Gestational Diabetes Negligence & Misdiagnosis Compensation Claims.

Gestational diabetes can happen to any mother during pregnancy, however there are a number of risk factors that increase the likelihood of the condition developing, including:

• A mother who is considered overweight or obese
• A family history of diabetes
• Gestational diabetes diagnosed in a previous pregnancy
• A previous pregnancy in which the baby weighed 10lb or more
• A mother who’s ethnic background is Black or African Caribbean, Middle Eastern, or South Asian

At your first antenatal appointment the midwife should check if any of the above risk factors apply to you, and you should then be offered a gestational diabetes test in your final trimester. If you are considered high risk for gestational diabetes and this was not recognised or acted upon by the medical professionals responsible for your care, and you then went on to develop the condition which was subsequently undiagnosed or mismanaged, you may have a case for claiming clinical negligence compensation. Our team of compassionate and professional clinical negligence solicitors can offer advice and assistance, so please do get in touch.

There are a number of different symptoms which women with gestational diabetes may present with, including:

• Feeling more thirsty than usual
• Urinating more often, particularly at night
• Increased levels of tiredness and fatigue
• Losing weight unintentionally
• Blurred vision
• Thrush or genital itching

Some of these symptoms are experienced during pregnancy anyway, such as frequent urination and fatigue, but if you notice any symptoms out of the ordinary it is always advisable to see your doctor or midwife as soon as possible.

Mothers who have one or more of the risk factors for developing gestational diabetes will be offered a test to screen for the condition between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. The test is called a glucose tolerance test (GTT), and involves a fasting blood test, followed by a glucose drink, and a final blood test two hours later to assess how the body is coping with the glucose.

If gestational diabetes is diagnosed, it can be managed fairly simply in most cases with some changes to diet and exercise, for example cutting down on processed sugar and refined carbohydrates to avoid spikes in the blood glucose levels. Some mothers may need to take medication in order to keep their glucose levels in check.

A diagnosis of gestational diabetes puts the pregnancy in the “high risk” category and requires additional monitoring to identify any complications before they become dangerous. Monitoring is typically done via additional ultrasound scans at 28, 32, and 36 weeks gestation, and weekly checks from 38 weeks pregnant, in order to monitor the baby’s growth and the amount of amniotic fluid present.

Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes can be a stressful and confusing time for an expectant mother, but with the correct management most women will go on to have a healthy pregnancy with no further complications.

However, if your gestational diabetes is undiagnosed or not managed effectively, the continuous high blood sugar levels could lead to complications for both mother and baby, including:

• A baby with a large birth weight – this increases the likelihood of induced labour and assisted delivery which can lead to shoulder dystocia and potentially Erb’s Palsy.
• Vaginal birth may not be possible, leading to a caesarean section which, if not offered quickly enough, could mean the baby is starved of oxygen and develops Cerebral Palsy.
• A larger than average baby could result in tearing during labour or increase the need for an episiotomy.
• The baby may be born prematurely and may need to spend time in neonatal intensive care due to underdeveloped lungs and a weak immune system.
• The baby could be born with low blood sugar levels.
• The baby could have a higher risk of developing diabetes in their childhood.
• The mother could develop type 2 diabetes after the pregnancy has ended.
• High blood glucose levels can affect how well the placenta works, which could potentially lead to a late miscarriage or a stillbirth occurring.

If you notice any changes in your baby’s movements, please phone the triage at your local maternity unit as a matter of priority. There are staff there 24/7 and you will not be wasting anyone’s time by going in for a check-up. If you are concerned for any reason, the staff will always be happy to help put your mind at ease or provide prompt treatment for any issues that arise.

If your gestational diabetes was undiagnosed or unmanaged by the medical team responsible for your care, and you and/or your baby have suffered from the complications caused by high blood glucose levels, you may be entitled to make a claim for medical negligence compensation. Please don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable and experienced team of medical negligence solicitors today and we’ll be more than happy to offer assistance and advice.