Table 1.
Obstetric Complications in Obese Pregnant Women
| Complication | OR (95% CI) or % vs Normal Weight | P | ||
| Early pregnancy | ||||
| Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) | ||||
| After spontaneous conception | 1.2 (1.1–1.5) | .04 | ||
| After IVF conception | 1.8 (1.1–3.0) | < .05 | ||
| Recurrent miscarriage | 3.5 (1.1–21.0) | .04 | ||
| Congenital anomalies | ||||
| Neural tube defects | 1.8 (1.1–3.0) | < .05 | ||
| Spina bifida | 2.6 (1.5–4.5) | < .05 | ||
| Congenital heart disease | 1.2 (1.1–1.3) | < .05 | ||
| Omphalocele | 3.3 (1.0–10.3) | < .05 | ||
| Late pregnancy | ||||
| Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy | ||||
| Gestational nonproteinuric hypertension | 2.5 (2.1–3.0) | < .0001 | ||
| Preeclampsia | 3.2 (1.8–5.8) | .007 | ||
| Gestational diabetes mellitus | 2.6 (2.1–3.4) | < .001 | ||
| Preterm birth | 1.5 (1.1–2.1) | < .05 | ||
| Intrauterine fetal demise (stillbirth) | 2.8 (1.9–4.7) | < .001 | ||
| Peripartum | ||||
| Cesarean delivery | 47.7% vs 20.7% | < .01 | ||
| Decreased VBAC success | 84.7% vs 66% | .04 | ||
| Operative morbidity | 33.8% vs 20.7% | < .05 | ||
| Anesthesia complications | ||||
| Excessive blood loss | ||||
| Postpartum endometritis | ||||
| Wound infection/breakdown | ||||
| Postpartum thrombophlebitis | ||||
| Fetal/neonatal complications | ||||
| Fetal macrosomia (EFW ≥ 4500 g) | 2.2 (1.6–3.1) | < .001 | ||
| Shoulder dystocia | 3.6 (2.1–6.3) | < .001 | ||
| Birth weight < 4000 g | 1.7 (1.4–2.0) | .0006 | ||
| Birth weight < 4500 g | 2.0 (1.4–3.0) | < .0001 | ||
| Childhood obesity | 2.3 (2.0-2.6) | < .05 | ||
95% CI, 95% confidence interval; EFW, estimated fetal weight; IVF, in vitro fertilization; OR, odds ratio; VBAC, vaginal birth after cesarean.