Harmful Addictions 

When the fetus is considered large. Possible complications during childbirth. What is the risk of complications

Who was born to you?

Boy, 3800.

It just so happened that the news about the birth of a baby is accompanied by information about his weight. Every pregnant woman wants to give birth to a healthy, strong baby. Very often you have to hear notes of pride in your voice: And our Vanka was born in 4500! Bogatyr!

So the pregnant mommy thinks, how can she give birth to the same! But is it worth it? - the opposite question arises.

There is no single answer, no matter how hard you try to analyze and compare everything. After all, every woman is different. If we write now that it’s better to give birth to an “average” hero, there will be mothers who will say: we gave birth to three of 4800 each - and nothing: we are alive, healthy and happy. Personally, I myself have such acquaintances. And they gave birth quite easily. At the same time, it is difficult to give birth to a kilogram baby. So, again, everything is individual.

Throughout pregnancy, the doctor calculates the estimated body weight of the unborn baby. Naturally, not for the sake of curiosity. These indicators indicate whether the baby is developing correctly, and can also suggest what the birth itself will be like. You can calculate the body weight of the child as accurately as possible using (the dimensions of the head, diameter and, length of the femur and humerus are compared). By external signs, it is impossible to reliably determine the weight of the unborn baby. A very large belly is not an indicator at all.

There is an opinion that if a large fetus is suspected, a pregnant woman is immediately prepared for a caesarean section. However, this is not always the case. For such an operation, such a factor is not enough. There must be other indications for a caesarean section. For example, an anatomically narrow pelvis occurs in 5-7% of pregnant women. Such a diagnosis can be made to you by taking a series of measurements. If there is a discrepancy between the size of the fetal head and the pelvis of the expectant mother, it will be safer to perform a caesarean section. An indicator for the operational resolution of childbirth is almost always the breech presentation of the child and the narrow pelvis of the mother. In this case, even a fruit weighing from 3.5 kg is large. But you should not worry, because women give birth even to heavy babies without complications. The main thing is to trust the doctor and believe in yourself.

So what exactly determines the mass of the unborn child?

One of the reasons for a large fetus is heredity. The same principle applies here, according to which twins and triplets are born. Therefore, if large children were born in your family or your husband's family before, the same fate awaits you. The physique of the father also matters. Naturally, the baby will have someone to go to if he is born with a body weight above 4 kg. Statistics also state that during repeated births, the weight of the baby is always several grams more than the previous one.

Definitely, you will give birth to a difficult baby if there is a post-term pregnancy. It is considered as such if its duration is increased by 14 days. 42 weeks of pregnancy is already a pathology. In addition to the fact that the baby will be large, there are more dangerous complications during childbirth.

Diabetes mellitus in a mother also provokes a large weight of her unborn baby. Indeed, in the body of a woman, the absorption of glucose is impaired, there is a failure in metabolism, because of this, too much glucose enters the baby's blood, which means that its growth rate is much higher than normal. It is likely that in this situation, the baby himself will inherit a disturbed metabolism. If a woman who is carrying a large fetus has a late one, the level decreases - the doctor can cause artificial premature birth. Indeed, in such cases, there is a danger of the death of the fetus in the womb.

And yet, the most common cause of the birth of heroes is the malnutrition of a pregnant woman. Eating "for two" is by no means impossible. Also give up extra buns and sweets in favor of vegetables and fruits. In the second half of pregnancy, eat no more than 400 grams per day of foods that contain a large amount of carbohydrates. Their excess leads to both you and the baby. It is best to take care of enriching the body with useful substances and vitamins. Both you and your baby need calcium. Therefore, do not forget about dairy products. Eat often, but in small amounts.

Remember, it doesn’t matter at all what weight your angel will be born with, the main thing is that both he and you are healthy!

Especially for- Tanya Kivezhdiy

There is an opinion among our grandmothers and mothers that a child born with a large weight is a "hero", "strong man" and so on. In fact, this is not an indicator of good health. A large fetus during pregnancy is one of the pathologies that can lead to a number of complications for the health of a woman and a child, as well as problems during childbirth.

What is a large fruit?

In order to dispel the fear of expectant mothers and define the concept of this pathology, let us clarify that a large fetus (or macrosomia) is called which, in terms of indicators, differs from normal development. With macrosomia, the development of the fetus is ahead of the norms established for a specific period. At birth, children with this diagnosis will weigh more than four kilograms. In addition to weight, the height of the child also increases. Normal is 48-54 centimeters. Children with macrosomia are over 56 centimeters tall. Sometimes they are born even with a height of 70 centimeters.

If at birth the baby has a weight of five or more kilograms, then this is called a "giant fetus". The birth of a giant baby is a very rare occurrence that occurs once out of several thousand births.

A large fetus is accompanied by a number of risks that you need to know about and which can be prevented in time.

signs

Symptoms that a woman may suspect that she has a large fetus may appear in the middle of pregnancy. The circumference of the belly of the expectant mother is noticeably increasing every day. It is worth noting that this may not always be a large child. An increase in the circumference of the abdomen can serve as polyhydramnios, which is also quite common.

During pregnancy, you need to clearly control your weight. That is the mark of a large child.

The rate of weight gain of a pregnant woman

In addition to your own weight, you should monitor the growth and weight gain of the baby. Modern ultrasound machines provide such information.

The rate of increase in height and weight of the child

The gynecologist can make the most accurate diagnosis only closer to the beginning of the third trimester. It is during this period that one can judge by the circumference of the abdomen: if the waist of the expectant mother already exceeds 100 centimeters, then the doctor assumes the presence of a large fetus. After that, the pregnant woman is sent for an ultrasound to rule out polyhydramnios. In addition, a few weeks before the preliminary date of birth, some more activities need to be carried out:

  • find out the weight of the child on ultrasound;
  • take a blood test for glucose tolerance and a mandatory visit to an endocrinologist;
  • limit or cancel the intake of anabolics (drugs aimed at enhanced formation and renewal of new cells and tissues);
  • get rid of flour, sweets and other foods that have carbohydrates and fats;
  • do physical therapy every day.

Important advice for all expectant mothers! You should not start to panic and get upset if you find out from a big baby. It is important to correctly analyze the possible causes of a large fetus during pregnancy. If the reason is nutrition - exhausting yourself with diets is very dangerous for the baby and for the mother. At the same time, excessive nervousness can lead to premature birth, which can also lead to a lot of consequences.

In addition, frequent nervous situations can affect the further psychological state of the child: he can be born very restless. In this situation, you need to trust the doctors and impeccably adhere to all recommendations.

Causes

You should immediately dispel the myth for people with a large physique. You can often hear that if the parents are not small, then why would a child be born a three-kilogram baby. In this case, heredity does not play any role. The general type of figure is passed on to the child much later. Therefore, if the doctor said on an ultrasound scan that a woman has a large fetus, this is not because of the full physique of her or the father of the child. A baby cannot inherit a dense constitution even in utero.

The causes of a large fetus during pregnancy can be several factors, knowing about which in advance, you can prevent the risk of falling into this category.

Wrong food

One of the main causes of a large fetus is precisely overeating during pregnancy. Increased appetite is quite normal. This is due to the fact that the child is growing and also requires food. In utero, the baby receives the necessary substances for growth from the mother's food.

Very often, pregnant women face the problem of constant hunger throughout the day. Trying to drown it out, the expectant mother constantly eats. This is what contributes to the weight gain of both the baby and the mother. As you know, after giving birth, it is very difficult for a mother to get rid of extra pounds.

Therefore, in order for the child not to rapidly gain weight, the expectant mother should follow a diet. And with a feeling of hunger that will occur between meals of the main meal, you should choose low-calorie snack foods. It can be vegetables, diet bread, yogurt, cottage cheese or fruits.

Medications

Due to individual characteristics during pregnancy, some women are prescribed certain medications. If during pregnancy there are problems with the preservation of the child or with insufficient uteroplacental blood flow, special drugs are prescribed to preserve the pregnancy. It is these drugs that can cause a large fetus to develop. When using various drugs, the expectant mother is observed by a gynecologist, so any changes are recorded and canceled if they have a negative effect on the development of the child.

Number of births

If a woman does not have her first birth, then each subsequent child is born larger than the previous one. Although a large fetus during the first pregnancy also occurs.

Sedentary lifestyle

If a pregnant woman leads a sedentary lifestyle, this also causes excess weight for both her and the child. Of course, expectant mothers need a lot of rest, but in moderation. There is fitness for pregnant women. This is a great way to lead a moderately active lifestyle, keep fit, while not harming the child.

Diabetes

In some cases, women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It may be due to heredity. If someone in the family had diabetes, then this can be passed on to the expectant mother, since during the bearing of the child the body experiences severe hormonal disruptions.

Also, the reason for the development of diabetes can be frequent viral and autoimmune diseases of the expectant mother. They affect the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of insulin in the human body.

Another cause of gestational diabetes may be the birth of a child in the past over 4.5 kilograms or stillbirth for unknown reasons.

Location of the placenta

If the placenta is attached to the back wall of the uterus, then the supply of nutrients is more active. Also, if it is thickened in its condition, it requires intensive intrauterine nutrition of the baby, which can cause a large fetus during pregnancy.

Postterm pregnancy

A post-term pregnancy is when a woman does not give birth within fourteen days after 40 weeks. It is during this period that the child is most actively gaining weight and increasing in height. In addition, at birth, the baby has dry skin, long fingernails and toenails, no primordial lubrication and already hardening skull bones.

Rhesus conflict

If the expectant mother has a negative blood Rh factor, and the child has a positive Rh factor, then there can be many consequences. One of them is fluid retention in the tissues of the fetus, which affects the weight of the baby.

The cause of the Rh conflict may be the inheritance of the father's blood type by the child. It can also occur if the expectant mother has gone through a procedure such as a blood transfusion.

Not in all cases, a large child can cause serious complications. But clearly the causes and consequences of a large fetus during pregnancy are accompanied by the peculiarities of bearing a child. The most severe complications that a woman may face will be in the last weeks of pregnancy: fainting, digestive problems and heavy breathing, constipation. The heavier the child, the more discomfort it provides to the mother. There may be pain in the ribs and lower back, as well as varicose veins and fainting in the supine position. In addition, the appearance of stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, unfortunately, is almost inevitable.

Based on the causes and consequences of a large fetus in a pregnant woman, the question is raised about the method of delivery. If the expectant mother has a narrow pelvis, and the child is large, then natural childbirth is not recommended. With a large fetus, a caesarean section is the best choice.

If the baby is large, then during natural childbirth, many consequences can appear: birth injuries in the child, fistulas and tears in the mother. If the fetus is only slightly higher than normal, then you should not insist on a caesarean section. Mom will be able to give birth on her own. Moreover, with a timely identified reason why the baby is ahead of development in utero, by the end of pregnancy, its growth can be corrected.

The most important thing for a future mother is her child. Therefore, she must be calm, reasonable, listen to doctors and undergo all necessary medical examinations. Then the baby will be healthy, and the mother will be happy.

There is an opinion among the population that the large weight of the fetus speaks of health and strength, but only mothers who have given birth to "heroes" and doctors know what difficulties they have to face during childbirth and after the birth of a child. If you believe the statistics, then the birth of a large child is noted in 5 - 10% of all births.

Definition of concepts

A large fetus or macrosomia is said to be when its fetometric indicators of intrauterine development significantly exceed the established norm for a particular gestational age, or the weight of a newborn is 4 kg or more. In addition to the weight of the child, his height is also taken into account, for example, in a normal baby, growth is in the range of 48 - 54 cm, while the length of a fetus with a large weight is 54 - 56 cm, and in some cases reaches 70 cm.

If the weight of the child at birth is 5 kg or more, then they speak of a giant fetus. The birth of giant children is less common than large ones, and has a ratio of 1/3000 births.

Causes

Why a child is born large is explained by many reasons, which can be due to both the characteristics of the woman's body and the individual characteristics of the baby developing in the uterus. These factors include:

genetic predisposition

It is noted that heredity also plays a role in the birth of a large child. Physically developed and tall parents have a greater opportunity to produce a large baby.

Increasing the duration of pregnancy

Normally, pregnancy lasts 38 - 41 weeks (see). If the gestational age exceeds the upper limit of the norm, they talk about over-pregnancy, which can be true and false. With true overwearing, a child is born with obvious signs of overwearing: dry, without original lubrication of the skin, its wrinkling, waters have a greenish or grayish tint, and their number is reduced. Such phenomena are explained by the aging of the placenta, the formation of multiple calcifications in it, and a decrease in its functions. The lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to the development of placental insufficiency, hypoxia and even fetal hypotrophy.

Diabetes in a woman

The birth of a large baby (or on ultrasound more than the gestational age) may be due to the presence of diabetes in the mother or its development during gestation (gestational diabetes). Children are born with a number of characteristic signs, which is called diabetic fetopathy. The large weight of the fetus is the result of hormonal storms and constant jumps in the level of glucose in the woman's blood. A characteristic sign of diabetic fetopathy is excessive weight gain in the baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy against the background of developing polyhydramnios. Accordingly, the child, although born large, is initially unhealthy. Pregnant women with diabetes are hospitalized no later than 32 weeks, examined and decide on the timing and methods of delivery.

Rh-conflict pregnancy

One of the reasons that determine the size of the fetus over the term is. This complication of gestation occurs when a child with a positive Rh factor is born by a woman who has a negative Rh factor. As a result, the unborn child develops a hemolytic disease, which is characterized by anemia and jaundice, and in extremely severe forms, swelling joins them, which is called the edematous form of hemolytic disease. At the same time, fluid accumulates in the fetal cavities (abdomen, chest), and the liver and spleen increase significantly in size. Massive edema and hepatosplenomegaly determine the large weight of the child.

Features of the placenta

The structural and functional features of the placenta can also provoke the formation of a large baby (see also). Often, at the birth of a child with a large body weight, a placenta of large size and thickness (5 cm or more) is noted. A thick and massive placenta promotes an intensive exchange of nutrients and microelements, which accelerates the development of the fetus. In addition to an increase in the volume of circulating blood and intensive blood supply to the child, there are bursts of placental hormones, which indirectly affect the metabolism in the mother's body and enhance the growth and development of the baby.

Subsequent pregnancies ending in childbirth

A directly proportional relationship was noted between the number of births and the body weight of children born. After the second, third, and so on, a large fetus is formed, which is about 30% larger than the size and weight of the firstborn. Doctors explain this fact in two ways.

  • Firstly, the psychological factor matters, a woman, bearing a second / third child, is familiar with the processes of pregnancy and childbirth, is more balanced and calm.
  • Secondly, the large size of the baby during the next pregnancies is due to the best conditions for intrauterine nutrition due to the developed circulatory network in the uterine wall.
  • Also, the conditions for intrauterine growth and development of the second child are much better due to the greater extensibility of the uterus and slight resistance of the abdominal muscles.

The nature of the nutrition of a pregnant woman

An important role in the increase in the weight of the child is played by the nutrition and lifestyle of the woman, especially after the 20th week of pregnancy (see). Hypodynamia, a growing belly, a passion for high-calorie foods (consumption of muffins, sweets, pasta) leads not only to the accumulation of fatty tissue in the expectant mother, but also provokes macrosomia in the fetus (see).

Obesity

Excessive weight of the expectant mother also plays a role. This is due not only to poor nutrition of the pregnant woman, but also to impaired lipid metabolism in her body, which provokes a violation of the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the fetus, intrauterine damage to the liver and pancreas, and activation of compensatory reactions in the placenta. All these factors contribute to the rapid growth and weight gain of the fetus. In the case of obesity of the 1st degree, a large fetus is born in 28% of pregnant women, with the 2nd degree, the probability of a large child increases to 32%, and with the 3rd degree, up to 35%.

Taking medications

Uncontrolled consumption of certain drugs by a pregnant woman, which improve uteroplacental circulation and activate anabolic processes (for example, gestagens,) also contribute to weight gain.

Other factors

The age of a woman (under 20 or over 34 years old), the presence of inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system, can also affect the size.

Large fruit: signs and diagnosis

If a woman has a large belly during pregnancy, this is not necessarily evidence of a large child. Multiple pregnancy should be excluded and (many pregnant women neglect the passage of ultrasound during such an important period of life).

By 38 weeks of pregnancy, and sometimes even earlier, the clinical manifestations of a large fetus are objective data obtained during a visit to an obstetrician. At each appearance in the antenatal clinic, a pregnant woman is measured body weight, an increase of 500 grams. weekly, against the background of absent edema and other signs of gestosis, makes the doctor suspect a large weight in the baby.

In the case of a large fetus during pregnancy, the signs are determined by the size of the woman's abdomen (circumference and height of the fundus of the uterus), evidence of this is the exceeding dimensions: The circumference of the abdomen is more than 100 cm, and the height of the fundus of the uterus is more than 40.

The estimated weight of the fetus is calculated by the formula: coolant is multiplied by VDM.

Since a baby with a large weight in utero takes up more space, the internal organs of a woman are subjected to greater compression and infringement and experience a significant load. As a result, the pregnant woman notes frequent urination, heartburn (reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus), constipation and shortness of breath. A large uterus presses on the inferior vena cava, which can provoke fainting in a horizontal position lying on your back. The load on the musculoskeletal system increases, which is manifested by pain in the legs, lower back, spine and ribs. Possible occurrence or worsening of the course of varicose veins of the legs. Also, there is a high probability of stretch marks on the abdomen and an increase in the tone of the uterus.

Ultrasound is of great importance in the diagnosis of a large fetus, with a thorough measurement of the fetal data of the fetus and the determination of its estimated weight. The circumference of the head and abdomen, the length of the femur and humerus are measured. A large head and a significant size of the abdomen, an increase in the liver and spleen, the identification of fluid in the body cavities indicates an edematous form of hemolytic disease.

The course of pregnancy

Pregnancy in women with a large fetus proceeds, as a rule, without complications. All the described complications (fainting, problems with the digestive tract and shortness of breath) develop by 38-40 weeks of pregnancy with a large fetus. There is a high probability of developing placental insufficiency and progressive hypoxia as a result of a discrepancy between the uteroplacental blood flow and the rapidly increasing weight of the child. Pregnancy features include:

  • a thorough examination to exclude polyhydramnios and;
  • exclude diabetes mellitus - conducting and consulting an endocrinologist;
  • calculation according to ultrasound data and the size of the pregnant belly of the estimated weight of the fetus;
  • physiotherapy;
  • diet correction (exclude easily digestible carbohydrates and refractory fats);
  • cancellation or restriction of taking drugs - anabolics.

The course of childbirth

“How to give birth if the fetus is large?” expectant mothers ask. The answer is not the course of childbirth, which, with large sizes, have their own characteristics. Spontaneous childbirth of a child of considerable size is often complicated by the following circumstances:

Clinically narrow pelvis

This complication develops when the fetus has a large head, and even with full disclosure (10 cm) of the uterine os, it does not advance, which is called a mismatch in the size of the head to the woman's pelvis. It is characteristic that the size of the maternal pelvis may be within the normal range, but still, childbirth is difficult even with good and strong contractions. If there is also an anatomical narrowing of the pelvis (the size of the pelvis is shortened by 1-1.5 cm or more), the question of a caesarean section is raised.

Untimely outpouring of waters

Early discharge of water (before the opening of the pharynx by 8 cm) is due to the high standing of the baby's head, so due to its large size it cannot press against the entrance to the small pelvis and move forward, and there is no separation of water into the anterior (fetal bladder) and posterior. Early outflow of water is dangerous by prolapse of the umbilical cord or small parts of the child (leg, handle). In addition, this complication slows down the process of opening the uterine os, which lengthens the 1st period of labor and exhausts the woman in labor. If the anhydrous interval continues for 12 hours or more, the risk of the uterus is also high. If the umbilical cord or part of the fetus falls out, immediate operative delivery is indicated.

Anomalies of tribal forces

Childbirth with a fetus of large size is often complicated by anomalies of labor activity. A protracted course of childbirth leads to a decrease in the intensity and frequency of contractions (weakness of the birth forces develops, both primary and secondary). The child begins to suffer, intrauterine hypoxia increases (at first it becomes more frequent - tachycardia, then it slows down - bradycardia), which is also an indication for caesarean section.

Threat of uterine rupture

The straining period of childbirth with a large child is also fraught with danger. In the process of passing the fetal head through the birth canal, it is configured, that is, it acquires a shape that is convenient for overcoming the planes of the small pelvis (the bones of the skull "layer" on top of each other). With a disproportionate size of the baby's head and the mother's pelvis, the lower uterine segment is overstretched, which threatens to rupture it.

Fistula formation

Due to the prolonged standing of the baby's head in the same plane of the pelvis, the soft tissues of the birth canal (cervix and vagina) are compressed, but in addition to them, the bladder and urethra in front and the anus in the back are also compressed. This leads to impaired blood circulation in the tissues, ischemia, and then necrosis (necrosis). Necrotic tissues are shed after childbirth and genitourinary and/or rectovaginal fistulas are formed.

Rupture of the pubic joint

Difficult passage of the baby's head can damage the pubic articulation (rupture of the ligaments and divergence of the pubic bones), which often, especially in severe cases, requires surgical intervention after childbirth (see).

Shoulder dystocia

Childbirth with a fetus with a large weight can be complicated by difficult removal of the shoulders, which is typical for children with diabetic fetopathy (the size of the shoulder girdle is much larger than the size of the head). In this situation, special benefits are provided, which can result in fractures of the clavicle, humerus or cervical spine.

Cephalohematoma or cerebral hemorrhage in the fetus

The development of such complications is due to anomalies of the birth forces, disorder and subsequent. When the head is configured, there is an excessive displacement of the cranial bones and a sharp compression of them, which causes hemorrhage in the brain or under the periosteum.

Birth management

In the case of the diagnosis of a large fetus, what will be the delivery: operative (caesarean section) or through the natural birth canal (spontaneous birth) depends on many factors. Carrying out the planned:

  • large size of the fetus in women under 18 and over 30 years of age;
  • combination of breech presentation and a large child;
  • prolongation of pregnancy with a large child;
  • anatomical narrow pelvis, regardless of the shape and degree of narrowing, and the large weight of the child;
  • anomalies in the development of the uterus, myomatous nodes and a large fetus;
  • indications requiring the exclusion of the straining period (cardiovascular pathology, high myopia) and a large child;
  • large fetal weight and aggravated obstetric history (birth of a dead child in the past, and the use of assisted reproductive technologies).

A caesarean section for emergency indications is performed for any complication during childbirth (threatening uterine rupture, improper insertion of the head, etc.).

In the first 2 hours after childbirth (early postpartum period), there is a high risk of developing hypotonic uterine bleeding, which is due to prolonged labor and excessive uterine distension.

When drawing up a plan for childbirth through the birth canal, take into account:

  • childbirth should be carried out under the monitoring control of the child's condition and;
  • in childbirth, it is obligatory to maintain a partogram (drawing up a schedule taking into account the time of each period of childbirth, disclosure of the uterine os, intensity of contractions);
  • during childbirth, re-measure the size of the pelvis;
  • adequate and timely anesthesia and the introduction of antispasmodics;
  • in the pushing period, prophylactic administration of reducing agents in order to prevent weakness of attempts;
  • early diagnosis of a clinically narrow pelvis;
  • prevention of bleeding in the afterbirth period and in the first 2 hours after childbirth.

Children born with a weight of 4 kg or more are at high risk for morbidity and mortality at an early neonatal age (up to 28 days of life), the development of birth injuries (cephalohematoma, cerebral hemorrhage, fractures of the shoulder, collarbone), the development of metabolic disorders and pathology of the central nervous system.

Question answer

Is hospitalization necessary before delivery when pregnant with a large fetus?

Yes, all women diagnosed with a large baby are advised to go to the hospital in advance, at 38-39 weeks. The doctor will carefully measure the size of the pelvis and abdomen, assess the condition of the pregnant woman (the presence of extragenital diseases and complications of pregnancy), the readiness of the cervix (maturity) and draw up a plan for the management of childbirth. And if there is evidence, the decision on the issue of a planned caesarean section and preparation for it.

How can the development of a large fetus be prevented?

First of all, it is necessary to adhere to a balanced diet from the first days of pregnancy. Food should contain the necessary amount for a pregnant woman of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The expectant mother should give up overeating, excessive passion for sweets, pastries, fatty and fried foods, and if the condition allows, do special exercises for pregnant women and avoid hypodynamia (frequent and prolonged lying and sitting).

This is my first pregnancy and I have a large fetus. Will I have to have a caesarean section?

No, it is not necessary at all, especially in the first childbirth of young women. Most often, pregnancy and the birth of a large fetus in young healthy women proceed without complications and end happily.

A large fetus is a fetus that has a body weight of 4000 grams or more at the time of its birth. Often for a woman, even a baby weighing 3800 is already heavy, and it is not easy to give birth to him, however, the weight limit beyond which this diagnosis is made is 4000 ... If the weight of the newborn exceeds 5 kg, they talk about a giant fetus, there are known cases of the birth of babies whose body weight exceeded 7 kg .

Excessive weight of the baby in modern obstetrics is becoming a problem, because more and more babies are born with a lot of weight. At the same time, the large size of the child makes childbirth difficult, can cause complications, birth trauma, and can even be a reason for a caesarean section. Statistics show that every fifth child today is born weighing more than 4 kg.

Large fetus during pregnancy, causes

Why are women now increasingly giving birth to massive children and is it good? Improving human living conditions, easy availability of any food, changing eating habits and a large number of expectant mothers suffering from excess weight have led to this pathology.

We no longer give birth to 8-10 children, as we once did, we enter pregnancy as healthy as possible, and we take care of the child, trying to eat as well as possible and taking vitamins.

The slightest deviation in the condition of the child, the placenta is a reason to prescribe drugs that improve blood circulation in the placenta, to impose on a woman a regimen with restriction of motor activity. And the baby in the stomach is only engaged in gaining weight, it is laid in it, to grow and take the maximum for its growth that its mother can give it. And now she can give him literally everything.

Childbirth at an older age, which is so common now, in itself contributes to the birth of massive babies, affects the weight of the child and overmaturity, and hereditary predisposition.

This is facilitated by the prevalence of such a disease as diabetes mellitus. Once upon a time, not very long ago, literally in the last century, women were supposed to fast during the last weeks of pregnancy. It was precisely those foods that contributed to weight gain by the child, such as fatty and sweet foods, wheat flour, butter, that were limited ... A modern pregnant woman does not even think about such a diet, and the arrow of the scales does not scare at all, after childbirth, excess weight can be lost.

Women used to work until the day they gave birth. Today, starting from the 30th week, we get the opportunity to lie quietly on the couch, and eat, eat, eat ... And only when childbirth begins, the "big baby" becomes the body's response to these features of our life and pregnancy in modern conditions.

The reasons for the birth of large children may also lie in deviations in the development of the baby himself, his illnesses.

You are at risk if:

You are overweight
- the child has a tall and strong father
- you have diabetes
- you are going to have a second birth
- in your family, women usually give birth to children with a large weight
- if you are postponing this pregnancy

Large fetus, ultrasound diagnostics

A large fetus during pregnancy is diagnosed using ultrasound and calculations for the circumference of the abdomen and the height of the fundus of the mother's uterus. The trend towards deviation from the norm begins to be clearly observed only from the middle of pregnancy, before that all children develop approximately the same.

On ultrasound, the excess weight of the baby is diagnosed when the size of the circumference of the baby's head, tummy, the length of his thigh ceases to correspond to the gestational age, he overtakes him.

Large fetus and caesarean section

If you are told that the baby is overweight, a cesarean is not necessarily an inevitable outcome, often women are quite able to give birth even to a very large child through the birth canal. As a rule, this is a relative indication for caesarean section, and a caesarean section must be performed if other factors are present at the same time, such as, for example, a narrow pelvis or breech presentation.

A problem due to the large size of the child may arise during the birth itself, the clinical discrepancy between the fetal head and the mother's pelvis will lead to the need for surgery, and the massive body can simply get stuck with the shoulders, and this often ends with a fracture of the baby's collarbone.

The decision on how to conduct labor in the presence of a large fetus is made at 38 - 40 weeks of pregnancy, most likely, you will be hospitalized before the onset of labor, in advance.

How to make sure that the child is born with a normal body weight?

You should not perceive pregnancy as a disease, continue to be active, move. Eat right, do not lean on fatty and fried foods, avoid sweet and starchy foods, do not eat for two and make sure that only wholesome and healthy food is on your plate. If you have diabetes, despite the fact that during pregnancy you will definitely feel very good, strictly follow the dosages of drugs prescribed by your doctor, do not give up medicines.

And most importantly, stay positive. We are all very different, very individual. Perhaps everyone in your family gives birth to big babies? And you will give birth, you will cope on your own without any complications, because for you it will be the norm.

A big belly during pregnancy does not mean. That you will certainly have a big baby. But there are several signs by which this can be determined with a high degree of certainty.

In the first trimester, around the 8-12th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother undergoes the first planned ultrasound. It is during this study that the specialist specifies the gestational age, measures the length of the fetus in centimeters, or rather, its coccyx-parietal size (KTR). From this moment on, the tiny creature will take on specific shapes for you. There are still a few months ahead, during which the baby will develop, grow stronger and prepare for the birth.

Diagnosis of the size of the fetus

Predictions about the size of the fetus can only be made starting from the middle of the third trimester. The doctor will pay attention to the increase in the volume of your abdomen. If the waist size exceeds 100 cm, the doctor will suspect that you have a growing hero. And he will definitely send you for an ultrasound, which will allow you to determine the size and circumference of the fetal head, as well as the size of his abdomen and chest. Then the doctor will calculate the estimated weight of the fetus using a formula that takes into account all these parameters.

Control yourself: weigh yourself every week and keep a weight gain schedule. And don't forget to take it with you when you go to your doctor's appointment. Until the 20th week, you can add no more than 700 g per week, from the 20th to the 30th - about 400 g, and after the 30th - only 300-350 g.

The overall weight gain for the entire pregnancy is individual and depends on your constitution. Find out your rate. Thin women by the time of childbirth can gain up to 15 kg. If you have an average build, then the increase should be 10-12 kg. If you are considered "chubby", be especially vigilant: the upper limit of your weight gain is about 7 kg. Don't overdo it so you don't regret it later!

Fetal size by week

The doctor will determine the size of your pelvis during the first visit, at registration. The necessary parameters (there are five of them) are measured using a pelvis meter in the supine position and on the side, as well as during a vaginal examination. If at least one of the sizes is less than the norm by 1.5-2 cm, they speak of an anatomically narrow pelvis. It occurs in 5-7% of women.

The indication for caesarean section is a functionally (clinically) narrow pelvis. Such a diagnosis is made when there is a discrepancy between the size of the head of the fetus and the pelvis of the expectant mother. These cases make up only 1-2% of all births. But it happens that an anatomically narrow pelvis is functionally sufficient for natural delivery.

Table of Fetal Sizes (KTR) by week

big baby

A large baby can be born due to some ailments of the expectant mother or due to her improper behavior during pregnancy.

Incorrectly formulated diet may adversely affect the health of the fetus. Most often, a large baby is born in those women who combine foods incorrectly and love large portions. To eat right, follow our recommendations when compiling a menu for every day.

Heredity- the second most influential factor leading to the development large fruit. If you or your husband were born large, be prepared for the birth of a hero.

Diabetes pregnant woman causes an increase in glucose levels in the baby, which stimulates excess secretion of insulin in his body. This hormone is known to be a growth factor. In this case, you will need constant medical supervision. Therefore, you will have to go to the hospital in advance, no later than the 32nd week. Doctors will monitor the level of sugar in the blood and urine and help you in time.

Prolongation of pregnancy also leads to overweight of the fetus. After all, it continues to grow, despite the missed best time for birth. The doctor observing you will try to prevent this and take the necessary measures in time.

healthy eating

Love buns and a day without cookies and chocolate? Do not forget that an excess of carbohydrates leads to excess weight. In your position, you both get better. In this case, the baby lacks the nutrients necessary for normal growth and development. And extra grams are stored in reserve. Believe me, it is better to watch this now than to fight with an overweight baby when he is born.

  • Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Make salads, add greens to them and season with vegetable oil.
  • Avoid fried foods. Switch to stews, boiled and baked dishes.
  • Limit the use of salt (this is a wonderful prevention of edema!) And spices.
  • Save the sweet buns for later. Buy rye bread or products made from whole wheat flour.
  • Prepare a variety of drinks from fresh fruits. Cook unsweetened compotes, squeeze juices, make cocktails.
  • Don't forget dairy products. They improve the work of the intestines, enrich the body with calcium and protein.

Follow these simple rules - and the baby will grow up healthy even before it is born. And the birth will be successful!