Gestational diabetes is a medical condition that can have consequences for pregnant mothers and their children. While the effects of gestational diabetes can often be managed, early diagnosis is critical, and OB-GYNs must provide appropriate treatment recommendations based on the specific risks involved. Unfortunately, diagnostic and treatment mistakes are both common. When doctors make these mistakes, mothers and their families are entitled to receive just compensation under Connecticut law.
At Berkowitz Hanna, we represent mothers and families in birth injury claims involving gestational diabetes. Our Connecticut gestational diabetes lawyers have significant experience handling these types of cases and are intimately familiar with the medical and legal issues involved. We also have a deep appreciation for the practical consequences of maternal and fetal complications resulting from gestational diabetes. Because of this, we are fully committed to recovering the full financial compensation our clients deserve.
Gestational diabetes is seen in pregnant women who did not have diabetes prior to pregnancy. It usually shows up in the middle of a pregnancy, and women are generally checked for the condition during their second trimester.
Diabetes is characterized by having high blood sugar. For women who are pregnant, having high blood sugar can lead to both maternal and fetal complications. As a result, the CDC recommends that expectant mothers who are at risk for gestational diabetes eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and monitor their blood sugar regularly, and their doctors must provide appropriate counseling, diagnostic testing, and treatment as well.
Gestational diabetes can potentially lead to a variety of different complications for the mother and her baby. When a mother is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, her pregnancy is generally considered to be “high-risk,” and this means that additional monitoring and treatment may be necessary. Without this additional monitoring and treatment, risks to the mother and fetus include:
Medical mistakes at all stages of pregnancy and childbirth can increase the risk of complications from gestational diabetes. This actually starts pre-pregnancy, when doctors should consult with mothers-to-be regarding any risk factors that may be present. During pregnancy, doctors should appropriately test for gestational diabetes and monitor the mother’s and fetus’s symptoms. If a mother develops gestational diabetes, appropriate care must be taken to ensure safe delivery. If a child is born with neonatal hypoglycemia or any other condition linked to gestational diabetes, then the child’s condition must be appropriately diagnosed, monitored, and treated as well.
Risk factors that can increase the risk of gestational diabetes that doctors must take into consideration when providing medical advice to expectant mothers include:
Due to the high risk of medical mistakes leading to complications from gestational diabetes, all mothers who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes and who experience complications (or whose newborn children experience complications) should speak with a birth injury lawyer about their legal rights. Our firm handles birth injury claims against health care providers in Connecticut. And if you are entitled to compensation, our Connecticut gestational diabetes attorneys can recover the financial reparations you deserve.
Even if you have health insurance or the financial resources needed to cover the costs of necessary medical care, you should not have to incur these costs yourself if your doctor was negligent. Additionally, medical complications due to gestational diabetes can lead to various other financial and non-financial costs as well, and these are all costs for which financial compensation is available under Connecticut law.
Do you have questions about seeking financial compensation for complications caused by gestational diabetes? If so, we encourage you to get in touch. To speak with one of our experienced Connecticut gestational diabetes lawyers in confidence, call our office or contact us online today.
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