5.8kg of happiness: the truth about 'giant' newborns

Avideo of a mother talking about the birth of a "giant baby" has racked up millions of views, and headlines like "Woman gives birth to record-breaking baby" have flooded news feeds.

But as medics explain, such cases are rare, though not unique, The Conversation reports.

According to Professor Hannah Dahlen of the University of Western Sydney, babies born weighing more than 4-4.5kg are called "large for their due date", or macrosomas. In Australia and a number of other countries, about 9-10 per cent of newborns fall into this category - a number that has remained virtually unchanged for decades.

However, a large baby weight does not always mean complications, although the risks are indeed higher. Women are more likely to have difficulties during labour: vacuum extraction, forceps or caesarean section may be required. These interventions take longer to recover from and birth trauma is more common.

Babies may suffer from "stuck shoulder syndrome", a situation in which the shoulder becomes trapped in the birth canal. Doctors use special techniques to safely remove the baby, but in some cases resuscitation is required. Fortunately, such complications are extremely rare.

Why are born "rich men"

The reasons for the large weight of a newborn are varied. Firstly, genetics: in some families, children are traditionally born large. Secondly, if the pregnancy exceeds the term, the foetus simply has more time to grow.

Doctors pay special attention to expectant mothers with diabetes - both pre-existing and gestational (occurring during pregnancy). Elevated blood sugar levels in the mother's blood leads to the accumulation of excess fat in the child. These children are more likely to be obese and have an increased risk of diabetes as adults.

Women who are overweight before or during pregnancy are also more likely to give birth to large babies, which is usually due to metabolic disorders and a diet high in sugar and fat.

Is it possible to predict the birth of a "big baby" in advance?

It is difficult to determine the weight of the foetus with high accuracy. Even modern ultrasound scans are often wrong. According to the Big Baby Trial, a large-scale British study conducted in 2025, about 60 per cent of women who were predicted to have a large baby ended up giving birth to normal-sized babies.

Doctors usually focus on measurements of the abdomen and uterine height, and if there are abnormalities, they will order an additional ultrasound. Nevertheless, no method gives complete certainty.

What experts advise

The main thing is to prepare for pregnancy in advance: maintain weight within the normal range (BMI below 30), eat a balanced diet and move more. If the future mother is diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to carefully control sugar levels and monitor the growth of the foetus.

As Hannah Dahlen emphasises, most large babies are born healthy and 'giant' babies are the exception rather than the rule. Therefore, despite the sensationalist headlines, there is no need to be afraid - regular check-ups and a careful attitude to your own health are much more important.