Specialist clinics key to tackling obesity complications in pregnancy
In the UK, approximately 20% of pregnant women are obese and 2% have very severe obesity (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2.
According to a recent study, attendance at a specialised antenatal clinic for obesity was associated with reduced rates of stillbirth and low birthweight. It was also associated with improved detection of gestational diabetes.
The improvement in clinical outcomes was associated with an increase in the mother-to-be being attended to by healthcare staff. This allowed for complications to be identified earlier and therefore to obstetric triage and clinical interventions. This included induction of labour as well as caesarean sections.
Specialist antenatal clinics for severely obese mothers-to-be could help to cut the rates of pregnancy complications linked to obesity.
This is long overdue, our medical staff, especially midwives, need specialist training in how to cope with the multitude of complications that occur with our patients with obesity. (An increasingly frequent event.)