Anemia has been called the silent disease due to its lack of symptoms. It is estimated that one in five women suffer from anemia during pregnancy. Many times, this condition goes undiagnosed by doctors.
Anemia is a condition where there are not enough red blood cells in the body. The body needs these cells to bring oxygen to the tissues and organs. When there are too few red blood cells, there can be a decrease in oxygen reaching the baby through your bloodstream and this can have devastating effects on your unborn child.
A birth injury lawyer can help you determine whether you were harmed by a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose anemia during pregnancy and if so, how much compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Causes of Anemia During Pregnancy
Unfortunately, there are many causes of anemia during pregnancy, and women who suffer from it may not realize it until it is too late. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of all pregnant women will have some type of anemia at some point during their pregnancy.
Anemia can be caused by many factors, including:
Iron Deficiency
Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, and if you don’t have enough iron in your diet, you may develop anemia. Iron deficiency is often caused by poor nutrition. However, it can also occur when people take certain medications or supplements that interfere with absorption of iron from food (for example, antacids containing aluminum hydroxide).
Women who are pregnant may also develop iron deficiency because their doctor may recommend they take a prenatal vitamin without iron to reduce the risk of nausea.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production, so a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to anemia over time.
Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning can result from exposure to lead in paint chips, water pipes or other sources in older homes.
Cancer Treatments
Chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer can cause anemia because they destroy rapidly dividing cells (such as cancerous ones) as well as normal tissue.
Medications
A number of prescription medications can cause anemia. These include anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, blood pressure medications, antacids, and some antidepressants.
This means that many mothers don’t know that something is wrong with their bodies until after they give birth, when doctors find out their babies have developed serious illnesses due to their condition. A delayed diagnosis can cause permanent damage to both mother and child.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Effects of Anemia During Pregnancy
Anemia can cause severe health problems for both mother and baby if left untreated during pregnancy. Adverse effects may include:
- Premature birth (before 37 weeks)
- Low birth weight (less than 5 pounds 9 oz)
- Neonatal death (death within 28 days after birth)
- Hemorrhage (heavy bleeding) during delivery
If you have been diagnosed with anemia during pregnancy and it was not diagnosed prior to conception or during prenatal care, then you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. A failure to diagnose anemia could result in serious complications or even wrongful death of your child.
Diagnosing Prenatal Anemia
Anemia during pregnancy is typically diagnosed with a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in your body.
If there are fewer than 12 million red blood cells per microliter of blood, then you may be suffering from anemia. A normal level of hemoglobin for women is 13.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL), but this may vary depending on your ethnicity and health history.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Proper Treatment for Anemia in Pregnant Women
If you have anemia during pregnancy, your doctor will prescribe iron supplements to increase the amount of hemoglobin in your body. However, if you do not respond to these treatments or if they cause side effects such as constipation or nausea, then you may need an alternative treatment plan such as an injection or surgery to increase the amount of hemoglobin in your body.
If you had anemia during pregnancy, it’s important to understand that you may have a case against your doctor or another healthcare provider if they didn’t properly diagnose it. Anemia during pregnancy can pose serious risks to both mother and child. Pregnant women with anemia may experience fatigue, dizziness, and headaches, among other symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to premature birth or stillbirths.
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
Seeking Legal Assistance for a Missed Diagnosis
If you believe you were diagnosed with anemia during your pregnancy but did not receive proper treatment, you should contact a birth injury attorney immediately.
A dedicated legal team can help you get the compensation you deserve for the missed diagnosis. Your lawyer will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."
