Labor in the Obese Patient

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A 2-year study of 747 patients weighing 200 pounds or more during labor is reported. Obese patients are usually multipara in the mid-childbearing years who frequently have spontaneous, uncomplicated, unsterile deliveries without anesthesia. Obese patients tend to have large babies, often necessitating cesarean section. Obese patients have an increased incidence of toxemia of pregnancy, especially chronic hypertensive disease of pregnancy. There is no significant increase of maternal or fetal morbidity or mortality; the incidence of prematurity is quite low. Diabetes mellitus was found infrequently in these patients. It is probably not in the patient''s best interests to be obese at the time of labor.