Why does macrosomia occur

You might not be able to prevent fetal macrosomia, but you can promote a healthy pregnancy. Research shows that exercising during pregnancy and eating a low-glycemic diet can reduce the risk of macrosomia.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview The term "fetal macrosomia" is used to describe a newborn who's much larger than average. Fundal height Open pop-up dialog box Close. Fundal height Fundal height is the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus measured in centimeters. Polyhydramnios Open pop-up dialog box Close. Polyhydramnios In polyhydramnios, excessive amniotic fluid accumulates in the uterus during pregnancy.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. Abramocwicz JS, et al. Fetal macrosomia. Accessed March 17, Dashe JS, et al. As a result, extra glucose in the fetus is stored as body fat causing macrosomia, which is also called 'large for gestational age'.

This paper reviews studies that explored the impact of GDM and fetal macrosomia as well as macrosomia-related complications on birth outcomes and offers an evaluation of maternal and fetal health. Summary: Fetal macrosomia is a common adverse infant outcome of GDM if unrecognized and untreated in time. As the child gets older, metabolic syndrome can increase their risk for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

If tests during your pregnancy show that your baby is larger than normal, here are a few questions to ask your doctor:. Your doctor may recommend a cesarean delivery as necessary to ensure a healthy delivery. Babies born large should be monitored for health conditions like obesity and diabetes as they grow.

By managing preexisting conditions and your health during pregnancy, as well as monitoring the health of your baby into adulthood, you may be able to help prevent complications that can arise from macrosomia. Next time someone gawks at your large baby, remind them it's not nice to stare. A cesarean section — or C-section — is the surgical delivery of a baby. High blood pressure is common during pregnancy, but can also be a serious concern to monitor.

High blood pressure during pregnancy can occur due to…. A new study finds that epidurals do not affect child development in their later years. A fetal arrhythmia is an irregular heart rate — too fast, too slow, or otherwise outside the norm. It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Causes and risk factors Symptoms Diagnosis How does it affect delivery? Complications What to ask your doctor Outlook Overview Macrosomia is a term that describes a baby who is born much larger than average for their gestational age, which is the number of weeks in the uterus.

Causes and risk factors. How is it diagnosed? A larger than normal fundal height could be a sign of macrosomia. This test uses sound waves to view an image of the baby in the uterus.