Obesity in Pregnancy

The prevalence of maternal obesity has increased significantly in the United States and throughout the world over the last several decades.  In the United States, where obesity has reached epidemic proportions, it is estimated that more than two-thirds of reproductive aged women are overweight or obese. Obesity poses a challenge for the obstetrician, given its association with significant increases in maternal morbidity before, during, and after pregnancy. Obesity is associated with an increased risk for diabetes, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and venous thromboembolic disease, among other complications. Poor pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage and stillbirth, are more common in the setting of maternal obesity.  Maternal obesity also appears to impact both fetal brain and metabolic development, in ways that may have critical implications for long-term health outcomes of future generations. This review contains 5 figures, 1 table, and 127 references. Keywords: Pregnancy, obesity, congenital anomaly, cesarean delivery, wound complications, stillbirth, hypertensive disorders, bariatric surgery, diabetes, neurodevelopment