Memphis Birth Injury Attorney
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that develop during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes, which affects between 1-3% of all pregnant women, usually develops in the second trimester, but can appear as early as the 20th week of pregnancy. Woman with gestational diabetes have higher levels of glucose (sugar), which can be unhealthy for both the expectant mother and the baby. For this reason, it’s important for all pregnant women to seek medical treatment as soon as they’re diagnosed with diabetes.
How Can Gestational Diabetes Affect the Baby?
If left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to a number of problems with your baby’s health, such as:
- Jaundice
- Breathing problems
- Low blood sugar
- Your baby may be born very large, with excess fat. This can lead to complications during the delivery process, such as premature delivery, brachial plexus palsy, cephalopelvic disproportion (the baby’s head is too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis), other serious birth injuries.
Contact the Law Office of John Whitfield
Gestational diabetes can easily be managed to prevent serious health risks to both the mother and the baby. Regular exercise such as walking, sticking to a balanced diet, taking insulin (if necessary), and checking your blood sugar on a frequent basis are just some of the ways you can prevent gestational diabetes from spiraling out of control. Your doctor, nurse, and/or obstetrician should be closely monitoring your glucose levels throughout your pregnancy to ensure both you and the baby are in good health. If your health care provider failed to diagnose gestational diabetes, and as a result either you or your baby has suffered some types of serious injury or complication, you have the right to take legal action.
If you think your doctor failed to provide you with adequate prenatal care, please don’t hesitate to contact Memphis birth injury lawyer John Whitfield for experienced legal advice and dedicated representation. You can depend on Mr. Whitfield to protect your rights, stand up for your best interests, and help you recover the compensation you rightfully deserve!