Pregnancy complications and outcomes among overweight and obese nulliparous women

Objectives. This study examined the associations, between prepregnancy weig ht and the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes among nulli parous women. Methods. We conducted a population-based cohort study with 96 801 Washingto n State birth certificates from 1992 to 1996. Women were categorized by bod y mass index. Multivariate logistic regression was performed. Results. The rate of occurrence of most of the outcomes increased with incr easing body mass index category Coin pared with lean women, both overweight and obese women had a significantly increased risk for gestational diabete s, preeclampsia, eclampsia, cesarean delivery, and delivery of a macrosomic infant. Conclusions. Among nulliparous women, not only prepregnancy obesity but als o overweight increases the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse preg nancy outcomes.