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The placenta is an organ which is connected to the lining of the womb during pregnancy and is linked to an unborn baby through the umbilical cord.
While the baby is still in the womb essential nutrients, oxygen and vitamins are sent to the baby from the placenta which is connected to the mother's blood supply. It also provides a link with the baby's blood, removing the baby's waste and transferring it to the mother for her kidneys to process while keeping the two blood supplies separate.
The placenta also has other functions which are crucial for normal pregnancy. These include producing hormones which play a role in triggering labour and delivery. Additionally, the placenta helps to protect an unborn baby from infections and potentially harmful substances.
However, in some cases the placenta can detach during pregnancy and bleeding can consequently occur – this is known as a ruptured placenta, or 'abruptio placentae'. The larger the area which detaches, the greater the bleeding is likely to be.
There are many possible causes of a rupture, but the actual cause is often unknown. Hypertension (high blood pressure), smoking, multiple pregnancies and car accidents are all thought to be factors which can contribute to the condition.
If the mother and baby are not properly monitored during the delivery process and a ruptured placenta is not detected and dealt with appropriately, consequently causing a birth injury, the mother may have grounds to make a claim for clinical negligence.
The most common symptoms of a ruptured placenta birth injury include vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, nausea, thirst, fainting, blood in the amniotic fluid and decreased foetal movement.
Sometimes a ruptured placenta birth injury is not diagnosed until after delivery, when clotted blood is found behind the placenta.
If a pregnant woman displays these symptoms and suspects that they may have a ruptured placenta, it is vital that they speak to doctor as soon as possible.
There is no way of halting the rupture of a placenta and treatment of the woman involved depends on how much she is bleeding and the physical condition of her unborn baby. An immediate blood transfusion may be required if severe blood loss has occurred.
In the event that a woman does have a ruptured placenta, a clotting test should be carried out to establish the clotting ability of the patient. Failure of a clot to form after seven minutes or a soft clot which breaks down easily can indicate coagulopathy – a condition in which the blood's ability to clot is impaired.
Having a baby should be an extremely joyous time in a woman's life, but in the event of a birth injury which occurs during the delivery process parents may feel that medical negligence has taken place on the part of the attending obstetrician or other medical staff.
If you or your child has suffered a birth injury, and it can be proved that medical negligence has occurred, you may be able to make a compensation claim with YouClaim. Our panel of personal injury solicitors has a wealth of experience in dealing with birth injury claims and has achieved an excellent success rate.
We are here 24 hours a day, waiting to take your call and help you gain the compensation you deserve. One of our legal advisors will be able to tell you within minutes whether you have a case, and if we believe you do, we will appoint an expert solicitor to represent you.
To contact the personal injury compensation claim experts here at YouClaim, fill in an online form and we'll call you back or give us a call any time of the day or night on 0800 10 757 95.
