Maternal Morbid Obesity: Impact on Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate how morbid obesity among women effects on pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, method of delivery, and postpartum period complications

Study Design: Retrospective study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital, Najaf, Iraq, from 1st February 2024 to 31st December 2024.

Methodology: One hundred females of morbid obesity (BMI ≥40) had singleton deliveries were enrolled. The singleton pregnancy and available values of BMI and complete medical records formed the inclusion factors, and multiple gestations and existing non-related illness formed the exclusion factors. Data about maternal demographics, complications of pregnancy, type of delivery, and outcome of neonates were collected.

Results: Most of the participants belonged to age group 30-34 years. Obese women had the highest frequencies (35% and 40%) of undergoing cesarean sections and emergency cesarean sections, respectively. Pregnancy complications were gestational diabetes 44%, pre-eclampsia 40%, and gestational hypertension 28%. Congenital malformations had an occurrence of 5% with the diagnosis of congenital ventricular septal defects and congenital neural tube Pre-pregnancy BMI had a moderate negative relationship with birth weight (r = -0.45, p<0.01). Emergency cesarean sections had a significant correlation with increased complications (p = 0.03), and the greater the BMI, the lower the birth weight for an emergency.

Conclusion: Pre-conceptional control of maternal morbid obesity necessitates individualized prenatal care and the achievement of optimal pregnancy outcomes. Maternal morbid obesity is linked with increased pregnancy morbidity, increased rate of cesarean sections, and adverse fetal outcomes.