Should Have Had C-Section Because of Diabetes
Diabetes can make an unborn baby very large. If this does happen, the mother should be offered a Caesarean section.
If there is a failure to perform a C-section despite there being known risks to the mother, the standard of care could be deemed negligence. If this causes an injury that would otherwise have been avoided, there may be grounds for a medical negligence compensation claim.
To talk to a legal professional about making a claim for compensation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. We will be more than happy to talk to you.
Diabetes and macrosomia
Diabetes causes high levels of glucose in the blood. When someone with diabetes (or gestational diabetes) falls pregnant, the high glucose levels will be transferred to the unborn baby. This will make the baby grow unusually quickly. Medically this is known as 'macrosomia'.
Giving birth to a large baby
There is nothing especially dangerous about having a larger than average baby, just as long as the correct medical care is provided. In particular, the mode of delivery must be carefully considered to ensure both mother and baby remain safe.
If a mother is keen for a vaginal delivery, it may be decided to induce labour before she reaches full-term – for example, after 38 weeks of pregnancy. The birth may also need to be overseen by a consultant.
This is important because a large baby can get stuck during a vaginal delivery. This is potentially very harmful as the baby may be temporarily starved of oxygen. Even if the baby is uninjured, the mother may sustain a severe tear that runs from the vaginal opening down to the anal sphincter complex.
Vaginal birth or C-section?
To prevent these complications, medical practitioners must keep a close eye on a diabetic mother-to-be, ensuring that her unborn baby does not exceed a certain weight. If there are concerns about the size of the baby, these should be related to the mother so that she can make an informed decision.
It may be that a patient wishes to proceed with a vaginal delivery, even though there are some risks. If so, steps must be taken to safeguard the patient and her baby, such as inducing labour early.
However, medical practitioners may recommend a C-section instead, or a mother herself may ask for one.
Can I request a Caesarean section?
You are entitled to request a caesarean section. This is recommended in 2011 guidelines issued by NICE, which state:
“When a woman requests a C-section because she has anxiety about childbirth, offer referral to a healthcare professionals with expertise in providing perinatal mental health support to help her address her anxiety in a supportive manner.”
“For women requesting a C-section, if after discussion and offer of support…a vaginal birth is still not an acceptable option, offer a planned C-section.”
“An obstetrician unwilling to perform a C-section should the woman to an obstetrician who will carry out the C-section.”
Thus you do have the right to request a Caesarean section. You will be offered mental health support, but if you still want a C-section this should be arranged.
C-section for diabetic mother
Patients with diabetes are known to be at risk of macrosomia, so particular attention should be paid as to the size of their unborn baby, and the risks this can pose.
If medical practitioners believe that it would be in the mother/baby's best interests to have a C-section, this should be recommended – even if the mother wants a vaginal delivery.
On the other hand, if a mother is concerned and requests a Caesarean section, this must be accepted by clinicians.
I was not told of risks
Sadly this standard of care is not always achieved and a mother is not told about the risks she and her baby face with a vaginal delivery.
If you are a diabetes sufferer (or you had gestational diabetes), you could be the victim of substandard care if you were not:
- Advised that you had a larger than average baby
- Advised that you/your baby could be at risk during a vaginal delivery
- Advised that you should have an elective Caesarean section
If any of the above applies to you and you/your child suffered harm as a result, you need to contact a solicitor. This is because you could be entitled to claim compensation.
Montgomery v Lanarkshire
There may be a case of negligence because you were not properly consented for the vaginal birth, as you were not told of all the risks.
The issue of consent was recently highlighted in a ruling in which a diabetic mother gave birth by way of vaginal delivery. Her baby was very large and became stuck, resulting in a lack of oxygen and brain damage. She claimed she was not told of the risks. If she had been, she would have asked for a Caesarean section. The judge found in her favour.
I was refused a Caesarean section
Alternatively it may be that you expressed concerns about giving birth vaginally, particularly considering that you were at risk from diabetes/macrosomia, but you were refused a C-section.
If this occurred in England or Wales after the 2011 NICE guidelines were introduced, you will have received a substandard level of care. If this has caused you to suffer injuries that would have been prevented with a C-section, you could be entitled to pursue a claim.
Speak to a solicitor
If you believe that you should have had a Caesarean section but were prevented from doing so by medical professionals, you need to speak to a solicitor. A solicitor who handles medical negligence claims will be able to say whether or not you are able to make a claim.
Making a claim can help you to recover the money you have lost because of medical error. It can also help you achieve a sense of justice.
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