In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women using assisted reproductive technologies. In addition to the couples dealing with infertility issues, there has been an increase in women choosing to have babies later in life, solo births, and same-sex couples choosing to have children. With an increase in such treatment, it comes as no surprise that the number of twins, triplets, and higher multiple births is also increasing. Pregnancies involving multiple fetuses have always inherently been high risk, but the developments in maternal and fetal medicine allow doctors to manage these pregnancies safely.

However, as with all medical practice, the established protocols and standards of care must be followed. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen, and when a multiple pregnancy is not managed appropriately, it can result in life-altering injuries to the babies or the mother. Let's take a look at some of the risks connected with multiple births and how a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville can help if you find yourself in a position where your baby has suffered a birth injury due to improper care.

Why Are Multiple Births More Dangerous

As noted, there is always an inherent risk when it comes to multiple births, but what is it about multiple births that makes them more dangerous? Let's take a look at some of the common complications that are associated with multiple pregnancy:

  • Preterm Labor & Premature Birth - 60% of twins and most triplets or higher births happen prematurely. When a baby is delivered before they have fully developed, there is a higher risk of infection and other life-threatening conditions.
  • Gestational Hypertension & Eclampsia - In a multiple pregnancy, the risk of gestational hypertension is double that of a single fetus pregnancy. It also tends to develop much earlier in the pregnancy and is likely to be much more severe.
  • Anemia - It is twice as likely that a woman will develop anemia in a multiple pregnancy. This increases the likelihood of needing a blood transfusion after the birth, especially if there is hemorrhaging, which is also more common with multiples.
  • Amniotic Fluid Problems - Amniotic fluid abnormalities are more common in multiple pregnancies, particularly identical twins, due to the shared placenta. It is also common for identical twins to suffer twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, where there is an imbalance of blood and amniotic fluid between the babies, with one getting too much and the other too little.
  • Umbilical Cord Compression - With multiple fetuses, there are also multiple umbilical cords, which presents a risk of them becoming tangled. When this happens, there is a risk that one or more of the babies will have reduced oxygen flow, leading to permanent brain damage.

These complications and other risk factors will increase the risk of birth injuries, including things like cerebral palsy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). It is also likely that a cesarean section will be necessary, which comes with its own set of risks. That is why it is so important to have safe and effective medical care during multiple pregnancies and to monitor for these types of complications. If there is a failure in this duty of care resulting in a birth injury, a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville can help you pursue legal action.

Medical Negligence in Multiple Births

With advances in medical technology, multiple pregnancies can be safely managed, but only when the correct protocols are followed and the appropriate level of care is given. Failure to do so can quickly result in avoidable complications that may result in devestating injuries for the babies or the mother. This is where a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville can work with you to prove medical negligence and pursue financial compensation. Some examples of the type of medical negligence that can lead to birth injury in multiple births include the following:

  • Failure to inform the mother of the potential risks associated with fertility treatments and multiple births means she cannot give informed consent to the procedures.
  • Not identifying the presence of two or more fetuses in the womb during the pregnancy.
  • Not referring the mother to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist to manage a multiple pregnancy.
  • Not promptly diagnosing common complications of multiple births, including preeclampsia, anemia, or gestational diabetes.
  • Failing to identify and treat twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

If you have recently birthed twins, triplets, or more, and any of your children have suffered a birth injury, or if you yourself were injured due to pregnancy complications that you believe were a result of medical negligence, a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville can assist you in pursuing the relevant legal action. It is important to choose a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville who has experience in dealing with multiple births, as these cases can be exceptionally complex.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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