Obese women face extended pregnancies and an increased risk of induction of labour, according to research published today.
Dr Sarah Arrowsmith of Liverpool University, UK, and her team publish their findings in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
They looked at 29,224 deliveries over four years, of which 8, 497, or 29 per cent, were induced.
Prolonged pregnancy – at least 41 weeks and three days – occurred in 30 per cent of obese women, compared to 22 per cent of normal weight women. Obese women also had more inductions, 34 per cent versus 26 per cent.
The researchers say obesity is an increasing problem among pregnant women, and can increase the risk of having a caesarean, haemorrhage after birth, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and death of the foetus.
Dr Arrowsmith said: "Maternal obesity has become one of the most commonly occurring risk factors in obstetric practice including greater risk of prolonged pregnancy.
"The fact that the majority of obese women did have a vaginal delivery, with labour complications being largely comparable to normal weight women, suggests that induction of labour in obese women with prolonged pregnancy is a safe method for managing these difficult pregnancies."
She added that her work is now focussing on the underlying causes of prolonged pregnancy.
Journal editor, Professor Philip Steer, commented: "Maternal obesity is on the rise and is associated with pregnancy complications. The risk of caesarean section is heightened when the woman is induced, however, it is promising to see that a large number of obese pregnant women delivered vaginally."
Arrowsmith, S., Wray, S. and Quenby, S. Maternal obesity and labour complications following induction of labour in prolonged pregnancy. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, in press.
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