Weight does Matter! A Study of Effect of Obesity on Pregnancy and its Outcome

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To analyze the significant risk associated with obesity and its consequences on obstetrics management and perinatal outcome. Materials and methods A prospective study was carried out in the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, MGM Medical College and My Hospital, Indore. The study enrolled 200 pregnant women with body mass index (BMI) >25 and equal number of women with normal BMI (18-24.9) as control. Results A total of 76 (38%) out of 200 pregnant women were overweight, 70 (35%) were obese type 1 (BMI: 30-34.9), 44 (22%) had BMI (35-39.9) and 10 (5%) had BMI >40. In comparison to normal BMI pregnant women, women with BMI >25 had significant risk of gestation hypertension (p = 0.004), pre-eclampsia (p = 0.04) gestational diabetes mellitus and shoulder dystocia (p = 0.021), cesarean section (0.0001), induced labor (0.0001) and decreased incidence of VBAC (p = 0.037) with postoperative wound infection. Neonates of these women were mostly macrosomic (p = 0.021) and had high incidence of shoulder dystocia. Conclusion High maternal BMI at booking is associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications. Achieving a normal BMI prior to conception with the institution of healthy eating and exercise regimens may represent an ideal option. How to cite this article Dave A, Maru L, Daksha S, Natu N. Weight does Matter! A Study of Effect of Obesity on Pregnancy and its Outcome. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(3): 107-110.