DOES HAVING A BIG ABDOMEN MEAN MY BABY IS GROWING WELL?

Many women are concerned about the size of their bumps during pregnancy. They are always asking if my bump is small and it is not growing as big as I expect. Will it affect my baby? Is it safe?

The answer is your fundal height is what usually gives a midwife a clue as to whether the baby is small for date or big for date. Fundal height is what you see a midwife using tape measure to measure the bump. So it does not really depend on the appearance of your bump. A scan can also be done to determine your fetal weight. Your midwife or doctor will alert you when there is a deviation.

At birth your expected fetal weight considered normal is 2.5 kg to 3.5 kg. Anything less or more is considered as underweight or overweight.

Babies that are born and are overweight or big come with their own problem. Some include respiratory problems , birth injuries, hypothermia, hypoglycemia/reduced glucose level in the blood, still birth etc

Before your due date your doctor will request a scan. This scan can predict your baby’s weight. Together with measuring your fundal height, a doctor may diagnose that you are likely to have a big baby.

Birth has to be done by a skilled attendant in a hospital. If the baby is very big, the doctor may request a caesarian section.

Mothers with gestational diabetes are likely to have big babies and it is important that birth is done in a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit to resuscitate the baby where needed. During pregnancy glucose should be controlled to prevent complications

Eating a well balanced diet, exercising and taking prescribed medication can help you get a healthy weight for your newborn

After reading this, I hope you see that having a healthy baby does not mean the baby should be big or your bump should be big!

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