We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Macrosomia?

By Felicia Dye
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,117
Share

Macrosomia is a medical condition that results in the body being abnormally large. This condition is generally noted in babies whose birth weight exceeds a certain amount. It is believed that macrosomia is often the result of a diabetic mother. Other factors that may cause the condition include obesity of the mother, overdue delivery dates, and previous overweight births. Women of African descent and Hispanic women are typically regarded as most likely to give birth to macrosomic babies.

Medical professionals do not have a complete understanding of macrosomia. Some women who display no apparent risk factors give birth to macrosomic babies. On the contrary, many women with characteristics that may suggest the likelihood of macrosomia actually give birth to babies with normal weights. Women with recognized cases of diabetes are generally encouraged to manage their blood sugar. Other than this, there aren't methods to prevent macrosomia.

Giving birth to a macrosomic baby can cause a woman to bleed excessively and may cause damage to her tailbone. Macrosomia also increases a woman’s chance of needing to have a Cesarean section. It is difficult for doctors to accurately determine a baby’s weight during the pregnancy, even when ultrasounds are done.

A doctor may suggest the Cesarean based on a guess that the baby is oversized. The size of the head and shoulders may make it difficult for a woman to proceed with natural delivery. In some cases when a baby is too large, one of his shoulders may get lodged behind the mother’s pubic bone. This is called shoulder dystocia and it can be fatal for the baby.

Although doctors tend to suggest Cesareans when there are suspicions of macrosomia, it is not always necessary. Some evidence shows that many women can safely proceed with vaginal labor. Doctors may also suggest inducing labor when they believe this condition is present.

Induced labor is usually only potentially beneficial if the mother is diabetic. The reason is because it can eliminate the need for a Cesarean by causing the mother to go into labor before the baby grows too big. This method may be used if the mother wants to deliver naturally. There are risks, however, that the induction may fail.

Giving birth to a macrosomic baby can sometimes result in negative health effects for the child. In addition to shoulder injuries, a baby may experience damage to the facial nerves or brachial plexus injuries. The brachial plexis is a series of nerves that connect from the spine to the shoulders, arms, and hands. In many cases, however, macrosomic babies do not sustain any long-term or permanent damage.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-macrosomia.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.