Obstetric Outcome in Obese Saudi Pregnant Women: A Cohort Prospective Study at a Teaching Hospital

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare obstetrical outcome in obese women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥29.9 kg/m(2) and women with a normal BMI of 20–24.9 kg/m(2). METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 300 Saudi females aged between 20 and 35 years in their first trimester of pregnancy and 300 nonobese pregnant controls attending the King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Patients with a preexisting disease were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of obstetrical complications were seen among women with higher BMI compared with those with a normal BMI. The specific complications seen in obese women were gestational hypertension/preeclampsia, antepartum hemorrhage, gestational diabetes, postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, birth asphyxia, neonatal intensive care admission, premature birth, wound complications and thromboembolism. CONCLUSION: Obesity in pregnancy is associated with higher fetomaternal morbidities and a comprehensive plan should be implemented to provide a better outcome for both women and their infants.