IMPACT OF GESTATIONAL WEIGHT GAIN ON MODE OF DELIVERY AT TERM PREGNANCIES IN PRIMIGRAVIDA

BACKGROUND: The incidence of maternal weight gain during gestation just keeps growing. Believed to be helpful, despite ample research advising against it owing to the instances of gestational diabetes and other complications, this issues needs to be explored further in terms of increased risk of cesarean delivery among overweight or obese compared with normal weight women. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of gestational weight gain and increased body mass index (BMI) on cesarean risk during labor. METHODOLOGY: This prospective cohort was conducted upon a sample of 100 women with singletons ≥37 weeks and no prior cesarean deliveries, and known BMI (pre-conception) and at labor, scheduled to undergo delivery at Indus Medical College, Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018. The data obtained was recorded onto a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS v.21 & Microsoft Excel 2016. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers stood at 32 (SD ± 3.7). Among the total sample, 54.0% had cesareans. Cesareans increased with increasing BMI for nulliparas and multiparas. The risk for cesarean increased as BMI increased for all subgroups, P .001. The risk for cesarean increased for nulliparas and multiparas, respectively, for each 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI. There was no significant difference however in risk between women who became overweight or obese as a result of gestational weight gain and those who were overweight and/or obese prior to pregnancy. CONCLUSION: After careful consideration, it can be concluded that Admission BMI is significantly associated with delivery route in term laboring women. RECOMEMNDATION: Maintaining a healthy B.M.I and avoiding gestational weight gain is highly recommended. Keywords: Cesarean, Mode of Delivery, Gestational Weight Gain, Obesity & Maternal Health