The average baby weighs 7.5 pounds when it is born. But some get a lot bigger. In fact, there is a term for babies who are born weighing more than 8 pounds 13 ounces. It’s called fetal macrosomia, and about 8% of babies have it. Most babies with fetal macrosomia are born healthy and with no problems. But babies who are bigger than average can face some risks. Just recently, a giant baby with this condition, measuring 2 feet tall and 16 pounds, was born to a Brazilian woman.
The baby, named Angerson Santos, was born on January 18, 2023, through a C-section, at the Padre Colombo Hospital in Parintins, Amazonas State in Brazil. He is thought to be the biggest baby ever born in the state of Amazonas. He is 2 feet tall and weighs a whopping 16 pounds (7 kg).
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Doctors think that the supersize baby is the biggest baby ever born in the Amazonas state, which is larger than the countries of Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile combined. The previous record for the biggest baby in the world was set at 13 lb and 1.8 ft. This record was clearly broken with Angerson’s birth.
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His mother, 27-year-old Cleidiane Santos dos Santos, visited the hospital for a routine obstetric consultation. But the doctors quickly realized that the unborn baby would be too big for her to carry to full term and have a natural delivery, so they kept her in for a C-section.
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The following day, the doctors performed the C-section, and Angerson was born weighing 7.328 kg and measuring 2 feet or 59 cm tall. The not-so-little baby was placed in an incubator, but the hospital staff said he was in good health and had no problems.
Cleidiane said, “I did not expect this surprise. I thought it would be four kilos, but it turned out to be seven kilos. I want to thank the team at Hospital Padre Colombo, who have been giving me strength and treating me very well since I arrived here; if it weren’t for them, I don’t know what would have become of me. So, I thank each one.”
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Doctors said that his unusually large size might be due to his mother’s diabetes condition. Angerson is so big that none of the baby clothes his parents bought fit him. To help the family out, the hospital’s health unit has started a fundraiser. Donations of extra-large diapers and clothes for babies nine months to a year old are being accepted at the facility.
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Pedro Aluizio, who was born in Parintins in 2014 and weighed 6.74 kilograms (14 lb 8 oz) and was 1.8 ft or 57 centimeters tall, set the previous Amazonas state record. Before that, the record was held by another giant baby born in the city in 2011 who was 1.8 ft or 56 cm tall and weighed 6.12 kilograms. But the Guinness World Records say that the heaviest baby ever was a boy born to Sig. Carmelina Fedele in September 1955 in Aversa, Italy. He weighed 10.2 kilograms (22 lb 8 oz).
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Babies are said to have macrosomia if they weigh more than 8 pounds 13 ounces when they are born. This happens when the baby receives more nutrients in the womb than they need. This makes them grow faster and bigger than usual. But sometimes, it’s just in their genes for some babies to be taller or bigger than others.
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Doctors aren’t always sure why some babies are bigger than others when they are born since some women give birth to babies with macrosomia, even though these women have no discernible risks. But certain factors can cause this condition:
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When your baby is still in your womb, it can be hard to know exactly how much she weighs. Due to this, macrosomia isn’t really known about until after the baby is born. But sometimes, your doctor can tell if your baby is likely to be big by looking at your medical history and:
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Macrosomia can happen anytime, and there is no specific way to stop it. However, you can take steps to lower your baby’s risk. If you have type 1, 2, or gestational diabetes, do what you can to keep your blood sugar under control. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to control your diabetes while you’re pregnant, like eating a diet high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber and low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and refined sugars.
Whether you have diabetes or not, you should also take steps to maintain a healthy weight. If you gained too much weight during a previous pregnancy or are worried about gaining too much weight this time around, talk to your doctor about safe ways to prevent weight gain. Most doctors advise pregnant women to get at least 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise five days a week, like walking or yoga, and to eat a healthy diet with lots of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein.
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It can be harder to have normal deliveries with bigger babies. If your baby is getting big, your doctor will probably want you to give birth in the hospital in case you need forceps, a vacuum, or a C-section. Even though their babies have macrosomia, many moms can still give birth vaginally. There are, however, times when your doctor might suggest a C-section ahead of time. For example-
No matter how your baby comes into the world, they will be checked for blood sugar problems or any possible birth injuries. You’ll also need to be tested for diabetes if you weren’t found to have it during pregnancy.
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Macrosomia is manageable, but it can put moms and babies at risk, especially when babies are born weighing more than 9 pounds 15 ounces. Shoulder dystocia is one such problem that is likely to happen to babies who are born vaginally. If your doctor thinks your baby has shoulder dystocia, they might try to move your baby or you to get your baby to switch positions. If that doesn’t work, your doctor may use a vacuum device or forceps or suggest an emergency C-section.
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Giant babies can sometimes cause the mother to tear or bleed more after giving birth. Moms who have had a C-section before are more likely to have a uterine rupture, a rare but serious problem in which the uterus tears open along the scar line.
After being born, a macrosomic baby is more likely to need a short stay in the NICU because they can be born with low blood sugar, jaundice, or trouble breathing. But remember that most babies born with macrosomia don’t have any problems and can go home with you as soon as you’re cleared to be discharged. However, there could be problems for both you and your baby if you have macrosomia. Although the condition can still be treated, many babies born with macrosomia are healthy. Just remember to keep a lot of XL-sized diapers ready.
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