Fetal macrosomia is the medical term for a newborn who weighs more than the average baby. A baby weighing more than 9 pounds 15 ounces may experience serious health complications. Fetal macrosomia may cause problems during a vaginal delivery, and may cause the baby to incur injuries during the birth process. Additionally, fetal macrosomia may cause a baby to experience other health issues later on.
A major problem with fetal macrosomia is that it is not easy to diagnose while the mother is still pregnant. However, a few symptoms might include an extraordinary large fundal height and an inordinate amount of amniotic fluid causing the baby to urinate excessively. The medical condition may occur if a pregnant woman is obese or has diabetes. Genetic factors may also play a significant role regarding whether a baby suffers from it.
Other risk factors include historical evidence that a woman has already given birth to a baby with the condition or when the mother's diabetic condition is not under control. Overdue pregnancies may cause a fetus to have fetal macrosomia, and the risk can also increase if the mother is older than the age of 35. Researchers have found that most of the infants who suffer from this condition are male, who generally tend to weigh more than their female counterparts at birth.
While many birth injuries are unavoidable, some are unfortunately the result of medical malpractice. Parents who feel that their child has been harmed due to a mistake made by delivery room personnel might want to discuss their situation with an experienced attorney.