Minnesota Fetal Macrosomia Lawyer
The medical term for a large infant is fetal macrosomia. A child with fetal macrosomia is defined as weighing 8 pounds and 13 ounces or more. A child born with fetal macrosomia can experience a number of health issues until they reach approximately 9 pounds and 15 ounces. Babies who are born closer to ten pounds may experience serious complications if they are delivered vaginally. These complications can occur during the birthing process, or afterward.
Fetal macrosomia is unpredictable, as the condition is only diagnosed after the child has been born and weighed. Still, doctors must know how to identify the risk factors of fetal macrosomia to reduce the risk of harm to the child and mother. When they fail to do this, they can be held liable for medical malpractice. If you or your child has been injured, our Minnesota fetal mascrosomia lawyer can determine if it was due to a fetal monitoring error, and will hold the responsible parties liable.
Risk Factors for Fetal Macrosomia
The most common risk factors for fetal macrosomia include:
- Diabetes in the mother, including Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes
- A mother who suffered from fetal macrosomia as an infant
- Previous pregnancies that resulted in a baby with fetal macrosomia
- A mother who is obese or significantly overweight
- Prior pregnancies, as each pregnancy will increase the risk
- Excessive pregnancy weight gain
- A baby born more than two weeks after the due date
- A maternal age over 35
Doctors must identify these risk factors and take steps to reduce harm. For example, if an expectant woman suffers from diabetes, her doctor should prescribe medication or take other steps to treat the condition and therefore, try and reduce the risks associated with fetal macrosomia.
Complications Associated with Fetal Macrosomia
The most common complication associated with fetal macrosomia is complications during the labor process. A very large baby can make a vaginal birth extremely difficult and in some cases, impossible. Large babies can become stuck in the birth canal, causing labor to stop progressing and potentially blocking oxygen to the child’s brain. Doctors may also need to use forceps or vacuum extractors to deliver large babies, which can cause birth injuries to the child.
There are other injuries a child can suffer when they are born with fetal macrosomia. In the first hours and days following the birth, a child may suffer from low blood sugar levels. It can become much more difficult to manage the blood sugar levels of the child after they are born, and the infant may suffer from obesity throughout their childhood. A child may also suffer from metabolic syndrome, which can increase their risk of cardiac problems.
These injuries have the potential to be devastating for both the mother and child. When they could have been prevented with proper monitoring and treatment, the medical personnel responsible can be held liable in a medical malpractice claim.
Talk to Our Birth Injury Lawyer in Minnesota After Fetal Macrosomia
At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our Minnesota birth injury lawyer knows the devastating effects fetal macrosomia can have on a family. It is why we are so dedicated to helping individuals recover the fair damages they deserve afterward. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation so we can get started on your case.
