More studies are needed on delivery types for super obese women

Women who are classified as obese face challenges when they are pregnant. They have to contend with more health issues during the pregnancy than women who aren’t classified as obese. Women who are in the super obese and morbidly obese categories face a more increased risk of these issues than women in the obese category.

Some of the risks these women face include postpartum infection, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure. They also face potential complications during the labor and delivery that could have an impact on whether they need to have a C-section or a vaginal delivery. Issues with the baby, such as birth injuries, are also possible.

A study that was done on a sampling of obese women in California from 2007 to 2011 showed fairly inconclusive results about which method of delivery is safer for women who had a pre-pregnancy body mass index of 50 or greater. The women also had to deliver at 36 weeks or later.

In the sampling, 85 percent of the women had a vaginal delivery. Of the C-section deliveries, the women with primary c-sections were all women who didn’t have any prior pregnancies that lasted 20 weeks or longer.

The difference is maternal morbidity and neonatal morbidity was negligible when the researchers compared the rate for each group taking the delivery method into account. This led researchers to note that more studies are needed to look into whether c-section deliveries or vaginal deliveries are safer for super obese women.

All women deserve proper care when they are pregnant. For women with additional health concerns, such as those who are super obese, should be monitored very carefully. If you don’t receive proper care and you or your baby suffer, you might choose to seek compensation.

Source: Anesthesiology News, “Labor or Cesarean for Superobese Women?,” Kate O’Rourke, Feb. 06, 2017