Caesarean Section and Maternal Obesity

In developed countries in women of reproductive age an increase in obesity levels has been widely reported with an associated increase in maternal obesity (Yu et al, 2006, Heslehurst et al, 2008, Huda et al, 2010). Obesity in pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of medical complications including gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia and venous thromboembolism (Huda et al, 2010). As a result, in part, obesity is associated with a higher incidence of obstetric interventions such as caesarean section, as well as an increase in pregnancy complications including haemorrhage, infection and congenital malformations (Yu et al, 2006, Heslehurst, 2008). The World Health Organization criteria define a Body Mass Index (BMI) <18.5kg/m2 as underweight, 18.5-24.9 as normal weight, 25.0-29.9 as overweight and > 29.9 as obese. Obesity can be further subcategorised into class one obese which is 30.0-34.9, class two 35.0-39.9 and class three >40.0.