A full-term pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks. However, some babies come earlier than expected, and in some instances, their birth can be considered premature. Premature birth is a birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. A recent study found that every week a baby stays in the womb is crucial to their development. Premature babies are very small and not ready to live outside the womb. They require intensive medical treatment in order to survive and thrive.
Risk Factors for Premature Birth
Medical experts don’t know all the reasons why a baby may be born prematurely, but there are some risk factors that medical professionals should keep in mind when treating pregnant women. These risk factors include:
- Previous premature delivery
- Pregnancy with multiples
- Short time between pregnancies
- Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
A competent medical professional will recognize the risk factors of premature birth and closely monitor the pregnancy. When the signs of potential premature birth are evident, a medical professional should take appropriate steps such as putting the mother on bed rest, prescribing appropriate medications to slow labor, and inserting a cervical suture if necessary. Failure to do so could be medical negligence.
Dangers of Premature Birth
The complications that a baby may face if they were born prematurely may depend on how early they were born. It can also depend on whether the medical professional took appropriate steps, such as administering steroids, to help with lung development. Some dangers faced by premature babies include:
- Developmental delays
- Cerebral palsy
- Vision or hearing loss
- Respiratory issues
- Digestive problems
- Jaundice
- Death
These types of injuries may be prevented if a medical professional takes the appropriate actions in the face of a potential premature birth.
Contact a Birth Injury Attorney
If your child was injured as the result of premature birth and you believe your doctor was negligent, you should have your case evaluated by an experienced medical malpractice attorney. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have been helping the victims of medical negligence for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.