Effect of Maternal Body Mass Index at Term Pregnancy on Labour Outcome

Abstract

O besity is an epidemic not only in the United States and developed countries but also in the developing world. The world is getting fatter. Over last three decades, rates of obesity have risen. The rise in obesity among pregnant women goes hand in hand with the upward trend of obesity in the general population. In addition, the percentage of women gaining excessive weight during pregnancy has also increased. The obstetric complications of maternal obesity are generally related to issues of maternal pre-gravid obesity rather than excessive weight gain during gestation that results in a non-obese women becoming obese. The problems relating to the management of obesity in pregnancy are many. There are both short-and long-term complications and implications for both mother and fetus.