Obstetric performance in obese women, a combined clinical and monitored study during labour

ABSTRACT

The obstetric performance and pregnancy outcome in 93 obese pregnant women were compared with those of non obese [827] control subjects. There were significant increase, in incidences of hypertension; inadequate pregnancy; weight gain and Diabetes Mellitus. The Frequency of labour abnormality, oxytocin augmentation and primary caesarian section were similar to that of the comparison group. Examination of the infant outcome revealed similar Apgar scores and perinatal mortality in the two groups but fewer low birth weight infants [< 2500 gms] and more macrosomic babies [> 4000 gms] occurred in the obese populations. This increase in birth weight percentile was accounted for not only an increase in the birth weight percentile but also by a significant lengthening of the period of gestation