Big pregnant mother: Good sign or worrying?

An enlarged pregnancy is not necessarily a good thing because it affects mother and baby both during pregnancy and childbirth.

When you are pregnant, your doctor will monitor the size of your baby to gauge how well your baby is growing. Growth is a good indicator of the health of the fetus. In some cases, the fetus is growing beyond expectations.

Some mothers feel happy when their doctor announces the growth of a baby in the womb to a big pregnancy. In fact, this is not beneficial for either mother or child.

The following article will provide important information about this condition, including the cause, treatment, and precautions for you to experience a smooth pregnancy and successful delivery.

What is a big pregnancy?

The average weight of the newborn is about 2.8 - 3.5 kg if the baby is born at full term. A fetus weighing more than 4kg is called an enlarged fetus. In the case of an enlarged pregnancy, the risk that the mother will have difficulty giving birth and the baby's trauma during the birth will be proportional to the baby's weight. In addition, the risk of complications increases when the baby weighs more than 4.5 kg and the risk is highest when the baby weighs more than 5 kg.

Causes of big pregnancy

Many factors can affect a baby's size and sometimes the doctor himself does not know why the fetus is growing to a large size. Some opinions suggest that weight of pregnant women, health and genetic factors all contribute to the big pregnancy. In addition, there are the following factors:

High blood sugar: Pregnant mothers are more at risk of having a high weight baby if they have diabetes before pregnancy or gestational diabetes.

Have had a big pregnancy in the past: If your baby has been born weighs more than 4kg, you are more likely to see this again in your next pregnancy.

Overweight before pregnancy: If you are obese before pregnancy, pregnant mothers are likely to encounter an enlarged pregnancy.

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy: What you eat and how much weight you gain during pregnancy affects your baby's weight at birth.

Previous pregnancy: This does not always happen, but usually, the baby after the baby is usually heavier than the previous baby.

Boy pregnancy: Boys tend to be heavier than girls.

Passing the due date: The baby continues to gain weight and develop while in the womb. So if your pregnancy continues for more than 40 weeks , your baby will get bigger.

Age of the mother: You are more likely to experience an enlarged pregnancy if the pregnancy is over 35 years old.

Eat processed carbs: Many studies have shown that eating foods rich in carbohydrates not only makes pregnant women gain too much weight, but also can lead to overgrowth of the fetus. This also increases the risk of developing fetal organs in an enlarged manner.

Signs identifying big pregnancy

Usually, detecting an enlarged pregnancy is not easy. However, a few signs warn the fetus is at risk such as:

Uterine Height: When you go for prenatal check-ups, your doctor will measure the height of your uterus (the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus) of your pregnant mother. Usually, when the pregnancy reaches the 16th week, the measured length of the uterus will correspond to the gestational age in weeks. If the uterus is larger than expected, this could be a sign of an enlarged pregnancy.

Too much amniotic fluid: Having too much amniotic fluid in your pregnancy may be a sign that the pregnancy is larger than average. Amniotic fluid is a reflection of the baby's urine output, and an enlarged fetus produces more urine.

The method to help diagnose an enlarged pregnancy

In addition to measuring uterine elevation there are several factors that a doctor can diagnose for this condition including:

Weight pregnant mother: The doctor will monitor your weight gain and ask questions about your diet. The reason is obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy can lead to the risk of an enlarged pregnancy.

Pregnancy ultrasound : The ultrasound will assist in determining the fetal head size, waist circumference and upper thigh bone length. These factors determine whether the fetus is large or not.

Prenatal test: Tests such as the non-stress test or the physiological profile of the fetus will be performed to monitor the health of the baby.

Preventive measures to prevent pregnancy

In fact, you cannot prevent the pregnancy from growing to a large extent. Some babies are naturally large. But to avoid complications when the fetus is too heavy, the doctor will monitor the mother's condition during pregnancy so that the process of pregnancy and labor will be the most smooth.

1. Weight control

Do not because of the thought of eating for two people but consuming unnecessary calories, you should rely on the advice of your doctor to choose the right menu. You should avoid eating too much so as not to harm both mother and baby. In addition, the ideal weight gain suggested for pregnant mothers through each specific trimester as follows:

First trimester : about: 0.8 - 8kg

Second trimester : about 5 - 6kg

Third trimester : 3 - 5kg.

2. Control blood sugar

If pregnant women have diabetes before pregnancy or have gestational diabetes , follow your doctor's advice to manage this condition. Controlling blood sugar is the best way to prevent complications during pregnancy, including an enlarged pregnancy.

3. Exercise regularly

The appropriate intensity of daily physical activity will improve the health of the pregnant mother as well as limit the risk of developing a large fetus.

How big pregnancy affects the birth process like?

There is practically no cure for an enlarged pregnancy; instead, your doctor will make predictions about how best to prepare for your delivery. An enlarged pregnancy causes a number of problems during labor, such as:

Childbirth time is longer than usual

An infant with a collarbone fracture or some other type of bone

Infants are not getting the required amount of air

Difficulty delivery : A baby that is too big puts you at risk of having difficulty giving birth due to a shoulder jam . This can damage certain nerves in the baby's arms and shoulders and damage her pelvic region.

How big is the mother pregnant when pregnant?

1. Ordinary birth

Baby's size isn't the only thing a doctor looks at when planning a pregnancy . If the signs indicate that the baby is large, it does not necessarily mean that pregnant mothers are forced to have a caesarean section and you can still give birth normally.

Your doctor will also consider the size and shape of your pelvis, your baby's position, and the health of both mother and baby.

2. Caesarean section

Your doctor will recommend a cesarean section if there are concerns about your safety or the baby's safety such as: The baby is estimated to weigh more than 4.5kg or the pregnant mother has diabetes .

Please refer to the article:  Tips for pregnant mothers to help limit cesarean section delivery  to update many useful information.

Complications of pregnancy to the newborn

When babies exceed the standard weight, they can face the risks such as:

Have a birth injury to the head, shoulder, arm, collarbone by the doctor using a supporting device to support delivery

Babies that are older than normal are at increased risk of hypoglycemia after birth

Babies are more likely to have breathing problems due to having difficulty giving birth or inhaling feces

The time spent in hospital was longer than usual because the doctor wanted to observe the baby more closely

Weight at birth is also linked to later weight. Large pregnancies can lead to future infant obesity and associated health problems.

Major pregnancy complications for the mother

Giving birth to a baby weighing 4kg or more can put a pregnant mother at risk. Risks include:

Broken uterus

Postpartum haemorrhage

Perineal injury during childbirth, such as perineal tear or pain in the spine

Urinary incontinence: oozing urine when you sneeze, laugh or dance, or stools.

Recovery after childbirth

A rapid recovery from birth is usually possible with a baby heavier than standard. Of course, if you have a difficult delivery or have a caesarean, this stage will last longer. Therefore, you should:

Full rest

Don't overdo it

Follow-up regularly, especially if you have diabetes

Follow your doctor's instructions for wound care, perineal care .

It is normal to worry about your baby's size when it comes to delivery . However, if your pregnancy is carefully cared for and monitored, most major pregnancies are safe and do not experience serious, long-term complications.

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