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New Mothers Are at Risk of Injury Within the First Year After Birth
Even though the process of pregnancy and childbirth is experienced by women all over the world, it can still be risky for mothers. Various maternal injuries can occur during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and in the months following a child's birth. While medical professionals are often focused on addressing complications that occur during pregnancy and responding to issues that affect mothers during and immediately after delivery, recent research has found that many mothers continue to be affected by health concerns within the first year after a child is born. In fact, only around one-third of maternal deaths occur during pregnancy or delivery. One-third of deaths take place within six weeks after delivery, and another 30 percent of deaths occur between six weeks and one year. For every death that occurs, between 50 and 100 mothers suffer from serious complications that lead to long-term health issues.
UPDATE: Can Birth Injuries Lead to Hearing Loss for Children?
Originally published: September 11, 2020 -- Updated: June 5, 2023
Update: In addition to considering the potential causes of hearing loss for infants, parents will also need to understand the types of treatment that may be needed to address this issue and ensure that their child can grow and develop successfully while living a fulfilling life. The expenses related to hearing loss treatment can be significant, and parents may need to look at what forms of assistance may be available following a birth injury to ensure that they will be able to provide for their child’s needs.
For children with hearing loss, early intervention can be crucial. Ideally, a child can begin receiving services within the first six months after they are born. These services may evaluate the extent of their hearing loss and determine how to support the development of language and communication skills. By beginning treatment as early as possible, parents can provide their child and their family with the tools for ongoing success.
Does Premature Birth Increase the Risk of Injuries During Delivery?
There are certain risks associated with pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and complications can occur during childbirth that may lead to birth injuries. These risks can increase when a mother goes into labor before reaching her due date. Preterm labor can have a variety of effects on a child's health, and premature infants often require a high level of care and medical interventions to prevent serious harm. By understanding the risks associated with premature birth, parents can determine whether there were any preventable issues that could have led to injuries to their child, and they can take the correct actions to ensure that a child receives the necessary care going forward.
Complications That Can Affect Premature Babies
Babies who are born before the 37th week of pregnancy may have a higher risk of complications during delivery. Premature infants are typically smaller than those who are born at full term, and their organs and bodily systems may not have fully developed. This can make them more vulnerable to trauma during labor and delivery, and they may experience injuries such as bruises, broken bones, or nerve damage.
How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed for Infants and Children?
Certain types of developmental disorders may affect children, leading to issues with the control of their bodies, as well as neurological problems and other health concerns. Cerebral palsy (CP) is one such disorder, and it may be caused by birth injuries that led to damage to a child's brain. However, a cerebral palsy diagnosis may not be made immediately after an injury, and in some cases, parents and medical professionals may not fully understand how a child was affected until they are several years old. Early diagnosis of CP can be crucial since it can ensure that a child will be able to receive treatments to minimize the effects of a condition and help improve their physical and cognitive abilities. By understanding how CP may be diagnosed for infants and children, parents can be prepared to provide the care needed to help their child succeed.
Methods Used to Diagnose CP
Signs of cerebral palsy may be initially recognized by parents or by a pediatrician who performs a routine examination, and further tests may be performed to obtain a complete diagnosis, determine how a child has been affected, and create a treatment plan. Methods of diagnosing cerebral palsy include:
Can a Long, Difficult Labor Lead to Injuries for a Child or Mother?
Childbirth can be challenging, and the process of labor and delivery can be long and difficult. Mothers may experience significant pain and exhaustion over multiple hours of labor. However, there are some situations where labor can last for an extended period, and complications may occur that may make it more difficult to deliver a child. Prolonged labor can increase the risks of birth injuries, and dangerous complications may put the health of the child and the mother at risk. In situations involving long and difficult labor, parents should be aware of the risk factors and the signs of potential birth injuries that may have occurred, which can help them ensure that the proper treatment can be provided for the mother and child.
What Is Prolonged Labor?
Labor will often last for several hours, with an average of 12 to 24 hours for a first birth and eight to 10 hours for a second or subsequent birth. However, there are some situations where labor may stall. The cervix may not fully dilate, or the baby may stop moving through the birth canal. In general, if labor lasts for more than 25 hours for a first-time mother or more than 20 hours for a mother who has previously had a child, it is considered prolonged labor.
What Are the Signs That a Birth Injury May Have Led to Cerebral Palsy?
As a new parent, there are few things more important than your child's health. You want to give your child the best possible start in life, and that includes detecting any medical or developmental issues early on. Unfortunately, birth injuries can have a significant impact on your child's growth and development, and brain injuries that occur during labor and delivery can be especially serious. In many cases, issues that cause damage to a child's brain may lead to cerebral palsy, a developmental disorder that can result in permanent physical and mental disabilities. By understanding the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy, you can make sure your child will receive the proper treatment.
Delayed Motor Development
Some of the most common signs that a birth injury may have led to cerebral palsy involve developmental delays. If a child does not meet certain milestones at the expected times, this may be an indication that they have a developmental disorder. In some cases, cerebral palsy may primarily affect one side of the body, causing a child to favor arms or legs on one side and limiting their ability to crawl or walk properly. If your child is unable to sit up or does not start crawling or walking after reaching the appropriate age, you may want to consult a doctor to determine the causes of these delays and the options for meeting your child's needs.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Post-Partum Hemorrhaging?
The birth of a child is a beautiful and joyous occasion, but it is also one of the most physically demanding experiences that a woman can go through. After childbirth, it is common for women to experience some level of bleeding. However, when bleeding is excessive, this is known as post-partum hemorrhaging, and it can be a serious and potentially life-threatening issue. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the world. It is important for new parents to understand the potential causes of post-partum hemorrhage to ensure that this issue will be addressed correctly.
Reasons Why Post-Partum Hemorrhaging May Occur
During pregnancy, a woman's body produces excess blood, and some of this blood will be lost during the child's delivery. However, blood flow may not stop naturally, and excessive bleeding could result in the loss of too much blood. Some common reasons for significant blood loss following childbirth include:
What Treatments Can Be Used for Infants With Cystic Encephalomalacia?
There are multiple types of birth injuries that can affect newborn infants, and some of the most serious of these injuries may result in damage to the brain. Cystic encephalomalacia is one type of brain condition that may result in permanent disabilities and health issues. Parents of children who have been diagnosed with this type of brain injury will need to understand the options for treatment and the resources that may be available to ensure that they can meet their child's needs.
Understanding Cystic Encephalomalacia
Cystic encephalomalacia is a condition characterized by the occurrence of cysts in the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. These cysts can occur for a variety of reasons, including trauma during birth, infections contracted by a child during pregnancy or delivery, maternal diabetes, or the use of certain types of medications during pregnancy, such as blood thinners. Brain injuries can also occur if a child experiences a lack of oxygen during labor and delivery, and if an infant experiences hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, cysts may develop in the brain. In rare cases, cystic encephalomalacia may occur because of genetic disorders.
Is Unnecessary Treatment by Dr. Mona Ghosh Considered Medical Malpractice?
Patients who receive care from doctors or other medical providers expect to be treated with dignity and respect. They believe that doctors will evaluate them based on thorough examinations and a consideration of their medical history, diagnose conditions based on their medical education and the knowledge they have gained from treating other patients, and recommend and provide treatments that will address a patient's conditions and improve their overall health. While most providers meet these expectations and provide quality care to patients, there are some situations where doctors may not provide the proper care, or they may even take actions meant to benefit themselves rather than protect the health and well-being of the people they treat.
A number of patients in the Chicago area may have been affected by this type of behavior. Dr. Mona Ghosh, who operated Progressive Women's Healthcare, S.C. in Hoffman Estates, has been accused of committing healthcare fraud by billing insurance providers for services that were not actually provided, as well as performing certain types of unnecessary procedures and tests, including endometrial ablations and endometrial biopsies. Patients who have received services from Dr. Ghosh may be concerned about how they may have been affected, and they will need to understand whether they can pursue medical malpractice claims.
Can Patients of Dr. Mona Ghosh Receive Compensation for Unnecessary Medical Treatment?
Recently, people in the Chicago area were shocked by the revelation that a women's healthcare provider had allegedly been committing healthcare fraud for several years. On March 14, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Dr. Mona Ghosh on 13 counts of fraud. The doctor, who owned and operated a clinic in Hoffman Estates known as Progressive Women’s Healthcare, S.C., has been charged with submitting numerous false claims to private insurance providers and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. She is accused of obtaining nearly $800,000 in fraudulent payments.
While Dr. Ghosh may face serious penalties for committing fraud, what is even more troubling is how her alleged actions may have affected her patients. In addition to billing for services that were not actually provided, she is also accused of performing unnecessary medical treatments, including endometrial ablations and invasive tests such as endometrial biopsies and screenings for sexually transmitted diseases.
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