Abstract
The prevalence of obesity is increasing among pregnant women. The association between obesity and pregnancy can result in further limitation of parturient physiological reserve. Indeed, maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of delivery and postpartum complications, and poses a number of additional challenges for both general and neuroaxial anesthesia. The higher complication rate and the presence of obesity-related co-morbidities concur in placing this population at high risk for anesthesia-related maternal morbidity and mortality. Bariatric surgery scheduled before gestation to allow effective weight reduction, reduces the overall perinatal outcome to levels comparable to the general population. This review provides an insight into the magnitude and pathophysiological features of obese parturients, maternal and neonatal associated risks, along with peculiar anesthesiological management strategies.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.