Maternal Obesity: An Obstetric Risk

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the obstetric risks and to evaluate the effects of maternal obesity during pregnancy and postpartum period.Method: This is a retrospective study of pregnant women with a BMI of more the 30 conducted at Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, West Riffa, Bahrain, from September 2019 to August 2020. Data includes demographic characteristics, and course of pregnancy from gestational age 24 weeks, through intrapartum to the postpartum period. Adverse maternal effects and delivery complications were the primary study outcomes. The BMI was calculated at the time of the booking visit. Comparative analysis was done to calculate the odds of each outcome taking a non-obese group (BMI less than 30) as a reference.Results: The total number of pregnant women studied was 2972, out of which 1657 had BMI ≥30. In our study, women with high BMI were older (p<0.0001). High BMI was associated with high parity and higher miscarriage history. High BMI increased the risk of developing hypertension (OR 2.5;). This analysis also found that high BMI was associated with increased risk of antepartum hemorrhage (OR 2.4; 95%CI 1-5.4), postpartum complications (OR1.6; 95%CI 1.1-2.2), and a hospital stay of more than five days (OR 1.6; 95%CI 1.3-2). High BMI patients were less likely to have Intrauterine growth restriction (OR 0.6; 95%CI 0.3-0.9). High BMI patients did not have an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, induction of labor, or caesarean birth. Conclusion: Higher BMI pregnant women are associated with higher incidences of hypertension. The high BMI group also had a significant relationship with antepartum hemorrhage and postpartum length of stay.

Obesity in Pregnancy as a Risk Factor in Maternal and Child Health—A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…In the study by Sunder et al [ 19 ], obese women were older, more likely to be multiparous and had a higher rate of spontaneous abortions than non-obese women. Our results do not show a significant increase in miscarriage among women with obesity, but there was a greater association with age and multiparity.…”

Obesidad pregestacional y alteraciones del parto

“…La asociación de la obesidad pregestacional con las complicaciones del parto es apoyada por otros estudios. La evidencia indica que las medidas de prevención primaria y secundaria de la obesidad previas al embarazo pueden mejorar la resultante perinatal (17)(18)(19) . El mayor riesgo de complicaciones gestantes obesas aporta evidencia a la necesidad de revertir las tendencias actuales de nutrición.…”

Does Obesity Influence Women’s Decision Making about the Mode of Delivery?

“…Obesity, especially with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m 2 , is also an independent risk factor for surgical wound complications after CD [ 48 ]. Additionally, it increases the risk of hemorrhage, blood transfusion, unplanned hysterectomy, longer postpartum hospitalization and intensive unit care admission [ 49 , 50 ].…”