Effect of obesity on the outcome of pregnancy in primigravida patients: an Iraqi experience

Background: A parallel rise in the rate of obesity in women in reproductive age; and cesarean section as outcome of pregnancy is noticed in the last years in our society. It is unknown whether this dual rise is related or not. The impact is more evident on primigravida patients, so authors perform this study to assess the impact of obesity on the outcome of pregnancy in primigravida patients in a major obstetrics hospital.Methods: A prospective controlled study was conducted in Ibn Al-Balady obstetrics hospital. It included 121 primigravida patients who were divided into 3 groups according to WHO BMI categories: normal, overweight, and obese. The mode of delivery of these patients is recorded and was assessed in relation to BMI.Results: About 17% of the patients were obese and they needed more emergency CS as a mode of delivery than normal BMI patients (p<0.01). They also had longer second stage of labor (p<0.01) and delivered babies with higher birth weight that the normal group (p<0.05).Conclusions: Obesity constitutes a growing challenge on the outcome of pregnancy, duration of second stage of labor and baby birth weight in primigravida patients. Women who are getting pregnant for the first time should be advised to lower their BMI as a safety measure to avoid emergency cesarean section.