The implications of obesity on pregnancy

Obesity is a modern day epidemic. The incidence appears to be rapidly increasing in both developed and developing countries and has become much more obvious in the last decade. It is regarded as one of the major risk factors in pregnant women and has particularly gained recognition in obstetric practice due to its potentially adverse effects on pregnancy and the fetus.There is evidence to show that obesity in pregnancy contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in both mother and baby. It is associated with adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, thromboembolism, fetal abnormalities and large for gestational infants. According to the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom, 35% of the women who died had a BMI of 30 or more. All these issues highlight the immense importance in treating women with obesity in maternity practice accordingly.