Morbid Obesity & Pregnancy Risks

According to the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center, almost 20 percent of U.S. women 18 to 44 are obese and at increased risk for pregnancy complications.

Significance

Pregnant women who are morbidly obese are at increased risk for hypertension, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, labor and delivery complications, and are three times as likely to have stillbirths after 28 weeks' gestation.

Types

Morbidly obese women are at higher risk of cesarean section. They also risk preterm delivery, which raises the possibility of babies born with birth defects.

Considerations

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women who are morbidly obese during pregnancy are more likely to have children who battle childhood obesity.

Prevention/Solution

Morbidly obese women are encouraged to lose weight and work toward a healthy body mass index before becoming pregnant to decrease chances of complications after conception.

Warning

Health care providers need to take special care when performing cesarean sections on morbidly obese pregnant women, as there is a higher risk of excessive blood loss, wound infection and longer operating time required.

References

• March of Dimes
• Healthline