Pregnancy risks associated with obesity

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2015 Jun;42(2):335-53. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2015.01.008.

Abstract

Obesity has increased dramatically in the United States over the last several decades, with approximately 40% of pregnant women now considered overweight or obese. Obesity has been shown to be associated with numerous poor pregnancy outcomes, including increased rates of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal macrosomia, stillbirth, postterm pregnancy, and increased rates of cesarean delivery. Many of these complications have been found to increase even further with increasing body mass index in a dose-response fashion. In this review, the association of obesity with maternal, fetal, and pregnancy outcomes is discussed as are the recommendations for caring for the obese gravida.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes; Macrosomia; Obesity; Pregnancy; Prenatal care.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / etiology
  • Adult
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / etiology
  • Directive Counseling / methods*
  • Female
  • Fetal Macrosomia / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / etiology
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Pre-Eclampsia / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / etiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control
  • Prenatal Care / methods*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / etiology
  • Weight Reduction Programs