Obesity and pregnancy.
Obesity is dramatically increasing throughout the world and is known to be a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. By screening women for obesity and obesity-related complications, the obstetrician/gynecologist can help improve health outcomes for women and their infants. Many pregnancy complications have been linked to obesity ranging from increased risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension to increased risk of cesarean delivery and postoperative wound infection. This article reviews antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications associated with obesity in pregnancy and offers suggestions to optimize care and improve outcomes.


BACKGROUND
Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians


OBJECTIVE
After completion of this article, the reader should be able to define obesity in pregnancy, to list the various complications associated with obesity, and to describe the limitations of ultrasonography in obese gravidas.
Hall
Lanniece F
LF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, 6th and Spruce Avenues, West Reading, PA 19611, USA. halll@readinghospital.org
Neubert
A George
AG
D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D011295:Prenatal Care; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal