A lot of parents are not aware of that fact that the placenta can separate from the uterus during not only pregnancy, but also during labor and delivery. So, when we get to the statement of how a separated placenta can sometimes lead to a brain injury in your baby , many parents who have experienced this event have many questions.
One of the main focal points of this Maryland birth injury educational article is to explain how this medical condition, called placental abruption, can sometimes lead to a brain injury in your baby. With that said, understand that when this situation occurs, it not only poses a risk to the baby, but also to mom.
WHY IS THE PLACENTA IMPORTANT?
The placenta plays an important role in the development of your baby. Through the placenta, your baby can get the important nutrients needed for growth and development. It also removes the harmful waste from the baby’s blood.
Another important function of the placenta is that the umbilical cord grows from the placenta. As some have said, the umbilical cord is your baby’s “life line,” as it too performs important functions for the baby, such as passing important nutrients from mom to baby.
HOW A SEPARATED PLACENTA CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO A BRAIN INJURY IN YOUR BABY…
As we focus on how a separated placenta can sometimes lead to a brain injury in your baby, we need to provide a name for this condition. The medical name for this is placental abruption. During placental abruption, the separation of the placenta from the uterus can be partial, or complete.
When the placenta detaches from the uterus, before the baby is born, there is a serious threat posed to the mother because of bleeding, or hemorrhaging. If the bleeding is severe, this poses a threat to the baby because the baby is part of mom. Mom’s decreased level of blood can cause a decreased level of blood and oxygen getting to the baby.
If there is a decreased level of blood and oxygen getting to the baby, then fetal hypoxia can occur. Fetal hypoxia can trigger hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE. HIE essentially means a reduced level of blood and oxygen, leading to a brain injury.
Therefore, when doctors suspect placental abruption, they must closely monitor mother and baby. Even if the placental detachment is partial, because of the stress of labor, and contraction forces, the partial can lead to a complete separation in a matter of time.
Doctors must move to an emergency C-Section when placental abruption poses a serious threat to mother and baby. Hopefully now you understand how a separated placenta can sometimes lead to a brain injury in your baby.
DOES YOUR BABY HAVE A CEREBRAL PALSY DIAGNOSIS?
The lack of blood and oxygen poses danger to your child. This is one of the main ways how a separated placenta can sometimes lead to a brain injury in your baby. To speak with me further about your baby’s brain injury at birth, this is what I invite you to do.
Pick up the phone and give me a call. I can be reached at 301-850-4832. I answer Maryland birth injury and medical malpractice questions just like yours all the time and I will be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815