Dangers of Undiagnosed Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

 Posted on November 19, 2024 in Birth Injury

An expectant mother’s body undergoes multiple changes during her pregnancy. While some of these changes are normal, others can pose dangers to the woman and her unborn child. Gestational diabetes is a condition that can develop, usually during the second or third trimester. If undiagnosed and untreated, this condition has the potential to cause serious maternal and birth injuries.

What is gestational diabetes, and what harm can it cause? Can I sue if my doctor missed it? The knowledgeable Chicago lawyers at Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can explain your legal options during your free consultation.

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

The human body needs insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. When the demands of pregnancy exceed a mother’s ability to create enough insulin, gestational diabetes can develop. This temporary condition affects around 5 to 9 percent of U.S. pregnancies annually, typically around the 24th week. Blood sugar levels usually return to normal within a short time after childbirth, but some women later develop type 2 diabetes.

Unlike many conditions, gestational diabetes does not always produce noticeable symptoms. Mild symptoms include frequent urination and increased thirst. Still, competent physicians should test mothers for this disease and prescribe proper treatment to avoid harming the mother and child.

How Can Gestational Diabetes Harm Pregnant Women and Children?

Misdiagnosed or untreated gestational diabetes poses multiple risks:

• Increased birth weight, which can lead to birth complications and injuries

• Severe breathing issues or respiratory distress syndrome in the baby

• Premature delivery, which can cause various conditions

• Low blood sugar in babies, which can lead to seizures

• Heightened risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity for children

• Stillbirths

This disease can also increase the mother’s risk of developing other dangerous conditions, such as preeclampsia. Many women with gestational diabetes must have C-section deliveries due to the baby’s large size.

Can I Get Compensation if My Doctor Failed to Diagnose My Gestational Diabetes?

If gestational diabetes harms you or your child because your physician or midwife was negligent in your care, you may qualify for compensation. Examples of negligence include:

• Ignoring symptoms that are commonly associated with gestational diabetes

• Disregarding risk factors

• Failing to test blood sugar

• Failing to review the mother’s medical history

• Failing to prescribe proper treatment

• Failing to monitor the baby’s growth

• Failing to order a necessary C-section

The experienced attorneys at Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can investigate and evaluate your situation, determine your eligibility for compensation, and help you hold the at-fault party accountable for the harm you and your child suffered. Your damages may include:

• Medical and ongoing care expenses

• Lost income

• Therapy and rehabilitation

• Pain and suffering

You can trust us to pursue the highest available amount of compensation on your behalf.

Call Our Dedicated Cook County, IL Birth Injury Lawyers

When you need the best possible case results, call Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. at 312-462-4200. One of our determined Chicago, IL maternal injuries attorneys can help you get the full compensation you deserve.