Pregnancy and labour course in women with prepregnancy overweight and obesity

Obesity is one of the most common and ignored public health problems according to World Health Organisation (WHO). Labour complications occur more frequently in women with increased prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), for example, gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy induced hypertension, fetal macrosomia and labour complications. Objectives: The aim of this study was evaluation of pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes in women with prepregnancy overweight and obesity as well as evaluation of newborns’ wellbeing. Materials and methods: The study involved 89 pregnant women having their labour at the Chair and Clinic of Obsterics, Gynecological Diseases and Oncological Gynecology CM UMK in Bydgoszcz. They were divided into three groups depending on their prepregnancy body mass index BMI: group I – BMI # 24.9, group II – BMI 25-29.9 (overweight), group III – BMI $ 30 (obesity). Particular groups were evaluated according to the rate of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes mellitus and way of pregnancy termination, indications for caesarean section, birthweight and wellbeing of the newborn. Achieved results were compared by means of statistical methods. Results: The rate of caesarean sections was 3 times higher in pregnant women with BMI $ 30 than in group I. The most common indication for caesarean section was no progress of labour and fetal macrosomia. Pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus and fetal macrosomia occurred more often in groups II and III. PIH occurred 10 times more often in obese women than in group I. Newborns’ birthweight was bigger by 400 g in group III than in group I. Results: Excessive prepregnancy body mass is associated with the increased risk of pregnancy termination by means of caesarean section. Obesity increases the risk of pregnancy complications such as pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus (p > 0.05). Obesity in pregnant women is associated with a higher rate of fetal macrosomia.