You are here › StratOG › eLearning › Core training › Management of Labour and Delivery › Labour with/in specific conditions - Obesity › Introduction to labour with/in specific conditions - obesity ›

Introduction to labour with/in specific conditions - obesity

Subscriptions:
UK prices shown, other nationalities may qualify for reduced prices. You must sign in to purchase tutorials. New user? Register here.

The effect of adiposity is manifested in nearly every aspect of female reproductive life, whether as a metabolic or reproductive complication or as a technical problem affecting clinical issues, such as ultrasound scanning or surgery. These problems are of particular concern given that evidence shows the prevalence of obesity has doubled (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2) and more than one in five young women attending for antenatal care in UK maternity hospitals are obese.

This tutorial reviews the issues in managing labour in obese pregnant women. It covers the co-existent pre-pregnancy risk factors that may predispose to clinical challenges. On completion of this tutorial, you should have a better understanding of the risks of labour for the mother and her baby and, therefore, are able to provide counselling to an obese woman regarding her birth plan. You should also be capable of devising a specific management plan for an obese woman in labour to minimise risks to the woman and her baby.

Learning objectives

When you have completed this tutorial you should be able to:

  • assess the risk of maternal complications
  • understand physiology that may predispose women with obesity to intrapartum complications
  • assess risks of fetal complications
  • confidently devise a care plan for women with obesity in labour in order to minimise risk

Last updated:11/01/11 (tutorial was revised and updated)

23/01/09 (TOG paper added in the 'Preliminary reading', 'Effects in pregnancy', 'Effects on labour' and 'Effect  on the woman's condition' sections)

Access to this page does not expire.