Labor and Postpartum Period in Obese Pregnant

Obesity in developed and developing society has become a major public health issue, with serious social and psychological consequences in addition to the physical. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally with a similar rise in prevalence among women in the reproductive age group. This has critical consequences for fetal and maternal health in the intrapartum and postpartum periods. Fetal distress, hemorrhage, difficult peridural access and operatory time are also increased in obese women. Furthermore, evidence of increased risk for cesarean section, endometritis, prolonged hospital stay, thromboemboli and urinary tract infection have been described. Babys in the birth of obese pregnant increased risk such as in the low APGAR score of babies, makrosomia, birth trauma, anomalies, hipoglisemi, premature and fatal mortality. Obesity may affect negatively both start breastfeeding and continue. The aims of this study were to summarise the implications of maternal obesity on maternal, fetal and neonatal health. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(2): 151-156]