Introduction: Maternal obesity is a common health problem in reproductive age women. It is accompanied with increased maternal and neonatal complications.
Aim of the study: To compare pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with different BMI.
Subjects and methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the obstetrics and gynecology department of Fayoum University from March 2023 to November 2023. The study included pregnant women who came for regular antenatal care according predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible women were divided into 4 groups based on their BMI. Follow up was scheduled and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. These included pregnancy complications, inrtapartum events (onset of labor, time of delivery, and mode of delivery), postpartum events (postpartum hemorrhage), and fetal outcomes (fetal weight, need for neonatal intensive care unit admission).
Results: There was no significant value between different groups regarding demographic date between different groups. The mean wight gain was significantly increased as the BMI increased (P value 0.003). Also, the fasting blood sugar increased as the BMI increased (p value 0.002). The onset of labor differed between groups. There was a significant in the rate of induced labor as the BMI increased (p value 0.001). Additionally, the cesarean delivery rate increased as the BMI increased (p value 0.001). The ability to breastfeed babies decreased significantly in women with higher BMI (p value 0.021).
Conclusion: Maternal obesity was a risk factor for induction of labor, caesarean section rates, gestational diabetes, fetal macrosomia, admission to neonatal ICU.