Expectant mothers may become gluttonous and have a big appetite during pregnancy, coupled with various nourishing soups from the elderly at home, leading to rapid growth of both the fetus and the mother. Some pregnant women may choose to have a caesarean section during delivery due to excessive fetal weight. Does a 38 week ultrasound show that the child weighs over 7 pounds, so a cesarean section is necessary? Let's learn about it together with the editor below.
38 week ultrasound shows that the child weighs over 7 pounds
A 38 week ultrasound shows that the child weighs over 7 pounds. Normally, doctors recommend strict control of diet and weight in the following days to achieve safe vaginal delivery conditions. If it does not meet the conditions for vaginal delivery, doctors will recommend a cesarean section.
The hazards of excessive fetal weight
1. Neonatal asphyxia. Due to the large size of the fetus, difficulties in passing through the birth canal, and prolonged compression, the fetus may experience hypoxia and asphyxia, leading to intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic encephalopathy, which is life-threatening; Even among surviving newborns, there are often sequelae such as central nervous system dysfunction.
2. Neonatal birth injury. Mechanical injuries such as compression of the fetal head in the pelvis leading to skull hematoma; When shoulder delivery is difficult, clavicle fractures, humeral fractures, and brachial plexus nerve injuries may be found; When a huge baby's abdomen swells and is compressed, internal organs such as the liver, spleen, and adrenal glands may rupture and bleed.
3. Hypoglycemia. It is often seen in babies whose mothers have diabetes. Due to the high blood sugar of the mother, the fetal blood sugar also increases, and the fetal insulin also shows compensatory increase, resulting in rapid growth and development of the fetus and weight gain. After the fetus is born, the umbilical cord is ligated to cut off the source of blood sugar, and the newborn may die from hypoglycemic shock.
The above is the relevant information compiled by the editor regarding the issue of a child weighing over 7 pounds displayed on a 38 week ultrasound. We hope it can be helpful to all pregnant mothers. Expectant mothers during pregnancy should not cause rapid fetal growth due to momentary overeating and binge eating. They should eat small meals frequently, have a reasonable diet, exercise in moderation, and control their own and fetal weight and health.
