Risks associated with fetal macrosomia increase greatly when birth weight is more than 9 pounds, 15 ounces (4,500 grams). Fetal macrosomia may complicate vaginal delivery and can put the baby at risk of injury during birth. Fetal macrosomia also puts the baby at increased risk of health problems after birth.
What is macrosomia? When an infant weighs more than 8 pounds 13 ounces at birth, she's considered a "big baby" — or one with macrosomia. Macrosomia can occur when a baby gets more nutrients in utero than she needs, causing her to grow faster and larger than usual.
In general, babies tend to be in the same weight range as their parents. In other words, if you were nine pounds, eight ounces at birth, it's incredibly unlikely that you'll give birth to a five-and-a-half-pound peanut.
If ultrasound exams during pregnancy show that your baby is very large, your healthcare provider may recommend early delivery. You may need a planned cesarean section. After birth, a baby who is large for gestational age will be carefully checked for any injuries that happened during birth.
When a baby is very large, there is a greater possibility of a difficult delivery and birth injuries. The risks of macrosomia for the baby are: A difficult birth: The baby can have trouble getting through the birth canal and even get stuck.
Babies who are large for gestational age are at higher risk for a breathing problem called respiratory distress syndrome. They also may be at risk of breathing meconium into the lungs around the time of birth.
There are many causes, but the two most important are uncontrolled diabetes and having obesity. You can reduce your risk of having a large baby by managing these conditions. Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet can help you achieve a healthy pregnancy and reduce your risk of complications.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you're told the fetus measures ahead or behind schedule, try not to worry. It usually just means an ultrasound or further testing is needed. The fetus is more than likely developing perfectly.
Long term, babies born large for gestational age have an increased risk various poorer health outcomes such as diabetes, obesity etc.
Currently, the evidence tells us that induction for a suspected larger baby does not decrease your baby's likelihood of a stay in the NICU. The most recent evidence indicates early induction (37-38 weeks) can increase your baby's risk of needing treatment for jaundice (which can sometimes mean a longer hospital stay).
A father's genetic code influences the weight of a baby at birth, according to a new study led by the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH).
Australia's heaviest baby was Stephen Lyttle, weighing in at 7.399 kgs (16 lbs 5 ozs), born at Kempsey hospital NSW. The average baby weight in Australia is 3.35 kgs (7.4 lbs).
Does my huge pregnant belly mean I'll have a bigger baby? Not necessarily. While some babies are macrosomic and truly are just measuring larger than average, showing early or feeling like you have a huge pregnant belly doesn't mean you're destined to deliver a bigger baby.
Yes. There's no way to predict exactly how big this enormous infant will become, but studies have shown a linear correlation between birth weight and adult size (as measured by the body mass index). We also know that the length of a baby is associated with its eventual height and weight.
The general size and shape of your belly don't have much to do with your baby, their health, or their size. A healthy baby can grow regardless of how your belly looks. The way you carry has more to do with you than it has to do with your baby.
Interestingly, mamas of larger babies report the second stage of labour is usually quite a lot easier than previous babies who were smaller. Some midwives say this is because the woman's muscles can get a better grip on a larger baby to help push them out.
Vaginal birth is still recommended is your baby is estimated to weigh less than 5,000 g (10 lbs) if you don't have diabetes. If your baby is estimated to weigh more than 4,500 g (8.4 lbs), and your labor stalls in the active stage or the baby doesn't descend, this is an indication for cesarean delivery.
While we might hear, anecdotally, that big babies are less fussy, hit milestones earlier and sleep better because they don't feed as frequently as smaller infants do, our experts agree that there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Ultrasound-determined due dates are most accurate during the first trimester, and measuring 'ahead' doesn't result in a changed due date in most cases.
Genetic factors and maternal conditions such as obesity or diabetes can cause fetal macrosomia. Rarely, a baby might have a medical condition that makes him or her grow faster and larger. Sometimes it's unknown what causes a baby to be larger than average.
Measuring large for gestational age means your fundal height is more than 3 centimeters larger than expected for your stage of pregnancy, based on your due date. You could be measuring large for gestational age if: Your due date is off. (The ultrasound can help your provider figure out a more accurate due date.)
A baby on the 5th percentile weighs less than 95% of other babies of that age. A baby on the 90th percentile weights more than 90% of other babies that age.
MYSURU: A woman gave birth to a baby weighing 4kg at Motherhood Hospital in the city through normal delivery. The 24-year-old woman has delivered a baby girl. It is a rare case for an Indian baby's weight to be more than normal. A normal baby's weight is around 2.5 to 3.5kg during birth, said hospital authorities.