People often joke about big babies, but it’s no laughing matter. Overly large infants are more susceptible to birth injuries than average-sized children. This condition is called fetal macrosomia, and is usually applied to babies over eight pounds, 13 ounces at birth. In contrast, the average baby is about seven pounds.
If you or your baby suffered injuries as a result of fetal macrosomia, you may wish to talk to an attorney. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and more.
What Causes Fetal Macrosomia?
About ten percent of all pregnancies involve fetal macrosomia, and it’s even more prevalent when maternal obesity or gestational diabetes are involved. If a mother has gestational diabetes, there’s a 50/50 chance the baby will be born macrosomic. Male babies are also much more likely to have the condition.
The main issue with fetal macrosomia is that a large baby is much less likely to be able to pass through the birth canal. This can cause injuries to the mother and baby as the doctors try to safely deliver the child.
Common Injuries Due to Fetal Macrosomia
If a baby is accurately diagnosed with fetal macrosomia before birth, it can be delivered by a scheduled c-section. The problem is that it can be very difficult to accurately weigh a child while it’s still in the womb. Doctors usually use metrics like amniotic fluid levels and fundal height (the distance from the uterus and the top of the mother’s pelvic bone). If they’re wrong, and the mother tries to deliver vaginally, they can suffer serious consequences.
- The child may not be born breathing, due to extraction methods or other complications. This requires resuscitation, which is often successful—but still incredibly traumatic.
- Shoulder dystocia. This condition occurs when the child’s head leaves the birth canal, but their shoulder gets stuck on the mother’s pubic bone. This can tear the nerves in their spinal column, resulting in serious, life-altering illnesses.
- No pregnant woman wants to think about their child dying, but unfortunately, fetal macrosomia can be fatal for the mother or child.
It’s incredibly important that your baby is accurately measured and weighed before birth, in case it would be dangerous for you to give birth vaginally. If you or your child suffered complications thanks to misdiagnosis, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
Speak with an Ohio Birth Injury Attorney
Birth injuries can have lifelong and even fatal effects—if you or your baby have suffered, I’ll Make Them Pay!®. Call me today at 877.944.4373. During our free case evaluation, we can review your options and make a plan to pursue compensation.
