[Fetal macrosomia and mode of delivery]

During the period 1988-1993 the route of delivery in 482 infants with birth weight > or = 4000 grams was studied. Normal vaginal delivery occurred in 396 (82.1%) cases, vacuum extractor in 8 (1.6%) cases and caesarean section in 78 (16.1) cases. Elective induction of labor with oxytocin and/or amniotomy was carried out in 25 cases of macrosomia. Perinatal death and shoulder dystocia never occurred in these macrosomic babies, but clavicles abruption (27 cases), cephalohaematoma (2 cases), shoulder-bladehaematoma (1 case) and birth brachial palsy (1 case) were observed. Because, in our experience, elective induction of labor increased the operative delivery rate (caesarean section, vacuum extractor), we conclude that mothers with macrosomic fetuses can safely be managed expectantly unless there is a indication for induction or caesarean section.