Pregnancy involves many changes for both the mother and developing baby. One complication that can arise is polyhydramnios, a condition involving an excessive amount of amniotic fluid. While mild cases may cause few problems, severe cases can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery.
Polyhydramnios is not itself a birth injury. However, if a medical provider fails to properly diagnose or manage the condition and that negligence causes harm, the mother or child may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Understanding Polyhydramnios
Polyhydramnios occurs when too much amniotic fluid surrounds a baby in the uterus. Amniotic fluid helps protect the baby and supports development.
Mild cases may cause few or no symptoms. More severe cases can cause symptoms such as:
- Stomach tightness, cramping, or contractions
- Shortness of breath
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Swelling in the vulva, legs, or feet
- Heartburn
These symptoms can occur because excess fluid causes the uterus to expand and place pressure on nearby organs.
In many cases, the cause of polyhydramnios is unknown. Known causes can include diabetes, fetal infections, congenital conditions that interfere with swallowing, and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
How Is Polyhydramnios Diagnosed?
A medical provider may suspect polyhydramnios if the uterus measures larger than expected for the stage of pregnancy or if the mother develops symptoms. An ultrasound can be used to measure the amount of amniotic fluid and help confirm the condition.
Once polyhydramnios is identified, additional testing may be recommended to look for an underlying cause or monitor the baby’s health. The type of testing needed depends on the pregnancy and other risk factors. Regular monitoring can also help providers determine whether fluid levels are increasing or complications are developing.
Polyhydramnios: Treatment and Complications
Treatment depends on the severity and cause of polyhydramnios. Mild cases often require monitoring rather than treatment and may resolve on their own. When an underlying condition such as diabetes contributes to excess fluid, treating that condition may help.
Severe cases may require closer monitoring, draining excess amniotic fluid, medication, or planning the timing of delivery. The appropriate approach depends on the circumstances of the pregnancy.
Severe polyhydramnios can increase the risk of premature birth, placental abruption, umbilical cord prolapse, breech position, stillbirth, and postpartum hemorrhage. Most people with polyhydramnios, however, deliver healthy babies.
Is Unaddressed Polyhydramnios Considered Medical Malpractice?
A poor outcome involving polyhydramnios does not automatically mean medical malpractice occurred. Medical providers may need to monitor amniotic fluid levels, evaluate possible causes, and respond appropriately when treatment or additional monitoring is necessary.
A potential malpractice claim may arise if a provider fails to diagnose or properly manage polyhydramnios and that failure falls below the applicable standard of care and causes an injury. For example, a failure to respond appropriately to signs of a serious pregnancy complication could raise concerns about improper prenatal care.
Whether malpractice occurred depends on the specific medical facts.
Pursuing a Malpractice Claim in Atlanta
Medical malpractice claims require more than showing that a mother or baby suffered an injury. A claim generally must establish that the medical provider failed to meet the applicable standard of care and that this failure caused the injury.
Medical records can be important when evaluating how polyhydramnios was diagnosed and managed. Expert medical testimony may also be necessary to explain the standard of care, identify a provider’s errors, and connect those errors to the resulting harm.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost income, future care costs, and pain and suffering.
Contact the Atlanta Birth Injury Attorneys at Georgia Baby Safety for Help Today
Polyhydramnios does not always result from medical negligence, and many pregnancies involving the condition have healthy outcomes. However, questions may arise when a provider fails to diagnose or properly manage the condition and a mother or baby is harmed as a result.
Georgia Baby Safety provides information and guidance to families with questions about potential birth injuries. If you believe negligent prenatal care contributed to an injury, contact our birth injury lawyers in Atlanta to learn more about your legal options.
We are proud to serve clients throughout Atlanta, Fulton County, and the surrounding communities.
The Moses Firm
3490 Piedmont Rd NE #1206, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-995-6033
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