Female bodies are built to handle extreme levels of performance, and expecting mothers provide all of us with a constant example of what it takes to safely and successfully carry a child to term and to deliver it in a healthy and strong state. It is an amazing process in many ways, but it’s also one that can lead to disaster for the infant if anything goes wrong during a pregnancy. This is especially true if the medical professionals who are supposed to be helping the mother through this time do not perform to an acceptable standard.
One of the problems that can arise as a result of inadequate medical care and management during a pregnancy is a condition known as Premature Rupture of Membranes, or PROM. Below you will find a brief overview of PROM and how it occurs in addition to finding information regarding how it can be prevented. Anyone whose child has been harmed because of a case of PROM that could have been avoided needs to obtain the help of experienced New York medical malpractice lawyers as soon as possible.
Premature Rupture of Membranes – PROM Described
A fetus grows and develops inside of the mother’s womb, and it is housed inside of a sac that includes what is known as amniotic fluid. Premature Rupture of Membranes, or PROM, occurs when a break occurs with that sac and this amniotic fluid begins to leak. Mothers will notice that something is wrong because they will notice this leakage, and since PROM arises at 37 weeks of gestation or later, most women in this position will seek medical attention.
In many cases, the mother with PROM will deliver the child within a few days, as common medical knowledge states that a child that makes it past 37 weeks of gestation has a good chance to do well after being born. However, the biggest risk associated with PROM is that the infection that likely led to the membranes bursting in the first place could spread to the infant and create irreparable harm. That’s why medical professionals need to diagnose PROM properly and promptly and treat it aggressively in order to protect that fetus.
Many in the medical community believe that PROM can be largely prevented if the mother basically lives a healthy lifestyle while she is pregnant. For instance, she should not smoke while pregnant and she should consume a healthy and nutrient-rich diet. Women who have experienced PROM in previous pregnancies should also be wary of this situation arising again, and their doctors should also manage these pregnancies with this possibility in mind.
If your child suffered because of the presence of PROM and improper prevention or treatment of it, you need to seek the help of New York medical malpractice lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of families for more than 40 years. Contact The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.