If a woman develops pregnancy-related heart problems, they need to be properly addressed by her healthcare provider. Negligence in diagnosing, monitoring, or treating the condition before, during, or immediately after pregnancy can lead to complications that may harm the mother or her baby. When maternal injury or death occurs as a result of the action or inaction of another, the responsible party may be held liable for damages. If you or a loved one experienced complications from heart issues in pregnancy, consider contacting a New Mexico maternity injury lawyer at Erin Marshall Law by calling (505) 218-9949 to learn more about your legal rights.
Is Pregnancy Hard on the Mother’s Heart?
When a woman becomes pregnant, her body increases its blood volume in order to deliver nutrients to the growing baby. According to the National Library of Medicine, the mother’s blood volume can increase by 45 percent. Along with the increased blood, the mother’s heart must work harder than usual to pump that blood, so the mother’s heart rate also increases. For some women, this stress can expose previously undiagnosed heart health risks due to conditions that were present before the pregnancy.
As a baby grows in the womb, so does the demand on the mother’s heart to supply oxygenated blood and other nutrients to the baby. Additionally, the stress of labor and the sudden change in circulation after the delivery can also cause cardiac problems. Therefore, the third trimester of pregnancy and the first few weeks following delivery are typically the riskiest times for an expectant mother who has a heart condition. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, some of the risk factors for heart problems in pregnancy include:
- Age: Women over 40 are at a greater risk of developing heart issues in pregnancy
- Race: Some races have a greater risk of having heart problems during pregnancy
- Weight: Women who are overweight or obese have a greater risk of pregnancy-related heart conditions
- Physical activity: Women who are less physically active can have a greater risk of having heart problems in pregnancy
- Drug use: Certain medications and illegal drug use can increase a woman’s risk of developing heart issues in pregnancy
- Alcohol or tobacco use: Drinking alcohol and/or smoking can increase the chances of developing heart conditions during pregnancy
- Existing heart problems: Whether they are known or unknown, existing heart conditions or heart disease can worsen during pregnancy
- Other health conditions: When an expectant mother has other existing health conditions prior to becoming pregnant, she may have a greater risk of developing heart issues during the pregnancy
What Is the Most Common Heart Disease in Pregnancy?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. Heart disease in pregnancy comes in two forms, the first being preexisting conditions, and the second being conditions that develop during pregnancy. Congenital heart disease, a heart condition that the mother was born with, is the most common form of CVD affecting pregnancies.
Women with congenital heart diseases can experience an abnormal heartbeat or heart failure during pregnancy. They also have a greater risk of premature delivery. The various types of congenital heart diseases can be divided into two categories: those that have a low risk of pregnancy-related problems and those that have a higher risk of pregnancy-related problems. Some conditions may be extremely high risk with pregnancy, leading cardiologists to advise certain patients to avoid becoming pregnant.
What Heart Disease Has the Worst Prognosis in Pregnancy?
Cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart muscle, is the leading cause of complications and death during pregnancy. An expectant mother’s risk of severe complications with cardiomyopathy depends on the type she has and its severity. The risk of complications also increases if symptoms were present prior to pregnancy.
Treatments for cardiomyopathy can only manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. A cardiologist can help to determine the type of disease and its stage. The obstetrician may refer an expectant mother to a cardiologist if she is experiencing shortness of breath, having an irregular pulse or trouble breathing, or feeling heart palpitations or chest pain. When these symptoms are ignored or misdiagnosed, the risk of severe complications increases. In cases of negligence in treating heart issues in pregnancy, a New Mexico maternity injury lawyer at Erin Marshall Law may be able to help.
Misdiagnosis of Heart Issues During Pregnancy
Normal cardiovascular changes during pregnancy can mimic the symptoms of heart failure, which include shortness of breath, fatigue, and excess fluid in the legs. Because the symptoms closely resemble those of common pregnancy-related complications, heart issues in pregnancy can easily be misdiagnosed. However, according to the Journal of the American Heart Association, for expectant mothers with any kind of preexisting heart disease, whether a cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease, heart failure is the most common major pregnancy-related cardiovascular complication, affecting 11 percent of these pregnancies.
Maternal injury or death can occur due to misdiagnosis or failure to treat cardiac issues in pregnancy. If the negligence of a medical professional causes preventable injuries or death of the mother or infant, the injured party or a loved one may be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible party or parties. Compensation may be available for related damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, lost future income, and even pain and suffering.
What Are the Steps to Filing a Maternity Injury Claim?
If negligence causes a maternity injury or death, one or more healthcare providers, medical facilities, pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, and others may be held liable. Filing a claim for damages generally involves the following:
- Be aware of the statute of limitations: The statute of limitations for a maternity injury or death is typically three years. However, the actual time may vary depending on the circumstances of the case, so it is important to consult with an attorney who can ensure that the case is filed within the applicable limit
- Gather medical records: Obtain all relevant medical records that may be needed to establish the basis of the claim
- Investigate: Review medical records and the standard of care the medical professionals provided during the pregnancy and delivery. Consult with experts who may provide testimony about lapses in the standard of care
- Document damages: Keep records of all expenses related to the injury, including medical bills, prescriptions, equipment, therapies, and other costs. Record lost income and obtain documentation for future healthcare needs. The total value of these damages will be included in the complaint
- File a complaint: An attorney can help to properly draft a complaint and file it in the correct jurisdiction before the statute of limitations runs out. The complaint will describe the injury or death, the allegations, and the damages. After the defendant or defendants are served, the parties will go through the discovery process and then negotiate a settlement or, if a settlement cannot be reached, proceed to trial
Contact a New Mexico Maternity Injury Attorney Today
The health of an expectant mother and her infant can be threatened by a number of factors, including negligence in properly diagnosing or treating cardiac conditions before, during, or just after pregnancy. When a reduced standard of care results in maternal injury or death, the responsible party may be held liable for the damages. If you or a loved one has experienced heart issues in pregnancy, consider contacting an experienced New Mexico maternity injury lawyer at Erin Marshall Law by calling (505) 218-9949 to schedule a consultation today.
