Ch. 12: High Anxiety

Here is something that would causes anxiety to any mumma-to-be: the thought of giving birth vaginally to a 6.1kg baby. That’s 13 and a half pounds. Lets put that into perspective: the average weight of a newborn is around 3.4kg (7.5 pounds). OUCH. Well this is exactly what a brave German woman achieved this week: bringing life to this chubby cherub, below…

6kg German newborn

6kg German newborn

How does a baby grow in the womb to such a size? Well, the baby’s mamma suffered gestational diabetes which when left unchecked, produces huge bambinos. How? Extra glucose in the mother’s bloodstream crosses the placenta, which triggers the baby’s pancreas to make extra insulin. This in turn causes the baby to grow too large. And very large babies are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal…

Did the mumma’s back ache throughout its gestation? My own upper back gives me pain on the daily. And I am only 21 weeks along. Seahorse was measured at 520grams yesterday (the wonders of ultrasound technology) and our obs/gyn exclaimed that ‘this is well above the average’. Anxiety is creeping in!

You see I have married a tall Dutch man, and a heavy-set, muscular, basketball playing one at that. Further, my doctor repeatedly serves me stern warnings on the dangers of gestational diabetes (mum suffered while carrying me, and I came out a whopper of a baby, and a month early.) Anxiety is rushing in!!

Seahorse, you really are making me dance for my supper, already.

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