BMI and labour: how does obesity in pregnancy affect intrapartum outcomes for pregnant patients?
Faculty Advisor
Date
2023
Keywords
pregnancy, obesity, intrapartum outcomes
Abstract (summary)
A significant number of Canadians are considered obese or overweight; however, there is minimal accessible research which describes the impact that obesity has on labour and delivery. Our group members conducted a thorough literature review to investigate how obesity in pregnancy affects intrapartum outcomes for pregnant patients. Using CINAHL and EBSCO, a boolean search was conducted, using keywords including pregnancy, obesity, C-section, labour, postpartum hemorrhage, respiratory, and similar terms. We limited the search results to those with a publishing date from 2010-2022 and from peer-reviewed journals. Twelve research articles were utilized. Research analysis found that obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, cesarean sections, intrapartum hypertension, and hypoventilation syndrome. It is concluded that maternal obesity is correlated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes during the intrapartum period. Because of this high risk for complications, pregnant patients who are obese should be considered high-risk pregnancies. Further research should be conducted to research the effect of gestational weight gain on intrapartum outcomes for pregnant patients.
Publication Information
DOI
Notes
Presented on April 20, 2023 at Student Research Day held at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta.
Item Type
Student Presentation
Language
Rights
All Rights Reserved