COMPLICATIONS OF RAISED BMI IN PREGNANCY

Objective: To study the effects of raised BMI on maternal and fetal well being. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial prospective study. Setting: Gynae/Obs department Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Duration: January 2006 to June 2007. Subjects & Methods: 200 primiparas with raised BMI (25 or more) were booked in first trimester. Patients were followed up with regular antenatal check-up and routine investigations of pregnancy. Patients found to be anaemic were further investigated and anaemia corrected. Another group of 200 primiparas was also booked with normal BMI (18.5 TO 24.9) in first trimester. Complications encountered during pregnancy were recorded in both groups. Mode of delivery and fetal outcome were also recorded. The relative frequency of pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, sleep apnoea, urinary infection, preterm labour and intrauterine deaths were compared in both groups. Obstetric complications were also recorded. Results: The frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria, sleep apnoea, pregnancy induced hypertension, induction of labour, instrumental delivery, caesarean section and post partum hemorrhage was found to be significantly increased in group-I (raised BMI). Conclusion: Pregnancies in obese women are considerably at higher risk for pregnancy and labour complications. It is advisable to achievenormal BMI before conception.