Michigan Post-Term Pregnancy Lawyer
Post Term/Prolonged Pregnancy
What is a Post Term or Prolonged Pregnancy?
The normal gestational cycle ends between 37 and 42 weeks—three weeks prior to and two weeks following your official due date. When pregnancy extends past the 42nd week, it is considered a post term pregnancy. Approximately 10 percent of all pregnancies are considered post-term. Fortunately, most of these are actually due date miscalculations and nothing more.
Complications
When any pregnancy continues beyond 40 weeks, the placenta that is designed to sustain a developing fetus in a perfect environment can begin to degrade. This could lead to a reduction in nutrients and oxygen being transported to the baby. Conversely, if the placenta maintains good health, the baby will continue to grow, often necessitating a C-section delivery—as large babies are at greater risk of becoming stuck in the birth canal and consequently experiencing oxygen deprivation during vaginal delivery.
Furthermore, during the normal gestational period, the baby will absorb nutrients from the umbilical cord, passing waste into the amniotic fluid, which is then reabsorbed in a continuous cycle. After the 42nd week, the chance of the baby having a bowel movement greatly increases. If this should occur, contamination of the amniotic fluid is a serious risk to the baby’s life.
Proper Monitoring is Essential
It should be a priority for your obstetrician to carefully monitor your pregnancy if it enters post-term status. Evaluating the pregnancy and assessing the health of your baby may necessitate certain tests, including:
- counting of fetal movement – The health of the baby will be established by measuring and recording the number of movements and kicks the baby makes.
- non-stress test – A fetal monitor will be placed on the womb and will keep track of the baby’s heart rate during non-stressful times.
- ultrasound testing – Many healthcare professionals will order an ultrasound for post-term pregnancies. They will use this to establish the health of the placenta, track the activities of the baby in-utero, and to check the amount of amniotic fluid. Decreasing amniotic fluid may indicate a potential problem.
- biophysical profile – This testing includes ultrasound and NST, described above.
If your medical team keeps a close eye on both you and your unborn child, post-term delivery should not be an issue. However, if the professionals that you have entrusted with your health and the health of your baby are negligent and do not take the necessary steps during this crucial time, the results can be devastating. Brain damage and death can occur.
When Things Go Wrong
There is nothing worse than doing everything you are supposed to do, and then discover that the medical team you have been counting on did not do what they were paid to do. If you or your child has suffered due to the negligence of those you have entrusted with your very lives, it is time to call on the knowledgeable and compassionate legal professionals at Thurswell Law.
When your child has been harmed by negligence or incompetence in a post term/prolonged pregnancy situation, you have every right to seek monetary compensation on his or her behalf for medical bills, long-term care, pain and suffering, and other unforeseen expenses that may arise.
Call us toll-free today at 1-866-354-5544 for your free, no-obligation consultation. If you are unable to come to us, we will come to you. There’s no fee unless we collect.
