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Kentucky Postpartum Negligence Lawyers
Strong representation when doctors and hospitals fail to monitor mothers after delivery
The delivery of your child by a doctor or midwife at a hospital or any other location is an exhilarating but physically challenging experience. Medical providers need to monitor mothers for infections, vital signs, vaginal tears, and many other healthcare conditions - to ensure they are healthy enough to leave after childbirth and before their life journey with the newborn. At Crandall & Pera Law, we work with physicians who understand the quality of care mothers should receive after their child is born. Our Kentucky postpartum negligence lawyers hold negligent maternity care providers accountable for mothers who suffer injuries or die due to improper post-delivery care. We demand full compensation for the mother’s injuries. Call us today to discuss your rights.
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Table of Contents
- What is postpartum negligence?
- What are the physical symptoms of postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
- What are the emotional symptoms of postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
- What are the possible complications of postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
- Why should medical providers be held accountable for postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
- What damages can be awarded when mothers suffer postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
- Do you have a Kentucky postpartum negligence lawyer near me?
What is postpartum negligence?
After a mother delivers their child, she needs to be monitored in the hours, days, and weeks after giving birth. Hospital care or any other type of post-delivery care should, according to the Cleveland Clinic, continue for six to eight weeks (or until the mother’s health returns to its pre-pregnancy condition) after childbirth. Postpartum care focuses on the mother’s physical and emotional health.
Phases of postpartum care
Generally, there are three phases of postpartum care after birth:
- Acute phase. During the first 6 to 12 hours, medical providers should examine mothers for eclampsia, hemorrhaging (bleeding), heart rate, blood pressure, and excess swelling.
- Subacute phase. This phase starts after the acute phase and lasts for two to six weeks. Doctors should check for cardiomyopathy, postpartum depression, and symptoms related to urinary incontinence.
- Delayed phase. From 6 weeks to 6 months after childbirth, medical providers should check for pelvic floor dysfunction, painful sex, and uterine prolapse, among other conditions.
What are the physical symptoms of postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
Doctors and medical staff should monitor the following postpartum health conditions:
- The uterus. The mother’s uterus should be reduced to its normal size. The reduction process may cause vaginal bleeding and cramps. Medical care may include massaging the uterus through the belly.
- Hormonal changes. Doctors and nurses should monitor mothers for hot flashes, mood changes, headaches, and other symptoms.
- Breast engorgement. “Your breasts will produce milk, and even if you choose not to breastfeed (chest feed), you’ll have painful and swollen breasts.”
- Perineal soreness. Nearly 70 percent of mothers have some type of vaginal tearing during the birth of their child. Mothers who have a Cesarean section will have soreness around the site of the incision. “It’s normal to have pain in the space between your vagina and anus (butthole) if you gave birth vaginally.”
- Swelling due to excess fluids. A mother’s body accumulates a lot of liquid during pregnancy. Most swelling diminishes within a week. The postpartum care staff should be alert to chest pain and breathing difficulty symptoms.
- Fatigue from labor, childbirth, and the initial infant care period are common.
- Weight loss. Mothers can lose 10 to 20 pounds before they leave the hospital, have loose skin, and stretch marks.
- Other conditions, including:
- Vaginal discharge
- Sweating
- Constipation
- C-section recovery
- Hair loss
Other postpartum complications, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), include:
- Mood disorders. Care providers should explain where mothers can go for psychological support and any possible substance abuse support.
- Infant feeding. Mothers need to understand how to care for their newborn, including breast-feeding concerns, when and how else to feed their child, and other nutritional concerns.
- Physical therapy. Some mothers may need physical therapy to return to their pre-pregnancy health.
- Sexuality issues. Doctors should provide help (or explain where to get help) for issues such as resuming sexual relations, the timing and risks of further pregnancies, and other related issues.
- Other medical issues. These include pelvic examinations and health management for any medical disorders the mother may have due to her pregnancy/delivery.
What are the emotional symptoms of postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
Our Kentucky postpartum negligence lawyers review whether your doctors monitored any of the following dangers:
- The baby blues. It’s common for mothers to feel sad after giving birth.
- Postpartum depression. This emotional response is more severe than baby blues. It is a type of depression” that causes extreme sadness and despair in the weeks and months after childbirth.” Postpartum depression generally requires psychological counseling.
- Postpartum anxiety. This emotional response may be accompanied by “physical symptoms like losing sleep or heart palpitations.”
What are the possible complications of postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we hold doctors, hospitals, and other postpartum care professionals accountable if they fail to monitor and respond to the following dangers:
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Postpartum preeclampsia
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary embolism.
- Mental health conditions like postpartum rage or postpartum psychosis
- Sepsis
- Infections
- Many other health conditions
Why should medical providers be held accountable for postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
Our Kentucky postpartum negligence lawyers work with obstetricians, hospital administrators, psychologists, and other medical professionals to show why mothers suffer harm due to postpartum negligence – which is the failure to use competent medical standards and methods for the care of mothers after delivery. Our birth injury lawyers also formally question everyone who cared for mothers after childbirth.
Postpartum negligence includes:
- Failing to monitor mothers during each of the three phases of postpartum care
- Failing to explain the physical and emotional symptoms that mothers should look for
- Failing to properly diagnose and treat specific physical and emotional symptoms
- Failing to conduct routine diagnostic examinations
- Not recognizing and/or not treating any injuries to the mother during the delivery
- Not referring injured or ill mothers to proper specialists
- Releasing a mother from a hospital or medical care too early
- Not having the proper equipment and/or staff to provide competent postpartum medical care
- Not complying with acceptable medical standards
What damages can be awarded when mothers suffer postpartum negligence in Kentucky?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we work to verify the full scope and severity of a mother’s injuries. We demand compensation for your current and future:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, starting with caring for a newborn
- All other financial and personal damages
Do you have a Kentucky postpartum negligence lawyer near me?
Yes. At Crandall & Pera Law, we meet clients at our Lexington, Kentucky, office located at 201 E Main St., Suite 530. Our lawyers consult with mothers and families by phone and through online video consultations. If your postpartum injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we can make other arrangements to see you.
Our lawyers are here to answer your questions and explain your rights.
Speak with our experienced Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers today
We understand your fears and anxieties. Instead of focusing on raising your beautiful child, you have to confront your own health. At Crandall & Pera Law, we’ve helped many birth injury victims hold their medical providers accountable. Our Kentucky postpartum lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve so you can restore your health and focus on the joys of parenthood. Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent patients who suffer harm due to medical errors on a contingency fee basis.