Gestational Diabetes Claims

Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that can affect women during their pregnancy.

It affects women who haven’t been affected by diabetes before.

It can happen at any stage of pregnancy but is more common in the second or third trimester.

Some are at a higher risk of developing the condition, they include those with:

• A family history of diabetes.
• A body max index of 30 or more.
• Had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
• Previously had a baby weighing over 10 lbs.
• Family origins from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, black Caribbean or Middle Eastern.
• Are over 40.
• You have had a gastric bypass or other weight-loss surgery.

Every woman with one or more of the risk factors for gestational diabetes should be offered a screening test for gestational diabetes. If such tests are not performed then this can lead to a delay in diagnosis,

If the appropriate treatment is not provided, or the mother and baby are not monitored appropriately during the pregnancy, this can lead to complications.

Every woman at risk should be offered a screening test. A woman may be screened for gestational diabetes at her first antenatal appointment at around 8-12 weeks into the pregnancy.

She should be asked questions to ascertain whether she is at increased risk. If one of the risk factors is identified then you will be offered a blood test.

A glucose tolerance test is normally performed at 24 – 28 weeks.

If such tests are not performed then this can lead to a delay in the condition being diagnosed and this can result in complications which could have been avoided.

Advice will be given about monitoring and controlling the condition, which can involve changes to diet and exercise. For others, it will be necessary to take medication to control sugar levels.

It will be essential for the mother to learn how to monitor her blood glucose levels.

If gestational diabetes is diagnosed a pregnancy will be monitored more closely as the unborn child may be at risk of complications. Monitoring may include:

• An ultrasound scan at 18-20 weeks.
• An ultrasound scan at weeks 28, 32, 36 and regular checks from week 38 of the pregnancy to monitor the baby’s growth and the amount of amniotic fluid (which surrounds them in the womb).

If during the pregnancy, there have been no issues detected, labour can proceed naturally.

However, some women are offered the opportunity to have their labour induced before week 41.

If the baby is noted to be particularly large medical professionals should discuss the possibility of performing a cesarean.

When a woman has gestational diabetes they should give birth in a hospital to ensure sufficient monitoring.

During the labour mother’s blood sugar levels will be measured every hour and if a mother has been taking insulin it may be necessary to continue to receive this medication on a drip during labour.

When the baby is born, their blood glucose levels will be measured. If their sugar levels are noted to be low then they may be fed via a drip. Some babies have to be monitored closely in the neonatal unit.

After giving birth if any medication had been prescribed to control the sugar levels this will normally be stopped straight away. The mother’s blood glucose levels will normally be tested about 6-13 weeks after giving birth to ensure the sugar levels have returned to normal.

The mother will still require a blood test once a year to see whether they have developed type 2 diabetes.

At Hudgell Solicitors we pride ourselves on providing immediate support to our clients, which continues throughout all medical negligence compensation claims to conclusion and beyond. This includes;

Immediate practical help – Dealing with practical issues immediately at hand, from speaking to employers to signposting to charities and organisations able to offer support.

Independent medical opinions – If required we will secure independent medical opinions on the treatment provided to you. This can be crucial in securing admissions of negligence.

Financial assistance – We always seek to agree on early interim payments with defendants to provide vital support required, such as for home adaptations or aids and equipment.

Rehabilitation – We work with some of the country’s best case managers and rehabilitation experts who oversee complete packages of physical, psychological and physiotherapy support.

Support with a long-term focus –We partner with financial experts to provide advice after settlement to make sure your compensation has the maximum positive, long-term impact.

As one of the UK’s leading medical negligence compensation claims teams, our solicitors have decades of experience in succeeding in even the most complex of cases. We understand you’ll want to know why things went wrong and how things will change, and will work to secure you the compensation you need to make the best recovery possible.

The amount you can expect to receive in medical negligence compensation depends on your specific case details. Factors affecting your NHS compensation can include the nature of your injury or illness, the impact the negligence has on your day-to-day health, your ability to work and your future health, including any long-term care.

Compensation damages may be awarded for:

• Pain and suffering caused.
• Loss of earnings and future loss of earnings (such as being at a disadvantage in the labour market/loss of employability and reduction in potential earnings.).
• Cost of surgery or medical procedures required after the negligence.
• Adaptions required to your home to help with daily living.
• Costs of occupational therapy requirements, such as aids and appliances to assist with daily needs.
• Costs of current or future care.
• Travel expenses for medical appointments or equipment.

There is no set answer, however, our team are dedicated to securing interim compensation payments wherever possible, helping people overcome financial worries and cover the cost of much-needed treatment, rehabilitation and often home adaptations.
We have secured many six and seven-figure interim payments in the most serious of cases relating to life-long injuries, ensuring vital support is provided whilst legal proceedings continue.

Agreed settlements will need to be approved by the court, but our expert medical negligence solicitors will guide you through this process.

If aged 18 and over, you will typically have three years from the date that the negligence occurred or from the date that you became aware of negligent treatment.

For under-18s, there is no time limit. However, once a child reaches 18, the standard 3-year claim period comes into effect.

Medical negligence claims rarely need to go to court, and usually only do so in very complex cases.