Background
This study aims to detect the effects of increased BMI on labor outcomes in primigravida pregnant women.
Methods
A cross-sectional study involved 600 full-term singleton primigravida pregnant women who presented in the active phase of labor to the labor ward. They were divided according to BMI into three equals groups; women with normal BMI (group I), overweight women (group II), and women with class I obesity (group III).
Results
We found that high BMI was associated with a significantly increased risk of Caesarean section (C.S.) (13% in group I, 18% in group II and 40% in group III). Women with higher BMI and delivered vaginally had a significantly prolonged first and second stage of labor, consequently increased the need for oxytocin augmentation as well as the oxytocin dose. Regarding the maternal and fetal outcomes, there are significantly increased risks of postpartum sepsis, perineal tears, wound infection, as well as significantly increased birth weight and longer neonatal stay in the neonatal unit (NNU).
Conclusion
Obese primigravida pregnant women were at higher risk of suboptimal outcomes. Besides, prolonged first and second stages of labor and the incidence of C.S. have also been increased.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.