Impact of Obesity on Obstetrical Practice and Outcome

Abstract

Objective: To find out the complications occurring during pregnancy, delivery and in post
partum period in obese and non-obese pregnant women.
Material & Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Gynaecology
and Obstetrics, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. Sixty pregnant females with singleton
pregnancy were selected. Women with BMI>30 were taken as obese and those less that 30 were
taken as non-obese. Complications like gestational diabetes, hypertension, induction of labour,
delay in second stage of labour, instrumental vaginal deliveries or operative deliveries, third or
fourth degree perineal tear, wound infection and thromboembolism were assessed in all patients.
Results: The mean age in group Awas 25.0 + 2.9 years and in group B was 25.0+2.7 years. The
complications during pregnancy were as follows: gestational diabetes and gestational
hypertension were found in 6 (20%) and 14 (44.7%) in group A while 3 (10%) and 1(3.3%) in
group B respectively. 16 (53.3%) patient had induction of labour in group Aand 8 (26.7%) in group
B. In group Aonly 8 (26.7%) patients had spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), 7 (23.3%) patients
delivered by instrumental vaginal deliveries and 15 (50%) patients underwent Caesarean
section. In group B, 18 (60%) were delivered by SVD, 4 (13.3%) had instrumental vaginal delivery
and 8 (26.7%) had caesarean section. Third degree perineal tears occurred in 6 patients from
group A and 5 patients from group B. Fourth degree perineal tears occurred in four patients only
from group A. During postpartum period seven patients from group Aand two patients from group
B had wound infections. One patient from group Ahad thromboembolism.
Conclusion: Obese pregnant patients have more complications during pregnancy, delivery and
postpartum period than non-obese pregnant women.