Pregnancy of obese women: Fetal and neonatal consequences

Overweight and obesity have been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. These complications may affect the developing fetus and contribute substantially to fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In this chapter the increased risk of fetal and neonatal complications and adverse outcomes that are associated with overweight and obesity are followed upon a reproductive timeline: antepartum complications; intrapartum complications and postpartum complications. Because of this increased risk, overweight and obese women need special clinical attention during the course of their pregnancy. Weight reduction before pregnancy is generally warranted to reduce the rates of gestational and delivery complications.