Having a child is one of the most exciting parts of a person’s life in Missouri and across the U.S. While it is a common occurrence and medical professionals who are involved in the birth are generally experienced, there is still risk involved. The health of the mother and baby will be in jeopardy for a variety of reasons. A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there are a substantial number of deaths from pregnancy. This information can be important for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one in this situation and are considering filing a lawsuit for compensation.

An estimated 700 women die annually during and after childbirth. The research shows that three of every five are believed to be preventable. These women can die during the pregnancy, when they are delivering the baby, or up to one year after the birth. In the years 2011 to 2015, approximately one-third of these incidents happened while the mother was pregnant; another third occurred while the mother was delivering the baby or within the next week; the final third occurred in the year after birth. Although maternal death in these circumstances is rare in developed countries, the U.S. has worse statistics in this area than Britain and Canada.

Mothers today have a 50 percent greater likelihood of death than their mothers did. The most common ways in which they died were from a stroke and heart disease with one out of three happening due to these issues. Other causes include an amniotic fluid embolism and serious bleeding. For women who died in the week after having the baby, high blood pressure, infection and severe bleeding were the most frequent reasons for death. For those who died within a year after the birth, the most common cause was weakened heart muscles.

In the U.S., it is unexpected when there is a health problem with the mother after having a baby. However, as this research shows, it is relatively common and increasingly worrisome. For people who have been injured and those who have lost a loved one after they have had a baby, understanding how and why it happened is key. If the medical professionals made any kind of mistake or failed to act when they should have, it could be the basis for a lawsuit. Calling for assistance from a law firm that is experienced in personal injury and wrongful death is the first step toward filing a case and receiving compensation.