European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Background: To evaluate the risks to mother and the baby when pregnancy is associated with obesity.
Materials and Methods: A Prospective Comparative study conducted at Government medical college attached to Government General Hospital, Kadapa, affiliated to Dr. NTRUHS from October 2019 to September 2020 for a period of 1 year.
Results: In the study group 100 obese women with BMI≥30 kg/m2 and in the control group normal BMI between 18.5-24.9 Kg/m² were included in the study.  28% belonged to age group of 25-30 years in the study group as compared to 17% in the control group. Obese women were older than non-obese women.  45% of the obese women and 53% women in the control group belonged to low socio economic class V.  31% obese women and 35% non-obese women were primigravida. 69% women in the study group were multigravida. As the parity increases, Obesity tends to increase.  The percentage of women in the study group belonged to class I, class II and class III obesity was 81%, 18%,1% respectively. The Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the study group is 14% and 2% in control group, with a statistically significant p value of 0.008. The incidence of Gestational Hypertension in the study group was 39% and in the control group was 11%. The incidence of preeclampsia in obese women was 17% and in control group was 2%. The incidence of Antepartum Haemorrhage; abruptio placenta in the study group and control group was 0%,1% respectively; whereas incidence of placenta previa was 1% and 0% in study group and control group respectively, which is not statistically significant.  PPROM seen in 2% of women in study group and 5% of women in the control group which has no statistical significance.  The main indication for primary caesarean section in the study group was Cephalopelvic Disproportion (20%). Majority of newborns in study group (58%) belonged to birth weight of 3-3.9kgs. Macrosomia was seen in 4% in study group as compared to 0% in control group. The rates of NICU admissions were 8% in the study group and 2% in the control group.
Conclusion: We conclude that, Pre conceptional counseling is the best time to create awareness regarding the complications of obesity in pregnancy and therefore dietary interventional measures to be started at this period.  Awareness among reproductive age group women about the importance of normal weight before pregnancy to be done.