high birth weight complications

Me at 21 weeks pregnant with twins

There are lots of big babies being born and plenty of them are very healthy. A women I know birthed a 10.7 pound baby and another had one at a little over 11 pounds. And of course, the news of this woman who had a 19 pound baby.

Like I said before, plenty of bigger babies are healthy, but there are some that aren't, so says a recent study in Norway examining over 35,000 births, found in the October issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Based on that issue, the LA Times reported that a higher birth weight could cause complications to both mom and baby.

Here were the other findings of the study:

  • If the mother was overweight pre-pregnancy (and this was more common in women who had given birth before), there were more chances of complications.
  • First-time mothers who exercised at least three times a week during pregnancy, were less likely to give birth to a baby with excessive birth weight.
  • Researchers believe that exercise during pregnancy may prevent excessive birth weight.

Problems for mom and baby for high birth weight babies can include:

  • diabetes or gestational diabetes
  • a difficult birth or c-section
  • respiratory issues
  • jaundice

I'd just like to add that both women I know who had "bigger" babies were in no way even close to being overweight. 

OK, so what is considered the right weight for a newborn? The average of those born at full-term is between 6 pounds 2 ounces and 9 pounds 2 ounces.

What do you think of this study? Does it make you want to exercise more during pregnancy?

 

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