Knowing that the size of the baby they are carrying can make some parents feel happy. However, make no mistake, carrying a large baby is also not very good because there are various health risks that lurk.
Containing a large baby is at risk for various health problems. In pregnant women, the risk that lurks is not only a difficult delivery, but also the tearing of vaginal tissue, to bleeding after giving birth.
While in infants, the risk is to suffer from obesity and diabetes later in life, and possibly to develop metabolic syndrome in childhood. This is the reason why pregnant women need to pay attention to the weight of the fetus from time to time to avoid giving birth to large babies.
Conditions That Cause Big Babies in the Womb
Pregnant women are said to be carrying a large baby, if the baby weighs more than 4 kg. In medical terms, a baby weighing more than 4 kg is called macrosomia.
All pregnant women actually have the opportunity to carry a large baby. However, there are several factors that can increase this possibility, namely:
1. Being overweight during pregnancy
Pregnant women who have gained a lot of weight during pregnancy or who have been overweight before becoming pregnant have a higher risk of carrying a large baby.
A study showed that the risk of pregnant women with obesity to conceive a baby with macrosomia reached 32 percent. Meanwhile, pregnant women with excess body weight have a 19 percent risk of giving birth to large babies.
2. Suffering from gestational diabetes
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes are most at risk of having a large baby, because high blood sugar levels can cause the baby to grow large. Gestational diabetes is often experienced by women who had diabetes before becoming pregnant.
3. Ever given birth to a baby with a large weight
Pregnant women also have the opportunity to give birth to large babies if:
- Giving birth past the due date, which is more than 2 weeks from the due date (HPL)
- Suffering from high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Pregnant at the age of more than 35 years
- Conceiving a baby boy
- Have a family member who has given birth to a big baby
If pregnant women are among those who have the opportunity to carry a large baby, you should consult a gynecologist for advice and further treatment steps.
Things Pregnant Women Need to Do with Large Babies
To find out the size of the baby, the obstetrician will perform an ultrasound examination. The weight measured during this examination can differ by about 10 percent from the baby's actual weight at birth.
If the results of the examination show that there is a tendency for the pregnant woman to carry a large baby, the doctor will usually suggest the right delivery steps and monitor the health condition of the pregnant woman and fetus on a regular basis until the time for delivery arrives.
Some things that pregnant women need to do when carrying a large baby are:
Check blood sugar level
If the baby in the womb is large, the doctor may check blood sugar levels to detect whether the pregnant woman has gestational diabetes or not. The results of this examination will help the doctor to provide the right treatment.
Prepare for labor
Large babies increase the risk of difficult delivery so that it is possible to cause tearing of the perineum, postpartum bleeding, prolonged labor, and disruption of the tailbone.
Therefore, pregnant women need to be more prepared if they want to continue giving birth normally. One way is to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly.
Although the opportunity for vaginal delivery exists, the average large baby needs to be delivered by cesarean section. So, pregnant women also need to be prepared if the doctor recommends this method of delivery.
Just in case the baby may need special care
Babies who are large are at high risk of experiencing labor complications, such as shoulder dystocia. A baby's body size that is too large can cause it to get stuck in the birth canal, putting it at risk of injury during birth. In addition, large babies are more at risk of having low sugar levels at birth.
To find out if the baby's weight in the womb is normal or not, do regular pregnancy check-ups. If the doctor declares the baby in the womb to be large, ask the doctor for advice on handling steps and choosing a safe delivery method.
