Like most expectant parents in Providence County, you hope that your unborn baby grows and develops at a healthy rate. Some may think that the larger that a baby grows during gestation, the better. However, as we here at DeLuca and Associates Ltd have seen, large baby deliveries can often be complicated. Macrosomia is the term used to describe babies who are large for their gestational age. Your potential for having an LGA baby can often be spotted during your pregnancy in time for you to attempt to manage the factors that can contribute to this condition.
How much does your baby need to weigh to be classified as LGA? According to the online publication VeryWell.com, the average weight of babies born in the U.S. is 7lbs., 7.5 oz. Babies born at 8 lbs., 13 oz. or above are considered to be LGA. Birth statistics shared by VeryWell.com shows that roughly over 320,000 babies were born in this weight category in 2013.
If yours is an LGA baby, he or she could be at an increased risk of experiencing delivery complications such as:
- Respiratory distress
- Hyperbilirubinemia
- Shoulder dystocia
- Broken arms or collarbones
You yourself may also be at risk for perineal tears and excessive blood loss.
Gestational or maternal diabetes has been recognized as one of the leading causes of LGA babies. Excessive weight gain during your pregnancy may also contribute to a larger baby. It is up to your doctor to recognize these risk factors during your pregnancy in order to help you manage them. He or she should also check your baby’s size prior to delivery. If he or she is deemed to be LGA, knowing this allows your doctor to prepare accordingly.
You can learn more about potential delivery complications by continuing to explore our site.