Weight does matter! A study of effect of obesity on pregnancy and its outcome

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.