European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY DURING PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND POSTPARTUM AMONG A SAMPLE OF OBESE IRAQI WOMEN

*Dr. Faeza Kamal Salih, Dr. Mehasin Kamal Saleh Zuwayd and Dr. Muntaaha Hashim Hammadi Alalwani

ABSTRACT

Overweight and obesity among Iraqi adults is continually growing affecting one in three adults from which 63.1% are women. Obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal and fetal complications. The conditions of delivery are also more difficult. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of obesity occurring in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum among obese women in Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Gynecology -Al-Falluja Teaching Hospital for Gynecology and Pediatrics – Falluja-Anbar /Iraq in 2017 on 150 women, who had just given birth, and have a Body Mass Index more than 30. The sociodemographic conditions and data about complications occurring during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum were collected through a structured interview and from participants’ birth records. Results showed that several complications were noticed, gestational diabetes occurred first (22.7%), followed by preeclampsia (14%). More than (38%) of women gave birth by cesarean section. Almost (33.3%) of participants had postpartum complications, the most common being infection (13.3%) and hemorrhage (12%). It can be concluded that the high incidence of complications in obese women during pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum emphasizes the need of a women nutritional management in preconception and during pregnancy to minimize complications. Also, prenatal consultations are very important for the surveillance and early detection of a complication which can occur.

Keywords: Obesity, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum, Iraqi.