Gestational Diabetes Risks for Mother and Baby

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that appears in pregnant women who have not previously been diabetic. The condition involves increased blood sugar levels in the mother's blood. It usually resolves itself when treated properly or after the baby is born. When an expectant mother has gestational diabetes, her glucose levels are increased because the hormones that the placenta releases can impair proper insulin regulation. During a pregnancy affected by gestational diabetes, the hormones that are released improperly make it more difficult for the mother's body to manage her blood sugar levels.

When gestational diabetes is diagnosed and treated early, many mothers have perfectly healthy babies, and there are no long-term complications for mother or baby. However, when gestational diabetes isn't diagnosed and treated promptly, there can be serious complications to both mother and child – some that may be lifelong. That's why testing for gestational diabetes is part of normal routine prenatal care. It's a doctor's responsibility to make sure that the testing is done correctly and that mothers-to-be are properly treated and monitored when they are found to have the condition.

When Is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?

Traditionally, gestational diabetes screening takes place between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. However, recent research and updated guidelines recommend earlier screenings for women who are at high risk. This includes pregnant women with obesity, a history of gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In those cases, a fasting glucose screening can be performed as early as the first trimester, often before fourteen weeks of gestation.

Doctors are responsible for recognizing risk factors and ensuring timely screening and intervention. Failure to do so can result in preventable harm and may constitute medical malpractice.

What Are The Risks Of Gestational Diabetes For Pregnant Women?

If not properly managed, gestational diabetes increases a mother's risk for a range of complications, including:

• Increased likelihood of C-section: High maternal blood sugar levels can lead to fetal overgrowth (macrosomia), making vaginal delivery difficult or impossible and increasing the likelihood of cesarean delivery.
• Premature birth: Gestational diabetes raises the risk of early labor, which may result in complications depending on the baby's gestational age.
• Preeclampsia: This dangerous condition involves high blood pressure and can lead to seizures, organ damage, or even death if left untreated. Gestational diabetes increases the likelihood of preeclampsia and associated complications like placental abruption.
• Stillbirth: Poorly managed gestational diabetes can result in fetal death in the womb.
• Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy: Women who have gestational diabetes are about ten times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within five to fifteen years post-pregnancy.

What Are The Risks Of Gestational Diabetes For Babies?

Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes face their own risks, which can include:

• Premature delivery: Babies born before 37 weeks may suffer from complications such as breathing difficulties, jaundice, or developmental delays.
• Large birth weight (macrosomia): This increases the chances of delivery complications, such as shoulder dystocia, a condition in which the baby's shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone during delivery.
• Birth defects: Babies exposed to poorly controlled blood sugar in utero are at greater risk of congenital conditions, including brain and heart abnormalities, spina bifida, and caudal dysplasia.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): After birth, some babies may experience rebound hypoglycemia and require glucose treatment or feeding support. In severe cases, this can result in seizures.
• Long-term health effects: Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and glucose intolerance later in life.
• Neurodevelopmental concerns: Recent studies suggest a possible link between gestational diabetes and a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

How Can You Reduce Risks Of Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes can often be managed successfully through a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and close monitoring. Some evidence-based strategies include:

• Diet and exercise: A Mediterranean-style diet and moderate, regular physical activity have been shown to help stabilize blood sugar and reduce the risks of macrosomia and metabolic complications.
• Medication: While insulin is commonly used, oral medications like metformin may offer additional benefits, such as lower maternal weight gain and better glucose control in some patients.
• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding after delivery may help reduce the mother's long-term risk of type 2 diabetes and support healthier weight trajectories in infants.

What Happens If Doctors Fail To Diagnose Gestational Diabetes?

Healthcare providers are expected to follow established prenatal care guidelines, including timely screening and management of gestational diabetes. If a doctor or provider fails to identify or treat GDM and that failure results in harm to the mother or baby, the family may be entitled to compensation through a birth injury lawsuit.

Contact Ross Feller Casey Today

If your family has suffered injuries due to gestational diabetes not being diagnosed and properly treated, then you may be able to file a claim for the financial burden and pain and suffering it caused. At Ross Feller Casey, our experienced attorneys and on-site physicians can help you with your claim. We have handled many gestational diabetes birth injury cases and have a track record of securing large financial recoveries for families who have been affected by medical malpractice or negligence.

Contact our law office today to schedule your free case review. Let Ross Feller Casey help your family as we have helped so many others.