestational diabetes. The mother may be referred to a dietician for dietary counseling. If diet and exercise are not effective in controlling the gestational diabetes, oral medications will be ordered. If oral medications fail, insulin injections may be necessary.

In addition to closely monitoring the mother, the obstetrician should closely monitor the baby. Additional testing may be done to check the well-being of the baby at prenatal visits. Ultrasounds will be done to monitor the size and growth of the baby. If the baby is getting too large due to the gestational diabetes, labor may be induced early before the due date. If the obstetrician determines the baby is too large to pass through the birth canal, a Cesarean section will be recommended for the health of the mother and baby.

What to do if you’ve been injured from the improper management of gestational diabetes?

The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have the extensive expertise needed to ensure that a mother and baby injured by the mismanagement of gestational diabetes by an obstetrician, receive full and fair compensation. Because of the special nature and complexity of cases involving gestational diabetes, you need experienced and dedicated attorneys. You need attorneys who have the time and resources to consult with obstetrical experts specializing in gestational diabetes to present the case to the jury in a manner allowing for a full recovery. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices are committed to fighting for mothers and babies who have been injured from the improper management of gestational diabetes. They have the knowledge, expertise, and a long record of success in handling casing involving gestational diabetes. If you or your baby suffered an injury resulting from gestational diabetes, please call us today at 312-899-9090. We are here to help you.

The post Gestational Diabetes: The Importance of Timely Diagnosis and Proper Treatment appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Antenatal testing is offered to most women in developing countries. Having these tests done should not be a reason for you to worry about your health or the welfare of your baby. Rather, antenatal testing provides important information about your health and the health of your developing baby and can even help your obstetrician timely diagnose and treat pregnancy complications.

What is antenatal testing?

The word “antenatal” simply means “before birth.” It follows, then, that antenatal testing is a series of tests given to expecting women before the baby is born. The goal of antenatal testing is to help the patient’s obstetrical team evaluate both the mother and baby during the pregnancy.

Who needs it?

All pregnant women are encouraged to undergo regular checkups and testing with their obstetrical team throughout the course of the pregnancy. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai notes that antenatal testing is especially important for women that may be at risk for birth defects or problems during delivery. Examples include:

• Those with pregnancies that have gone beyond their due date
• Patients with diabetes or high blood pressure
• Patients who have had multiple pregnancies
• Those who experience bleeding during pregnancy
• Individuals with too much or too little amniotic fluid
• Pregnancies with poor fetal growth

What is involved?

Antenatal testing involves an evaluation of both the mother and baby during the pregnancy:

Mother: At each prenatal visit, there will be an assessment of any symptoms the mother might be experiencing. Blood pressure and weight are checked. A urine sample will be tested for protein and glucose (sugar). The uterus will be measured. The purpose of antenatal testing on the mother is to monitor for conditions during pregnancy that requires special attention such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

Baby: The baby will be assessed during the pregnancy. The baby’s heart rate will be checked at each prenatal visit. The most common antenatal tests done on the baby include fetal movement counts (kick counts), an ultrasound, a non-stress test (NST), and a biophysical profile (BPP).

1. Fetal movement or kick counts – Expecting mothers are usually very aware of the movement of the baby. If a decrease in movement is appreciated by the mother, the obstetrician will ask the mother to count the movements of the baby. In general, if the baby does not move 10 times in approximately 1-2 hours, the obstetrician may recommend further testing.
2. Non-stress test (NST) – A NST is another test to determine the health of your baby. An NST is a non-invasive test that monitors the baby’s heart rate with the use of an electronic fetal monitor. Accelerations (increases) in the heart rate are a good sign of fetal health. If two heart rate accelerations are seen on the monitor in 20 minutes, the test is deemed Reactive (normal).
3. Ultrasounds – Your obstetrician might order ultrasound examinations of the baby. It is common for pregnant women to have at least two ultrasound examinations during the pregnancy. Of course, more ultrasounds may be done during the pregnancy as needed. The first ultrasound is typically done during the first trimester of pregnancy to confirm the pregnancy, confirm the number of babies, confirm the fetal heart rate, and estimate the due date of the baby. The second ultrasound is done around at 20 weeks to assess the baby for any abnormalities. The second ultrasound confirms the due date, estimates the amount of amniotic fluid, and determines the location of the placenta.
4. Biophysical Profile (BPP) – A BPP uses an electronic fetal monitor and an ultrasound. The BPP measures the baby’s heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing, and the amount of amniotic fluid. A perfect score is a 10. A score of 6 or below may indicate problems with the baby requiring delivery.

All these tests exist to assess the development and well-being of the baby, to detect any conditions that may be developing, and to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery for you and your baby.

Am I required to do antenatal testing?

In the United States, no woman is required by law to seek prenatal care or undergo antenatal testing. However, it is highly important that you do so. Complications can arise during pregnancy. Unchecked, they can lead to lifelong conditions in the child such as Cerebral Palsy, which currently has no cure and impacts a child’s ability to move, think, and speak.

Beyond catching and possibly stopping certain conditions, antenatal testing can provide useful information for you about diet and exercise during pregnancy, your options when it comes to labor and delivery, and answer other questions you may have.

Finally, antenatal testing can be of great assistance if you find yourself having to grapple with filing a birth injury case after your baby is born. During prenatal care, an obstetrician can be negligent in many ways. While in an ideal world, obstetrical negligence would never happen, it unfortunately does occur when the obstetrician fails to provide proper obstetrical care. If the obstetrician has failed to perform antenatal testing,  failed to accurately interpret antenatal testing, or failed to appropriately respond to abnormal antenatal testing, and his or her actions lead to injuries to either you or your baby, you may be able to file a claim for damages. Having records of antenatal testing that show you were diligent about your health throughout the pregnancy can provide important evidence in such a case.

Clifford Law Offices strongly believes that every expecting mother has the right to proper obstetrical care during her pregnancy. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices are committed to fighting for families impacted by a health care provider’s negligence. If you or your baby have suffered a birth injury that you believe stems from negligence involving antenatal testing, do not hesitate to get help. Please reach out to us today or call 312-899-9090. We are here to help you.

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 Preeclampsia is known as a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy and the risk of developing it increases as a mother approaches term. According to ACOG (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), preeclampsia complicates 2-8 % of pregnancies around the world each year.  

ACOG has published diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia which include parameters for blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg on two or more occasions at least for hours apart after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a woman with previously normal blood pressure; or systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or more or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg or more) and protein in the urine (300 mg or more in a 24-hour urine collection; or a protein/creatinine ratio of 0.3 or more; or a urine dipstick reading of 2+). Sometimes a woman with high blood pressure meeting the diagnostic criteria will be diagnosed with preeclampsia even if they do not have proteinuria (protein in the urine) but have other abnormalities with the kidneys, blood, liver, lungs, or a new-onset headache that is unresponsive to medication. Thus, it is of utmost importance that you be monitored closely by your obstetrician during your pregnancy for the development of preeclampsia so it can be successfully treated.

While the exact cause of preeclampsia is debated among medical experts, certain risk factors in a mother increase the risk of developing preeclampsia. Those risk factors include first pregnancy, preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, hypertension, preexisting diabetes, gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), lupus, obesity, and advanced maternal age. However, most cases of preeclampsia develop in healthy women pregnant for the first time with no risk factors. Therefore, it is important that your obstetrician monitor your pregnancy closely for the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia even in the absence of risk factors.

Some common signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include high blood pressure, proteinuria, edema (swelling), abnormal weight gain, headaches, upper abdominal pain, vision changes, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Some women experience only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. At each prenatal visit, your obstetrician should be performing a physical examination for signs and symptoms of preeclampsia. You must be weighed at each visit and have a blood pressure check. A urine sample should be checked for protein. It is vital to see your doctor regularly during your pregnancy so that any signs and symptoms of preeclampsia can be caught and diagnosed early. If you or your baby suffered injuries because your obstetrician failed to properly monitor you for preeclampsia during your prenatal care, there may be grounds to file an obstetrical negligence lawsuit.

If preeclampsia is not timely diagnosed and treated, it can cause injury and/or death to the mother. Women with preeclampsia can develop damage to their kidneys, liver, and other vital organs. A placental abruption (a premature separation of the placenta from the uterus) can occur with preeclampsia. A placental abruption causes serious bleeding endangering both the life of the mother and baby. If left untreated preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia. Eclampsia is an obstetrical emergency with the onset of seizures in the mother. A woman who develops eclampsia requires immediate hospitalization, delivery of the baby, and medications to stop the seizures (magnesium sulfate). Uncontrolled eclampsia can lead to brain damage and death. Another severe complication of preeclampsia is HELLP syndrome which is diagnosed by hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. HELLP syndrome can lead to liver damage in the mother.

Untreated preeclampsia is also detrimental to the baby. Preeclampsia affects the placental causing decreased delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. A decrease in oxygen and nutrients impairs the growth of the baby which can lead to brain damage. Premature births are also more common in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Premature babies can have many issues including breathing problems and bleeding in the brain. Premature babies are at an increased risk for cerebral palsy.

Treatment for preeclampsia must take into consideration the severity of the condition, the health of the mother and baby, and how far along the pregnancy has progressed. Delivering the baby usually resolves the symptoms of preeclampsia. If the pregnancy is 37 weeks or later, obstetricians will usually recommend the delivery of the baby. If the pregnancy is less than 37 weeks, the obstetrician may consider monitoring the pregnancy to give the baby more time to develop based on the severity of the preeclampsia. If the decision is made to continue the pregnancy, very close monitoring must be done which may include admission to the hospital. If you or your baby suffered injuries because your obstetrician failed to properly treat you for preeclampsia during your prenatal care, there may be grounds to file an obstetrical negligence lawsuit.

If you suspect you or your baby suffered an injury from preeclampsia, it is important to do a review of the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have extensive experience in cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat preeclampsia resulting in both injury and death to both the mother and baby. Clifford Law Offices has had numerous settlements and verdicts in preeclampsia cases. The attorneys are very familiar with the condition and have worked on cases with world-renowned medical experts in preeclampsia. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices will do a thorough, honest review of your potential preeclampsia case. 

Because of the special nature of cases involving preeclampsia, you need an experienced, dedicated, and compassionate attorney. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have extensive experience and are committed to fighting for families impacted by a health care provider’s negligence. If you believe you or your baby has suffered an injury related to preeclampsia resulting from medical or nursing negligence, please reach out to us today or call 312-899-9090. We are here to help you. 

The post Preeclampsia and Obstetrical Negligence appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Your first prenatal visit should take place soon as you reasonably believe you might be pregnant after missing a menstrual period. Most first prenatal visits are at approximately 2 months into the pregnancy. At the initial prenatal visit, the health of the mother and baby will be assessed. The obstetrical provider will do a complete history looking specifically at the health of the mother focusing on genetic, medical, obstetrical, and psychosocial factors. A physical exam, including a pelvic exam, will be done. Various blood and urine testing will be obtained. At the first prenatal visit, the expected delivery date (EDD) will be determined based on the date of the mother’s last menstrual period. A plan will be set out for the continuation of prenatal care.

During the prenatal course, a pregnant woman should see her obstetrical provider at regular intervals for monitoring. The point of regular prenatal visits is to screen for problems that may arise during the pregnancy. Diagnosing a health condition or complication early allows the obstetrical provider to treat the mother immediately and avoid harm to the baby during or after birth. The frequency of prenatal visits usually reflects the following schedule:

• Once every four weeks during the first six to seven months of pregnancy
• Every other week during weeks 31 through 37
• Every seven days after week 37 until birth

At each prenatal visit, the obstetrical provider will do an examination ensuring that the pregnancy is progressing normally and will screen for problems. At each visit, there will be an assessment of any symptoms the mother might be having such as headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, leakage of amniotic fluid, or urinary complaints. A blood pressure and weight rechecked. A urine sample will be tested for protein and glucose (sugar). The uterus will be measured. Fetal heart rate and movement are assessed. Good prenatal care also includes teaching at each prenatal visit informing the mother what to expect as the pregnancy progresses towards delivery.

A mother might have various complaints during the pregnancy that are not concerning such as fatigue, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, heartburn, constipation, and backache. A common complaint during the first part of pregnancy is morning sickness characterized by nausea and possibly vomiting. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition of severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that results in weight loss and may require hospitalization. However, most women experience simple morning sickness, not hyperemesis gravidarum. A mother with morning sickness may require a prescription for nausea medicine. Other medications commonly taken during pregnancy include prenatal vitamins. Some women also require supplemental iron if they develop anemia during pregnancy.

Some mothers will develop conditions during pregnancy that require special attention. One such condition that can develop pregnancy is gestational diabetes. Women will usually be tested for gestational diabetes between the 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes, which only occurs during pregnancy, may require consultation with a dietician and in some cases insulin therapy during the pregnancy. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause premature delivery, a high birth weight (macrosomia), and other complications.

Another condition that can develop during pregnancy is preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is known as a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy and the risk of developing it increases as a mother approaches term. Your obstetrical provider will screen you for preeclampsia at prenatal visits by checking your blood pressure and testing your urine for protein. Preeclampsia can negatively affect both the mother and baby. Thus, it is of utmost importance that you be monitored closely by your obstetrician during your pregnancy for the development of preeclampsia so it can be successfully treated.

During a normal pregnancy, the obstetrical provider might order ultrasound examinations of the baby. It is common for pregnant women to have at least two ultrasound examinations during the pregnancy. Of course, more ultrasounds may be done during the pregnancy as needed. The first ultrasound is typically done during the first trimester of pregnancy. The purpose of the ultrasound is to confirm the pregnancy, confirm the number of babies, confirm the fetal heart rate, and estimate the due date of the baby. Sometimes there is a discrepancy of the due date based on the woman’s recollection of the date of her last menstrual period and the ultrasound due date. Most obstetricians will use the ultrasound due date if the mother is unsure of the date of her last menstrual period.

The second ultrasound is done around 20 weeks gestation. The purpose of the second ultrasound is to do a critical anatomical examination of the baby looking for abnormalities. Some abnormalities in a baby can be treated before birth. Other abnormalities in the baby will be treated after birth. The second ultrasound will confirm the due date of the baby. It will assess the amount of amniotic fluid. The location of the placenta will be determined. The placenta is usually at the top of the uterus. However, in a condition call placenta previa, the placenta either totally or partially covers the cervix. Placenta previa can result in heavy vaginal bleeding. A C-section may be recommended to deliver the baby if placenta previa is diagnosed.

A normal pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks. A pregnancy that reaches 42 weeks is known as a post-term pregnancy. Post-term pregnancies carry risks for both the mother and baby. Therefore, obstetrical providers will often do testing after 40 weeks to confirm the health of the baby. One such test is a Non-Stress Test (NST). A NST is a non-invasive test that monitors the baby’s heart rate with the use of an electronic fetal monitor. Accelerations (increases) in the heart rate are a good sign of fetal health. If two heart rate accelerations are seen on the monitor in 20 minutes, the test is deemed Reactive (normal). Another test is known as a Biophysical Profile (BPP). It uses an electronic fetal monitor and an ultrasound. The BPP measures the baby’s heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing, and the amount of amniotic fluid. A perfect score is a 10. A score of 6 or below may indicate problems with the baby requiring delivery.

During prenatal care, an obstetrical provider can be negligent in many ways. The obstetrical provider may fail to conduct proper monitoring and testing during the prenatal period. The obstetrical provider may fail to diagnose a condition during pregnancy. He or she may fail to appropriately treat a condition that develops during the pregnancy. Thus, it is vitally important to get regular and competent care during your pregnancy because negligent prenatal care can harm both the mother and baby.

Every expecting mother has the right to proper health care during her pregnancy. If you or your child suffered an injury that you believe stems from negligent prenatal care, it is important to do a review of the care rendered. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have extensive experience in cases involving negligent prenatal care and will do a thorough, honest review of your potential obstetrical malpractice case.

Because of the special nature of cases obstetrical cases, you need an experienced, dedicated, and compassionate attorney. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices are committed to fighting for families impacted by a health care provider’s negligence. If you believe you or your baby has suffered an injury related to negligent prenatal care, please reach out to us today or call 312-899-9090. We are here to help you.

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Hydrocephalus in infants can be congenital or acquired. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at the time of birth or develops shortly after delivery.  Congenital hydrocephalus has many causes. For example, congenital hydrocephalus may be caused by abnormal brain development or a prenatal infection.

Acquired hydrocephalus occurs any time after birth. With infants, hydrocephalus can be the result of bleeding in the brain due to a traumatic birth. For example, bleeding in the brain can occur if an obstetrician incorrectly uses equipment like forceps or a vacuum during the delivery.  The failure to perform a C-section leading to a traumatic delivery with bleeding in the brain is a serious risk factor for hydrocephalus.

If your infant experienced a traumatic delivery with brain bleeding, especially if born prematurely, he or she should be monitored closely for the development of hydrocephalus. It is important to diagnose hydrocephalus early because a delay in the diagnosis can lead to permanent brain damage or even death. Clinical signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus in infancy include a bulging fontanelle (soft spot), an increased head circumference, abnormal movements, vomiting, irritability, lethargy and seizures. The diagnosis of hydrocephalus is confirmed in an infant with various types of head imaging studies such as ultrasounds (as long as the fontanelle is open), a CT (computed tomography) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Once diagnosed, although not curable, hydrocephalus is treatable. If your infant is diagnosed with hydrocephalus, you will be referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon for treatment. The goal of treatment with hydrocephalus is to reduce pressure in the infant’s head by draining the CSF to allow for proper brain development. Treatment depends on the age and severity of the condition. The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is a surgical procedure involving the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. With a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, a tube is placed in a dilated ventricle in the brain. The tubing is then tunneled under the skin to the abdomen where it drains CFS into the peritoneal cavity where it is reabsorbed by the body. Another surgical treatment for hydrocephalus is an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). With ETV, an opening is created at the bottom of the third ventricle to allow drainage of CSF from the brain.

After your infant has been treated for hydrocephalus, he or she will need regular medical follow-up. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts can malfunction or become infected. A shunt malfunction or infection must be promptly treated to avoid injury and death. An infant/child with hydrocephalus will regularly need to see a pediatric neurosurgeon. Head imaging, most commonly a CT scan, is needed if a shunt malfunction is suspected. Multiple surgeries may be needed to treat shunt malfunctions and infections. Some children with hydrocephalus require additional services such as physical therapy.

The birth injury lawyers at Clifford Law Offices are very qualified to discuss the potential causes of hydrocephalus in your infant/child. They have handled numerous cases over the years involving hydrocephalus, including a wrongful death case of a young man with congenital hydrocephalus from the failure to diagnose and treat a shunt malfunction. They commonly handle birth injury cases involving serious brain injuries to infants from forceps and vacuums used during difficult deliveries. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices are very knowledgeable based on their experience, knowledge of the medical literature as well as by consultation with leading experts in the field. Also, Clifford Law Offices has an attorney/registered nurse on staff, Susan A. Capra, who formerly worked with infants and children with hydrocephalus both on the neurosurgery unit and in the operating room at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

If you suspect your baby or child has hydrocephalus resulting from a birth injury, it is important to do a review of the circumstances surrounding the birth. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have the extensive experience needed to perform a thorough review to determine if there has been medical negligence.  A thorough, honest review of your potential case by the attorneys at Clifford Law Offices can offer peace of mind that you have done everything possible to protect your infant’s rights and to provide for his or her future needs.

Because of the special nature of birth injury cases resulting in hydrocephalus, you need experienced and dedicated attorneys. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices are committed to fighting for families impacted by a health care provider’s negligence. If you think your baby or child has hydrocephalus that you believe is a result of medical negligence, please reach out to us today or call 312-899-9090. We are here to help you.

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