C-Section For Gestational Diabetes
If you suffered with gestational diabetes during your pregnancy and you think you should have been offered a Caesarean section, you need to speak to a solicitor about the care you received.
Gestational diabetes and big babies
Gestational diabetes is when a woman expecting a baby develops diabetes for the duration of her pregnancy. Normally the diabetes will go away once the baby is born. As long as gestational diabetes is managed correctly, there is no reason why the mother or baby should come to harm.
However, gestational diabetes can have certain side effects, including macrosomia. Macrosomia is when the baby is large for its gestational age. In particular, women with gestational diabetes can have babies with very large bellies.
Should I have a C-section?
Because of this risk, the size of the baby should be monitored throughout the pregnancy. If the unborn baby is deemed to be large, medical practitioners must advise a patient upon the best course of action. This may either involve inducing the birth before the pregnancy has reached full term. Or it may involve carrying out a C-section. Normally an elective Caesarean section will be offered to women whose baby weighs 10lbs or more.
It is necessary to take such action because it may be dangerous to wait until the baby is at term and then proceed with a vaginal delivery. This is because the baby could become stuck during the delivery, a complication known as shoulder dystocia.
Furthermore, giving birth to a large baby/baby with a big belly will put the mother in danger of a serious perineal tear – meaning either a third or fourth degree tear. These injuries involve the anal sphincter complex and can lead to faecal incontinence. Therefore they are best avoided if possible.
Substandard level of medical care
If medical practitioners fail to advise a patient that she needs an induced labour or an elective C-section, the level of care will be considered substandard. If mother or baby subsequently comes to harm, there may be a case of medical negligence.
To talk to a solicitor about a medical negligence claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. We specialise in clinical negligence law and will be able to suggest whether or not you have been the innocent victim of medical error. If we believe there is a case to be answered, we will help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
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