Fetal Macrosomia: How Your Doctor and Obstetrician Can Help
When you are pregnant, you will want to work closely with your obstetrician to catch potential health problems early. One problem your obstetrician may be able to help you control or prepare for is fetal macrosomia. In some cases, you can prevent or reduce your chances of this condition.
However, you may not have much control over other risk factors. This doesn't mean you can't do anything about it. Here is more information about fetal macrosomia, its risk factors and how your obstetrician can help with a positive outcome.
What Is Fetal Macrosomia?
Fetal macrosomia is the technical term for a baby who is unusually large at birth. It applies to babies whose sizes and weights are higher than the 90th percentile for their gestational age. This number is based on average percentages for all births. Measurements are made using your fundal height and amount of amniotic fluid. In some cases, you could have large baby measurements but have a normal-sized baby at birth.
What Are the Risk Factors of Fetal Macrosomia?
Risks vary based on genetic history and previous births. The more children you have already given birth to, the higher the risk of a large baby is. Your risk is also higher if you were a large baby. The risk also goes up as you get older.
One of the biggest risks for fetal macrosomia is diabetes either before or during pregnancy. That doesn't mean you will automatically have a large baby if you have diabetes, though. But you must keep your diabetes well-controlled to prevent this condition.
How Does Fetal Macrosomia Affect the Baby?
Though many women can still have a vaginal birth with fetal macrosomia, you do have a higher risk of needing a caesarian section. Vaginal births can be tricky with these cases and raise the risk of injuries to both you and the baby during the process. Some children may have blood sugar and metabolic issues after birth.
How Can an Obstetrician Help With Fetal Macrosomia?
Your obstetrician will work with your doctor to keep your baby in good health until you can deliver. Your doctor can help you manage risk factors like diabetes and excessive weight. The obstetrician can help you prepare for the birth process and educate you on possible complications. Many women have normal births despite having a fetal macrosomia prediction.
While you can't always prevent fetal macrosomia, that doesn't mean you can't deliver normally. If you have one of the risk factors, then your doctor and obstetrician may require more frequent visits to ensure your baby is healthy. If fetal macrosomia concerns you, ask your general practitioner or obstetrician for more information.