Complications of pregnancy and delivery in obese women – literature review

Information for nursing staff, 2025, 57(1), 58-63.

L. Georgieva, Zl. Nikolova, B. Kuzmanov, D. Ruschukova

Department of Obstetric Care, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv

Abstract. Obesity is a condition associated with excess body fat. Overweight and obesity are associated with a number of complications of pregnancy, childbirth and a woman’s fertility. Obese women are three times more likely to suffer from infertility, with reduced synthesis of estrogens and progesterone, reduced sensitivity of the endometrium during embryo implantation. Obese women are more likely to create poor quality embryos, so assisted reproduction should be delayed until BMI improves. Pregnancy complications in these women often include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus with subsequent intrauterine fetal growth restriction, or diabetic fetopathy. Obesity in women of reproductive age is a significant public health problem and requires effective weight control measures and careful pregnancy monitoring.

Key words: obesity, pregnancy, childbirth, cesarean section, complications

Address for correspondence: Zlatina Nikolova, тел.: +359887230020; e-mail: