The diabetes risk and birth injury compensation

If an expectant mother has or develops diabetes, doctors must do all they can to closely monitor her health for the both the sake of her and her baby. Likewise, even if a mother does not have diabetes, prenatal medical staff have a duty to look out for any signs she might be at risk of developing the condition. Failure to do so could form the grounds for mother and child receiving birth injury compensation.

How does gestational diabetes develop?
The precise cause of gestational diabetes still remains something of a mystery. Most doctors speculate that hormones produced in the body during pregnancy work to prevent the effective action of insulin.

Insulin is essential in breaking down levels of glucose in the body, if its production is impaired, levels of sugar rise.

This can cause problems not only to the mother, but also to the baby, as high blood sugar levels are passed on to it through the placenta.

Who is at risk of developing diabetes?
Expectant mothers who are at the most acute risk of developing gestational diabetes are those who have a history of the condition in their family. Also, women who are overweight or inactive have a higher than average risk of developing diabetes.

In addition to hereditary factors, there are other genetic factors at play too. Asian women or women of African-Caribbean origin have a higher than average statistical likelihood of developing diabetes.

It has also been noted that women who are carrying large babies exhibit a much higher incidence of gestational diabetes than those carrying smaller babies.

Other women at increased risk are those over the age of 35, those who have previously given birth to a large baby, those who have had a previous child with a congenital abnormality and those who have had a late-pregnancy stillbirth.

Doctors have a duty to monitor pregnant women for signs of developing the condition. They will usually screen for diabetes by administering a glucose tolerance test.

The glucose tolerance test
Before taking a glucose tolerance test, a patient is first required to go eight hours without food. She will then take a specially prepared glucose solution, before having her blood analysed at regular intervals to determine if there are any abnormalities in her body's capacity to break down glucose.

Failure of medical staff to take this course of action could potentially result in the patient having valid grounds for receiving birth injury compensation .

Effects of gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes can adversely affect both the mother and the baby. In most cases, the woman will be alright, although they may develop high blood pressure and be at a higher risk of developing type II diabetes in the future.

The risks, both before and after birth, to the child are much higher.

During pregnancy, the baby is much more likely to grow abnormally large, something which can lead to the need for a caesarean section.

After birth, the baby may develop hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or congenital difficulties such as Respiratory Distress Syndrome or a heart defect. While a heart defect is permanent, most cases of RDS will resolve themselves over time.

Unfortunately, gestational diabetes is associated with a marginally but significantly higher rate of stillbirth. However, if it is detected early and managed well, this risk should be insignificant.

Many studies also suggest that gestational diabetes is linked with a higher incidence of adult type II diabetes developing.

Claiming birth injury compensation
If you or your child were subject to substandard or negligent medical care at any time during pregnancy or birth, you may be entitled to claim birth injury compensation.

Our medical negligence solicitors are widely regarded as being among the very finest in the UK.

Governed by the strict standards of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, their services are available to you for absolutely no legal costs or fees.

If you would like to lodge your birth injury compensation claim with us today, simply call 0800 10 757 95.

Alternatively, you may wish to fill out an online claim form, request a call back or discuss your claim using e-chat.