Not Correctly Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a condition that affects thousands of pregnant woman every year within the United States. Gestational Diabetes can not only be risky for the mother, but it can also create complications for the unborn baby. The doctor must be very vigilant when it comes to detecting gestational diabetes. If detected early, there are many treatments used to treat gestational diabetes. The treatment of gestational diabetes serves as a prevention for any pregnancy complications.
How does it affect the baby?
A variety of health conditions can affect the baby if gestational diabetes is not treated properly once the mother is found to have it. It can not only affect the baby during pregnancy but also for the remainder of their life. Below are some health complications that can arise from gestational diabetes:
- Going into labor before the due date: Preterm labor and birth is a possible complication that can occur when a mother encounters gestational diabetes. The increased blood sugar levels can make the labor happen before time. Also, there may be an induction if the baby is found to be large. Since the baby is not fully developed, they can experience respiratory distress syndrome which makes it difficult for the baby to breathe. The baby would have to be in an incubator with tubes assisting him or her to breathe.
- Macrosomia: Is a condition known when a baby is too large; an excess of 9 pounds. The excess glucose in the mother’s bloodstream triggers the baby’s pancreas to create too much insulin which causes him or her to grow at an exponential rate. When this occurs, many doctors will recommend that the mother performs a C-section delivery to reduce the chance of shoulder dystocia occurring.
- Low blood sugar: A condition known as hypoglycemia can develop from a mother with gestational diabetes. Hypoglycemia causes the baby to have a low blood sugar and can cause them to have seizures.
- Obesity/Type 2 Diabetes: There is an increased chance that the baby develops type 2 diabetes and obesity when their mother has gestational diabetes during their pregnancy.
How does it affect the mother?
The mother can also be affected by gestational diabetes, just like the infant. She can develop serious conditions that can affect her health. These are the following conditions:
- High blood pressure and Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is a condition that can be fatal for both the mother and infant. It causes extremely high blood pressure.
- Diabetes: A mother who has had gestational diabetes during her pregnancy is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later on in life. If she chooses to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating healthy, then she reduces the chances of contracting type 2 diabetes.
Seeking Legal Advice For Failure to Diagnose Gestational Diabetes
The doctor of a mother who has gestational diabetes needs to be constantly monitoring the mother’s blood sugar levels to make sure that the mother is healthy. A healthy mother will more than likely have a healthy delivery. If a mother or infant suffered a condition due to a doctor’s negligence or a failure to diagnose gestational diabetes, then the victim would be able to file a claim against the person/s who did not properly manage and diagnose the mother’s gestational diabetes.
Percy Martinez Law Firm’s Miami medical malpractice Lawyers have been associated with various GD cases that have caused severe health complications for the mother and infant after delivery. They have fought for the full compensation for the mothers and innocent infants that have suffered at the hands of a doctor’s negligence. Do not wait to get in touch with them at (305) 529-0001.
