4.8-kg ‘Big Baby’ born through normal delivery at Anakapalli government hospital

In a rare and remarkable case, doctors at the Anakapalli District Government Hospital successfully conducted a normal delivery of a baby weighing 4.8 kilograms, despite the absence of super-specialty facilities. The delivery, which required nearly four hours of continuous effort, ended with both the mother and the newborn in good health.

The baby boy was born to a 25-year-old woman from the Pendurthi area. This was her second delivery, while her first childbirth had also taken place naturally at the same hospital. During an ultrasound scan conducted in the eighth month, the baby’s weight was estimated at around 3 kg. However, by full term, the baby had gained significant weight, increasing the complexity of the delivery.

Although the baby’s head was delivered without difficulty, the shoulders became stuck - a condition known as shoulder dystocia, which is more common in high-birth-weight babies. At that stage, doctors briefly considered performing a caesarean section. Instead, they carefully applied the Woods corkscrew manoeuvre, a specialised obstetric technique, to safely deliver the baby through normal labour.

According to health officials, such procedures are usually seen in teaching or corporate hospitals, making this achievement at a secondary-level government hospital especially noteworthy.

Doctors explained that babies with higher birth weight - medically termed macrosomia - pose increased risks during delivery, including breathing difficulties for the newborn and excessive bleeding or perineal tears for the mother. Normally, caesarean delivery is advised when a baby weighs more than 4 to 4.5 kg. However, due to careful monitoring, timely decision-making and skilled teamwork, the medical staff managed the situation successfully without surgery.

The delivery was handled by doctors Soujanya and Manasa (a third-year postgraduate student), along with staff nurses Jagadeeswari and J. Kumari, and ANM Saraswathi.

State Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav congratulated the doctors and staff for their dedication and professionalism. He said the case highlights the capability of government hospitals to handle complex medical situations and inspires confidence among the public.

The minister noted that the Anakapalli District Hospital conducts around 400 deliveries every month, with nearly 65-70 per cent being normal deliveries. He urged doctors to continue prioritising natural childbirth wherever medically possible.

“Government hospitals are crucial for providing free and quality healthcare to poor and middle-class families. The commitment shown by the Anakapalli doctors strengthens public trust in the healthcare system,” the minister said, while appreciating the involvement of postgraduate medical students in delivering quality care.

The case stands as a strong example of how skill, teamwork and dedication can lead to successful outcomes even in high-risk situations, reaffirming the role of public hospitals in maternal and child healthcare.