Obesity in pregnancy

Question 1

How much does a healthy nulliparous patient gain during pregnancy?

Answer 1

10-16 kg

But typically 12,5 kg

Question 2

What are the possible causes of excessive weight gain during pregnancy?

Answer 2

1. Multiple pregnancy
2. Polyhydroamnios
3. Oedema
4. Leimyomas
5. Large fetus
6. Excessive calories

Question 3

What percentage of babies born to pregnant women present with a weight >4kg

Answer 3

10%

Question 4

What is the BMI of a obese patient?

Answer 4

1. 20 years and above: BMI of 27
2. 18-19 years: BMI of 26
3. 17 and younger: BMI of 25

Question 5

What are the risks associated with women presenting obesity in pregnancy?

Answer 5

1. Pre-eclampsia
2. DM
3. Chronic hypertension
4. Multiple pregnancies
5. Perinatal morbidity and mortality

Question 6

How many more kilojoules should pregnant women consume per day?

Answer 6

350 kilojoules

Question 7

What are the foetal adverse effects associated with pregnancy?

Answer 7

1. Multiple pregnancies
2. Congenital anomalies:
   Cardiac anomalies. Neural tube defects
3. Increased chance for perinatal deaths
4. Bigger babies>4 kilograms with shoulder dystocia

Question 8

What are the maternal (antenatal) adverse effects of

Answer 8

1. Hypertension
2. DM
3. Ante-Parton haemorrhage
4. UTI
5. Pre-term labour
6. Pre-eclampsia

Question 9

What are the post partum adverse effects that occur in these patients?

Answer 9

1. Post-partum haemorrhage
2. DVT
3. Hypertension

Question 10

What are the adverse effects that occur during labour in obese patients?

Answer 10

1. They present with prolonged labour (cephalo-pelvic disproportion)
2. More c/sections

Question 11

What should we consider in a patient that is losing weight during pregnancy?

Answer 11

1. HIV/Aids
2. TB
3. Hypothyroidism