Fetal macrosomia

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

You might not be able to prevent fetal macrosomia, but you can promote a healthy pregnancy.

For example:

  • Schedule a preconception appointment. If you're considering pregnancy, talk to your health care provider. He or she might recommend a daily prenatal vitamin. If you're obese, he or she might also refer you to other health care providers — such as a registered dietitian or an obesity specialist — who can help you make changes in your lifestyle and reach a healthy weight before pregnancy.
  • Monitor your weight. Gaining a healthy amount of weight — often 25 to 35 pounds (about 11 to 16 kilograms) — supports your baby's growth and development. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to pregnancy weight gain, though. Work with your health care provider to determine what's right for you.
  • Manage diabetes. If you had diabetes before pregnancy or you develop gestational diabetes, work with your health care provider to manage the condition. Controlling your blood sugar level is the best way to prevent complications, including fetal macrosomia.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine. Follow your health care provider's recommendations for physical activity.
Coping and support
References
  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy and Childbirth Month to Month. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2010:241.
  2. Abramocwicz JS, et al. Fetal macrosomia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  3. Rodis JF. Timing and route of delivery in pregnancies at risk of shoulder dystocia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  4. Mandy GT. Large for gestational age newborn. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  5. Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6036563. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  6. DeCherney AH, et al.. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2384988. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  7. Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://www.danforthsobgyn.com. Accessed March 19, 2012.
  8. Chatfield J. ACOG issues guidelines on fetal macrosomia. American Family Physician. 2001;64:169.
  9. Rodis JF. Intrapartum management and outcome of shoulder dystocia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  10. Routine prenatal care. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/guidelines_and_more/gl_os_prot/womens_health/prenatal_care_4/prenatal_care__routine__3.html. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  11. Tse G, et al. Weight gain and loss in pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  12. Mulik, et al. The outcome of macrosomic fetuses in a low risk primigravid population. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;80:15.
  13. Hackmon R, et al. Combined analysis with amniotic fluid index and estimated fetal weight for prediction of severe macrosomia at birth. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;196:333.e1.
  14. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins - Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No.60. Pregestational diabetes mellitus. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2005;105:675.
  15. Raio L, et al. Perinatal outcome of fetuses with a birth weight greater than 4500 g: An analysis of 3356 cases. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2003;109:160.
  16. Special tests for monitoring fetal health. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp098.cfm. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  17. Gillen-Goldstein J, et al. Assessment of fetal lung maturity. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  18. Wegner EK, et al. Operative vaginal delivery. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 21, 2012.
  19. McCulloch DK, et al. Prediction and prevention of type 2 diabetes. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 21, 2012.
  20. What is metabolic syndrome? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ms/. Accessed March 21, 2012.
  21. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 22, 2012.
  22. Cleary-Goldman J, et al. Impact of maternal age on obstetric outcome. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2005;105:983.
DS01202 May 24, 2012

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