A new study released on May 7th by the Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand demonstrates that the common prescription diabetes drug metformin is just as effective in treating gestational diabetes as insulin alone.

The 363 women who received metformin during the course of the study experienced the same side effects as the 370 women who received insulin injections.

Of the women who received metformin, 77 percent said that they would continue to use the drug if they had developed gestational diabetes in another pregnancy.  Of those 77 percent, about 46 needed additional supplemental insulin at some point during the pregnancy.

Of the women who received only insulin shots, 27 percent said that they would continue to use only insulin if they developed subsequent gestational diabetes.

Despite the positive results of this study, the researchers assert that more research needs to be done in order to fully understand the possible side effects of metformin. Doctors need to treat their patients with caution.

Gestational diabetes is a serious condition that affects 20 percent of pregnant women. It can result in serious risks to both the baby and the mother. If not treated properly, gestational diabetes can result in premature labor and birth injuries, which can develop into serious disabilities as the baby grows.

Birth injury attorneys are working on cases in which children have developed cerebral palsy and other serious conditions due to medical negligence.

A recent study conducted by Kaiser Permanente shows that the number of women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes has doubled between 1999 and 2005. Diabetes is a serious disease which can have a dangerous impact on pregnancy.

The study shows that in 1999 the 0.81 percent out of 100 women had a preexisting form of diabetes while pregnant. In 2005, the amount of women with preexisting diabetes jumped to 1.82 per 100 births.

The researchers that conducted the study claim that the rise in diabetes is linked with the rise in obesity. Both obesity and diabetes can lead to serious conditions during pregnancy, leaving the child more susceptible to birth injuries.

Diabetes increases the risk of miscarriage, still birth, birth defects and difficult deliveries. It is very important that a doctor monitors pregnant women with diabetes.

Birth injury attorneys are working on cases in which doctors and hospitals have failed to properly monitor and care for pregnant women with diabetes, resulting in serious birth trauma.  
 

Obesity during pregnancy may be a contributing factor to birth trauma and birth defects, such as spina bifida.

Many consider it normal for women to gain excess weight during pregnancy. It is assumed that women should eat more and rest. This can lead to excess weight gain, much more than what is healthy during pregnancy.

Pregnant women should only increase their calorie intake by 100 to 300 extra calories.

Obesity during pregnancy can contribute to other serious ailments, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or caesarean section. Babies of obese mothers may suffer from jaundice, hypoglycemia or respiratory distress syndrome.

Birth defects may consist of spina bifida, heart defects, anorectal atresia and birth trauma. Birth trauma can lead to brain damage, cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy or shoulder dystocia.

It is imperative to follow a doctor’s direction regarding weight. In turn, it is imperative for doctors to monitor and encourage the proper weight for pregnant mothers.

If your child, or the child of a loved one, has suffered birth defects or birth trauma as a result from improper guidance by their doctor, contact a birth defect attorney at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606. An experienced birth trauma lawyer will be able to evaluate if you are eligible to seek compensation.