Abstract
Obesity, as defined by body mass index (BMI) is one of the biggest challenges facing health care system including maternity services today, particularly in the industrialized nations. Maternal obesity is linked with a number of pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, venous thromboembolism, caesarean delivery, postpartum haemorrhage, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia and poor perinatal outcomes. Obesity has also been shown to be independently associated with higher odds of dying from specific pregnancy complications. These risks increases with increasing BMI and are highest in women with BMI ≥ 50. The mechanisms underlying these pathologies remain unclear. All obese women in reproductive age group should be counselled about weight gain, exercise programmes, nutrition and food choices, longer term health risks and increased risk of maternal and fetal complications, ideally before contemplating pregnancy. They should also be supported to lose weight and optimise their health before conception. Obese pregnant women should receive routine care supplemented by specialist services and facilities that are specific to their needs, to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Keywords: Body mass index (BMI), fetal, maternal, obesity, pregnancy, weight, health care system, pregnancy complications.
Graphical Abstract
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
RARE CASES IN GYNECOLOGY-OBSTETRICS
With the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques (such as ART techniques) and the immersion of new pathologies (such as COVID19), we are witnessing an increase in the incidence of pathologies that were previously described as rare or exceptional. the practitioner sometimes confronts difficult situations in these cases in diagnostic ...read more
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