For around 40 weeks a New Mexico woman may wait for the birth of her child. While most expectant mothers experience general discomfort and other mild ailments associated with their conditions, some develop serious and, in some cases, life-threatening complications that can jeopardize the safety of both mothers and unborn children. One of those complications is preeclampsia. While preeclampsia cannot be cured before a mother gives birth, it is imperative that her doctor monitor her for the condition and take proactive steps to keep her and her child safe if it becomes an issue.
Preeclampsia involves the rapid increase in a pregnant woman’s blood pressure. Doctors are expected to monitor pregnant women’s blood pressure to ensure that it is safe and when spikes arise they should do further tests to determine if the increases were temporary or a sign of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can cause maternal and fetal deaths as well as maternal strokes, seizures and organ failure.
A mother-to-be with preeclampsia may be given a different treatment plan than a mother-to-be who does not suffer from the condition. She may be expected to see her doctor more regularly to ensure that both she and her baby are safe.
When doctors ignore clear warning signs of preeclampsia, devastating outcomes can result. No family expects to leave a hospital without their newborn, and no mother should suffer serious medical complications that could have been prevented through the appropriate monitoring of her doctors. Although not all preeclampsia-related injuries and losses are the result of medical negligence, individuals who believe their doctors’ actions failed to protect them from preeclampsia complications may wish to discuss their cases with personal injury attorneys.