Premature Delivery

A healthy full-term pregnancy is nine months long, usually around 38 weeks. Any earlier delivery that occurs after six and a half months, or about 26 weeks, is considered premature delivery. Premature delivery is the single largest cause of newborn death.

When mothers go into early labor, they are often given an injection of steroids to decrease the risk of lung problems and brain injury. The steroids speed up the development of the lungs and the brain, in the hopes of increasing the baby's chance of survival. Babies whose mothers receive this injection of steroids have a lowered chance of suffering respiratory distress syndrome and bleeding in the brain.

If a premature baby survives delivery, he or she is placed in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and receives help with breathing, is fed nutrients specially designed for an immature digestive system, and is carefully monitored.

The loss of a newborn is a devastating, life-altering event and the idea of seeking legal advice may be difficult to consider. However, over the course of time, memories fade and it may become more difficult to gather records and evidence. There are time limits for these types of lawsuits, so it is important to start the legal process as soon as possible. If you have experienced the tragedy of a premature delivery that led to the death of an infant, it is recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney. A thorough review of your medical records should take place to ensure that the person or persons responsible are held accountable for their actions. The Law Offices of Dr. Bruce Fagel is staffed with caring and compassionate legal representatives who understand the difficulty of taking legal action when tragedy occurs. Call our office at (800) 541-9376 to speak with a legal adviser today.

To watch an informative video regarding fetal monitoring and featuring Dr. Fagel, please click here.