Can a Retained Placenta be Medical Malpractice?

In most cases, the placenta is delivered a short time after a baby is born, typically within 30 to 60 minutes. However, there can be times when this doesn’t happen and it can put the mother at risk for significant health complications. According to one study, retained placenta is the second leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage and is a common cause of obstetric morbidity.

What is Retained Placenta?

Retained placenta occurs when part of the placenta remains in the body after the baby is born instead of being expelled as expected. It happens in approximately 1%-3% of all pregnancies. 

There are three main ways a retained placenta can occur: placenta adherens, trapped placenta, or placenta accreta. Placenta adherens is when the placenta doesn’t fully detach from the uterine wall because contractions weren’t strong enough for it to be fully removed. Trapped placenta occurs when the placenta is fully removed from the uterine walls, but the cervix closes before it can leave the body. Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta is attached to the muscular part of the uterine wall instead of the lining.

Retained Placenta Complications

When the placenta remains in the body for too long after the baby is born, there can be very serious complications for the mother, such as infections and bleeding that can potentially be life threatening. Placenta adherens is the most common cause of retained placenta, but placenta accreta has a greater risk of serious complications. In severe cases, placenta accreta can require a blood transfusion or hysterectomy. 

Can a Retained Placenta be Caused By Medical Malpractice?

Retained placenta isn’t a condition that doctors have the ability to prevent, but they do have a responsibility to make sure the placenta is fully removed from the body and take steps to prevent complications if they have reason to believe part of the placenta is being retained. This can include administering oxytocin to start contractions if the placenta wasn’t delivered on its own or manually/surgically removing the retained placenta. Delays in taking these types of steps can cause serious harm to the mother and could be considered medical malpractice. It could also be considered medical malpractice if a doctor fails to provide proper treatment after signs of an infection or hemorrhage are present. 

Contact a Michigan Birth Trauma Layer

Labor and delivery are both extremely complex for both the mother and the baby. Even pregnancies that are healthy and uncomplicated can potentially have serious problems come up during the birthing process. If a doctor or other medical professional makes a mistake during that time, it could have significant consequences. Cases of birth injuries are often cases of medical malpractice and if you believe you or your child was injured around the time of birth, don’t hesitate to contact a birth injury lawyer. At Scott Goodwin Law, you’ll be able to get help from lawyers experienced in both birth trauma and medical malpractice. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation and find out how we can help you get the justice you deserve.