What to Know About Placenta Previa Birth Injuries

Everyone who is expecting a baby hopes for a healthy pregnancy and an uncomplicated delivery. Most of the time, that’s exactly what happens. But in some cases, complications can happen that lead to challenges during the pregnancy and a difficult birth. In the worst situations, those complications can lead to serious injuries to the mother or baby. One such complication is placenta previa.

What is Placenta Previa?

The placenta is a temporary organ that develops in the body of a pregnant person, connecting the uterus to the developing fetus through the umbilical cord. The fetus receives oxygen and nutrients through the placenta, carries waste and carbon dioxide away, and promotes the fetus’s growth.

In placenta previa, the placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus, blocking the opening to the birth canal in whole or in part. While a low-growing placenta is normal in the early part of pregnancy, it should move to the upper part of the uterus later in the pregnancy, so the baby can pass through the cervix. Some form of placenta previa happens in one out of 200 pregnancies.

The different types of placenta previa include:

• Complete placenta previa, in which the placenta completely covers the opening of the cervix
• Partial placenta previa, in which the placenta only partially covers the cervical opening
• Marginal placenta previa, in which the placenta is near the cervix but does not cover the opening

Placenta previa can happen in any pregnancy, but it is more likely when certain risk factors are present, such as an abnormally shaped uterus, or a history of many pregnancies or previous pregnancy with multiples (twins, triplets, etc.).

Placenta previa is also more common in people who have scarring on the lining of their uterus, or who have had placenta previa in a previous pregnancy. Pregnancies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) are two to three times more likely to result in placenta previa than pregnancies conceived naturally.

What Are Placenta Previa Injuries?

Placenta previa can cause a number of serious complications and injuries for mothers. It can cause life-threatening hemorrhage (severe bleeding) during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. If the situation is not properly managed, the mother might need blood transfusions or emergency surgery. Unsurprisingly, blood loss and the need for medical intervention increase the risk of serious infection.

Poorly managed placenta previa can also cause uterine contractions or premature rupture of membranes, leading to preterm labor. Yet another danger is an increased risk of placenta accreta, in which the placenta grows deeply into the wall of the uterus. Because it is more difficult for the placenta to detach from the uterine wall after the baby is delivered, the condition can cause serious bleeding. It may be necessary to perform a hysterectomy to control the bleeding.

Needless to say, any of these events can be traumatic to someone giving birth, leading to depression or other mental health issues, like PTSD, during the postpartum period. But the effects of placenta previa injuries are not limited to mothers; babies can be severely affected as well.

Placenta previa injuries to infants include complications of preterm birth, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), low birth weight, difficulties with feeding, and developmental delays. Prior to birth, placenta previa may compromise the function of the placenta, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Placenta previa can also necessitate a Caesarean section, but if there are delays in performing an emergency C-section, the baby can suffer hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which may lead to cerebral palsy (CP) or other neurological conditions. Tragically, in the most severe cases, placenta previa that is not adequately monitored and managed can lead to stillbirth.

Is Placenta Previa Caused By Medical Malpractice?

Placenta previa is not caused by medical malpractice, but medical malpractice can lead to placenta previa injuries. While the condition happens in less than 1% of pregnancies, it is still common enough that OB/GYNs should be familiar with it and prepared to address it. Placenta previa malpractice may look like one of the following scenarios:

• A patient has vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, but her medical team fails to perform diagnostic tests to identify or rule out placenta previa, leading to a delayed diagnosis and increased complications.
• The medical team fails to adequately inform the patient of the risks of placenta previa and what to do if she experiences certain symptoms. As a result of this lack of information, the patient fails to seek timely care and suffers harm that could have been prevented.
• A patient is diagnosed with placenta previa, but her medical team fails to adequately monitor her, such as by performing regular ultrasounds to evaluate the position of the placenta and the risk of bleeding.
• A patient has episodes of bleeding during pregnancy, but her medical team fails to promptly and appropriately manage them, such as through blood transfusions or hospitalization to stabilize the patient.
• The medical team fails to plan for a C-section, which is recommended for placenta previa. The patient suffers complications from a vaginal birth or emergency C-section.
• The medical team fails to plan for the increased risk of placenta accreta in a pregnancy involving placenta previa. Failing to prepare for such a complication causes the patient to lose her uterus when a hysterectomy becomes necessary to control bleeding from placenta accreta.

What to Do If You Experienced Placenta Previa

If you experienced placenta previa during your pregnancy and you or your child suffered complications, it’s possible that those complications were due to mismanagement of your condition. If so, you may be entitled to complications for your injuries.

The only way to be sure is to speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your situation. If you do have a claim, you have only a limited time to take action. To learn more about placenta previa and other birth injuries and your rights if injured, contact the Fraser Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.