Background: Maternal obesity has long been correlated with an increased risk of chronic hypertension and diabetes prior to pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal macrosomia, Cesarean deliveries, postpartum endometritis and a prolonged hospital stay
Objective: To determine the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy obesity on pregnancy outcomes Methods: One hundred and twenty two women were recruited in the study. The patients were allocated into two groups, group 1 obese patients (68) BMI 30 or more and group 2 non obese patients (54) BMI between 19.8-24.9.
Outcomes: About two - third of the study group were having mild obesity, moderate obesity comprised about 28% and about 4% only was morbidly obese. Hypertensive disorders were nine folds more among obese women (R.R 4.74). Obese pregnant women were significantly more prone to have gestational diabetes (R.R 6.35). Even anemia was significantly more amongst Obese women when compared to non obese ones (29/68, R.R 3.84). Ante partum hemorrhage had significantly more in obese women (R.R 3.14). There was no increased risk for PROM (R.R 0.71). Moreover The macrosomic babies were extremely commoner among obese (R.R 9.1).
Conclusion: Pre-pregnancy obesity is a risk factor for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, labor induction, cesarean section for fetal distress, and wound infection. They should be considered as high risk and counseled accordingly.
Keywords: BMI; gestational diabetes postpartum hemorrhage; obesity.