Posted: June 26th, 2023

How Maternal Obesity Affects Birth Outcomes

How Maternal Obesity Affects Birth Outcomes
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Maternal obesity is a common condition that affects many women of reproductive age. It is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher before pregnancy. Maternal obesity can have negative consequences for both the mother and the baby during pregnancy and beyond. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the main effects of maternal obesity on birth outcomes, based on recent scientific evidence.

Maternal Obesity and Gestational Diabetes
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One of the most common complications of maternal obesity is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery. GDM affects about 10% of pregnant women worldwide, but the prevalence is higher among obese women [1]. GDM can cause high blood sugar levels in both the mother and the baby, which can lead to various problems such as:

– Increased risk of preeclampsia, a serious condition that causes high blood pressure and organ damage in the mother
– Increased risk of cesarean delivery, which can cause more bleeding, infection, and recovery time for the mother
– Increased risk of macrosomia, which means having a baby that is larger than average at birth (more than 4 kg or 8.8 lbs)
– Increased risk of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, which means needing special care for the baby after birth due to breathing difficulties, low blood sugar, jaundice, or other complications
– Increased risk of childhood obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome for the baby later in life

To prevent or manage GDM, obese women should follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, monitor their blood sugar levels, and take medication if needed. They should also have regular prenatal check-ups and screenings for GDM between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy [2].

Maternal Obesity and Birth Weight
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Another important effect of maternal obesity on birth outcomes is birth weight. Birth weight is a key indicator of fetal growth and development, as well as neonatal health and survival. The optimal birth weight range is between 2.5 kg and 4 kg (5.5 lbs and 8.8 lbs). Babies who are born too small (low birth weight) or too large (high birth weight) may have more health problems than babies who are born within the normal range.

Maternal obesity can influence birth weight in different ways. On one hand, maternal obesity can cause fetal overgrowth, resulting in macrosomia or large for gestational age (LGA) babies. This can happen due to increased insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in the mother, which stimulate fetal growth [3]. On the other hand, maternal obesity can also cause fetal undergrowth, resulting in small for gestational age (SGA) or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) babies. This can happen due to placental dysfunction, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, or nutrient deficiency in the mother [4].

A recent study from Saudi Arabia compared the effects of maternal obesity and GDM on birth weight among 531 women with singleton pregnancies [5]. The study found that maternal obesity had a stronger influence on birth weight than GDM, and that the combination of both conditions resulted in the highest birth weight and macrosomia rates. The study also found that maternal obesity was associated with higher cesarean delivery rates, while GDM was associated with higher NICU admission rates. The study concluded that maternal obesity and GDM have different but synergistic effects on birth outcomes.

Maternal Obesity and Other Adverse Outcomes
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Besides affecting birth weight and gestational diabetes, maternal obesity can also increase the risk of other adverse outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Some of these outcomes include:

– Congenital anomalies, such as neural tube defects, heart defects, or cleft lip/palate
– Preterm birth, which means delivering before 37 weeks of pregnancy
– Stillbirth, which means losing the baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy
– Postpartum hemorrhage, which means excessive bleeding after delivery
– Breastfeeding difficulties, such as low milk supply or poor latch
– Childhood asthma, cognitive problems, or developmental delay

To reduce these risks, obese women should seek preconception counseling before getting pregnant, lose weight if possible, take folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects, avoid smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy, and seek early and regular prenatal care [6].

Conclusion
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Maternal obesity is a serious public health issue that affects millions of women and their babies around the world. It can cause various complications during pregnancy and delivery, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, macrosomia, and NICU admission. It can also affect the long-term health and well-being of the mother and the child, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. To prevent or minimize these effects, obese women should adopt a healthy lifestyle before, during, and after pregnancy, and receive appropriate medical care and support.

Bibliography
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[1] Benhalima K, Devlieger R, Van Assche A, et al. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus: what does it mean for my baby and me? BMC Med. 2016;14:88. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-016-0636-4

[2] American Diabetes Association. 2. Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(Suppl 1):S15-S33. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-S002

[3] Catalano PM, Shankar K. Obesity and pregnancy: mechanisms of short term and long term adverse consequences for mother and child. BMJ. 2017;356:j1. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1

[4] Poston L, Caleyachetty R, Cnattingius S, et al. Preconceptional and maternal obesity: epidemiology and health consequences. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016;4(12):1025-1036. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(16)30217-0

[5] Alfadhli EM. Maternal obesity influences birth weight more than gestational diabetes. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21(1):111. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03571-5

[6] Mayo Clinic Staff. Pregnancy and obesity: Know the risks. Mayo Clinic Website. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-and-obesity/art-20044409 (accessed Dec 2, 2022).