New York Polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios is the excessive accumulation of the fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus during pregnancy. The fluid is called amniotic fluid. In severe cases, the fluid buildup can lead to serious complications such as preterm labor. However, if diagnosed in time, polyhydramnios can be treated with medication that would help decrease the amount of amniotic fluid. If a mother is showing signs of polyhydramnios, it is important that the doctor treat the condition quickly so that serious complications do not develop. If you believe that your baby was seriously injured because your doctor failed to properly diagnose and treat polyhydramnios, it is important that you immediately contact a New York polyhydramnios lawyer who has the knowledge and resources to ensure that your legal rights are protected.

Polyhydramnios may be indicative of a problem with the baby such as:

• Birth defect such as brain and spinal cord defects
• Diabetes in the mother
• Fetal anemia
• Infections
• Blood incompatibility between mother and baby

Symptoms of polyhydramnios are related to the pressures that the excess fluid puts on the abdomen, causing discomfort. Signs of polyhydramnios include shortness of breath, uterine discomfort or preterm contractions, poor fetal positioning, swelling in the abdomen, and swelling in the lower extremities.

If polyhydramnios is left untreated, serious complications may developed that put the health of the baby at risk. As experienced polyhydramnios attorneys in New York, many cases of medical professional negligence are based not on the doctor doing something that causes a condition, but based on the doctor not treating a condition quickly enough to avoid serious birth injuries. Complications associated with polyhydramnios include:

• Preterm contractions
• Preterm birth
• Premature rupture of membranes
• Poor fetal positioning
• Placental abruption
• Umbilical cord prolapse
• Stillbirth
• Hemorrhaging
• Cerebral palsy
• Seizures

Complications are more likely to occur when polyhydramnios occurs relatively early in the pregnancy, and when the amount of excess amniotic fluid is great.

Depending on the severity of the polyhydramnios, treatment may include medication which will help reduce the amount of fluid, or draining the excess amniotic fluid through amniocentesis. In some cases the mother will have to be treated multiple times during the pregnancy as the baby continues to make amniotic fluid throughout the pregnancy.

Since preterm contractions are preterm labor are associated with polyhydramnios, bedrest may be necessary to help delay preterm labor.

If polyhydramnios is not promptly diagnosed and treated, the complications can be devastating. Complications include cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and brain damage from lack of oxygen. In addition, polyhydramnios can lead to premature birth which can bring a host of medical problems for the baby.

If your baby suffered complications from severe polyhydramnios because your doctor failed to promptly diagnose and treat the condition, you may have grounds to pursue compensation based on medical negligence. However, it is important that you are represented by an experienced New York polyhydramnios attorney who understands complex medical records and who has the resources to stand up to the doctor and hospital who contributed to your baby’s condition. Through a medical malpractice claim, you have the right to demand compensation for losses you suffered such as the medical bills related to treated you child’s polyhydramnios-related injury, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life

Typically polyhydramnios can be successfully treated with medication that would help decrease the amount of amniotic fluid. Otherwise, serious complications may occur. The polyhydramnios attorneys serving New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have years of experiencing successfully representing victims injured by the negligent actions of medical professionals. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.