Are you pregnant and hoping day in and day out for a safe delivery? If so, you might want to reconsider having your baby in a U.S. hospital. Other developed countries, such as Canada, Germany, France, England and Japan all have lower rates of maternal deaths than the United States.
Over the course of about the last 25 years, the other developed countries have reduced or controlled the rate of maternal deaths. The rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. has significantly increased. As the other countries show, there are ways to increase the safety of mothers after childbirth.
Quality of Care Is Not a Constant; It Can Change
It is startling enough to recognize the increase in the rate of maternal deaths after childbirth. What makes this reality more tragic is that studies show many of the deaths could have been prevented through proper medical care and oversight.
A couple of major causes of maternal death are bleeding out and complications tied to blood pressure. Medical facilities can easily monitor blood pressure and respond accordingly with medication. Blood loss after childbirth is supposed to be monitored and evaluated by medical professionals.
Neither blood pressure nor blood loss is very difficult to monitor. If more strict protocols were put in place and followed for every mother during pregnancy and after childbirth, lives could easily be saved. Catastrophic injuries could be avoided. Some wrongful death and medical malpractice cases might become less necessary.
Families could be saved from the tragedy of losing a mother.
How Many Lives Could Be Saved?
According to USA Today, about 700 mothers die following childbirth in the U.S. every year. Researchers sincerely insist about half of the deaths could be avoided with a better standard of medical care, such as simple blood pressure monitoring and treatment and nurses paying closer attention to blood loss. Of the hemorrhage-related deaths among mothers alone, researchers believe 90 percent of those losses could be avoided.
Did You or a Loved One Deserve Better Care After Childbirth?
You are not foolish and naive to believe that pregnancy and childbirth should be special, happy times. These are life-defining times in a woman’s and her family’s life. If the excitement and joy of pregnancy and/or childbirth were replaced with avoidable injury, loss and grief, do not face the tragedy alone.
Medical malpractice cases can be complicated and daunting, particularly when fighting against a large hospital backed by money and a fancy legal team. Contact a medical negligence attorney experienced in pregnancy and childbirth cases to best evaluate your case and fight for justice on behalf of you, a loved one or your whole family.
