Chicago Uterine Rupture Attorney
During pregnancy or during childbirth, a pregnant woman can experience a uterine rupture that must be properly identified and treated by a healthcare provider. While uterine ruptures are uncommon, they are extremely serious. According to WebMD, during pregnancy, the walls of the uterus typically will expand to accommodate the growing size of the baby, and then the uterus will shrink back to a pre-pregnancy size after the baby’s birth. The soft tissue that makes up the walls of the uterus is designed to expand in this way during a pregnancy, but in some cases, the pressure of the growing fetus can result in a dangerous uterine rupture. If a doctor fails to identify risks of a uterine rupture or fails to properly treat a uterine rupture during pregnancy or childbirth, you may be able to file a birth injury lawsuit. An experienced Chicago uterine rupture attorney at our firm can help.
What is a Uterine Rupture in Chicago?
What is a uterine rupture? According to Merck, a uterine rupture can be defined as the “spontaneous tearing of the uterus that may result in the fetus being expelled into the peritoneal cavity.” WebMD explains that uterine ruptures occur most often in pregnant women who have a history of a previous cesarean section (C-section). Since a pregnant person’s uterus must be cut open in order to deliver the baby during a cesarean section, there is a scar line that remains. When that woman gets pregnant again, there is an increased risk of a uterine rupture along that C-section scar line, where the uterus tends to be weaker.
Risk Factors and Causes of Uterine Ruptures in Chicago
There are multiple risk factors for a uterine rupture, however, that go beyond a previous C-section. Your doctor should be sure to speak with you about risk factors and should consider appropriate care during your pregnancy and during childbirth to avoid a uterine rupture. Common risk factors for a uterine rupture, according to Merck, include the following:
- Previous C-section;
- Congenital uterine abnormalities;
- Trauma; and
- Previous uterine surgical procedures that may include myomectomies or maternal-fetal surgeries.
When a uterine rupture does occur, what are the common causes? Consider the following causes listed by Merck:
- Uterine overdistension that is typically caused by fetal abnormalities, multifetal pregnancy, or polyhydramnios;
- External fetal version;
- Internal fetal version;
- Iatrogenic perforation;
- Use of uterotonics;
- Failure to identify labor dystocia; and/or
- Use of prostaglandins in pregnant women with a history of a C-section.
Chicago Signs of a Uterine Rupture
Ob-gyns and other healthcare providers attending to pregnant women during pregnancy and childbirth must recognize signs and symptoms of a uterine rupture and take immediate action. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Fetal bradycardia;
- Variable decelerations;
- Hypovolemia;
- Loss of fetal station; and
- Severe and constant abdominal pain.
Contact Our Chicago Uterine Rupture Injury Attorneys
If you experienced a uterine rupture, your healthcare provider may be liable for damages. One of our aggressive Chicago birth injury lawyers can evaluate your case for you today. Contact Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC to learn more about filing a claim.
