Cleveland Gestational Diabetes Lawyer
MISMANAGEMENT OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES CAN LEAD TO BIRTH INJURIES
Gestational diabetes, unlike pre-gestational diabetes, is acquired during pregnancy. It can affect women who never had diabetes outside of pregnancy. It usually starts midway through the pregnancy and means that a woman has high blood sugar (called glucose).
The body cannot make and use as much insulin as it needs. Insulin is used for help convert glucose into energy. Estimates vary about how common it is, with studies calculating between 1% and 18% of pregnancies.
The Ohio gestational diabetes attorneys of The Becker Law Firm represent mothers and children harmed by medical negligence related to mismanaged gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes has some risks for the mother and can seriously harm the baby.
Risks to the child include:
- Prematurity — Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of premature birth.
- Macrosomia — Unable to metabolize the excess glucose, the fetus grows too fat, increasing the risk of birth trauma such as shoulder dystocia injuries.
- DKA — Diabetic ketoacidosis in the mother can impair oxygenation of the unborn baby.
- Hypoglycemia — The newborn’s suddenly low blood sugar can cause respiratory problems and even brain damage.
Gestational diabetes can be treated through diet, exercise, medication, and sometimes by insulin. Negligence claims arise from the doctor’s missed diagnosis or mismanagement of this condition.
Contact The Becker Law Firm at (440) 252-4399 for a free, confidential consultation.
Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
Women are more likely to develop gestational diabetes if they:
- Are over 25 years old
- Have diabetes outside of pregnancy
- Are overweight (BMI over 30)
- Had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy
- Previously delivered a baby over 9 pounds
Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
In most cases, women with gestational diabetes are started on a diabetic diet, usually limited to 2,200 calories per day and reduced carbohydrate intake (200 to 220 grams). Women with gestational diabetes should also exercise regularly and monitor their blood glucose levels at least four times per day, according to most physicians.
For the baby’s health, electronic fetal monitoring should begin around 32 weeks and continue until delivery. Doctors will use non-stress tests (NST) or biophysical profile (BPP) to monitor the baby’s condition. In order to monitor the baby’s size, ultrasounds are used around 34 weeks to estimate the baby’s weight. One option is to deliver the baby around 39 weeks to prevent blood sugar problems in the baby.
During labor and delivery, the obstetrician must properly check the mother’s glucose levels to detect high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) that can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in the baby. Failure to identify and treat gestational diabetes is medical malpractice.
Finally, extra care should be used to ensure that highly qualified obstetricians are available to react to possible shoulder dystocia and to prevent brachial plexus injuries.
Did You Receive Proper Prenatal Care?
We have won cases in which doctors failed to monitor the mother’s blood pressure and glucose or order simple tests. Your provider—whether an OB/GYN, a family practice doctor or a midwife—also must know how to safeguard mother and child when gestational diabetes develops.
If you or a loved one has had a delivery complicated by gestational diabetes, and you believe that your child may have a brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy or developmental delays, you may have grounds for a birth injury lawsuit. Call The Becker Law Firm if you believe medical professionals failed in their duty to prevent harm. The initial consultation is free of charge and you will pay no attorney fees unless we obtain financial compensation for your birth injury claim.
Contact our Ohio gestational diabetes attorneys at (440) 252-4399 today.
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$15.9 Million Birth Injury
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$13.5 Million Birth Injury
Becker Law Firm attorneys Michael Becker and David Skall obtained a jury verdict for $13.5 million in Akron, Ohio. The case involved a now 16- year-old boy who suffered a brain injury at the time of birth (specifically a watershed injury). The doctor held liable for causing the boy’s injury is Laura Fortner, M.D., previously of Atrium OB/GYN, Inc.
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$8.7 Million Birth Trauma
Failure to Appropriately Manage Preeclampsia Resulting in Brain Damage
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$4.5 Million Birth Injury
Failure to Carefully Ligate Umbilical Cord, Resulting In Severing Child’s Great Toe, Major Fluctuation In Child’s Blood Pressure And Subsequent Brain Damage (Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Delays)
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$4.25 Million Birth Injury
Failure of Obsterical Caregivers to Recognize Maternal Hemorrhage Resulting in Brain Damage
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Your unwavering dedication and expert guidance have truly been a lifesaver. Your sharp legal mind and compassionate heart have made all the difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being there for us every step of the way. We are forever grateful Words cannot express our gratitude for everything you have done for us. Your outstanding professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to justice have been nothing short of remarkable. You have given us back our confidence and hope during a difficult time. Thank you for being our champions. Thank you so much.
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"Michael Becker helped us secure our daughter’s future needs. We will always be grateful for the impact he has had on our family."We were greeted with professionalism, expertise, compassion, respect, and a desire to provide the best quality of life for our daughter. She was always the top priority. Mr. Becker represented our daughter and family as if it was his own. His staff was equ- Kris Harmon, mother of Perri
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"Mike represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio."It was an honor having such an experienced lawyer handle my son's cerebral palsy case. He represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. Everyone at the firm made us feel comfortable about our case. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio. The Becker Law Firm is dedicated to bringing justice to their clients. I've already referred families that I know!- Knyesha Washington
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"David worked our case with professionalism and patience in an amazing way that ultimately led to a positive outcome."Right from the very beginning of our case, David Skall and his assistant Jean Witt were both extremely kind and compassionate to help us put closure on a wrongful death case involving my father at a care facility. They were quick to answer any questions that we had and they made sure we were kept in the loop of this entire process. even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, David and his team were able to adapt their technology and make it all work out for our benefit. I would strongly recommend them to anyone in need of legal help.- John Z.
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Injuries Caused by Gestational Diabetes
Babies whose mothers have gestational diabetes may end up macrosomic, which places them at risk for shoulder dystocia injuries like Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy. Additionally, large babies are susceptible to brain injuries like cerebral palsy or developmental delays caused by negligent forceps or vacuum deliveries.
The Becker Law Firm is here to help! Contact at (440) 252-4399.
