Obese and morbidly obese women face higher risks of pregnancy complications like gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and needing a c-section compared to women of normal weight, according to a study of over 16,000 pregnancies. However, morbidly obese women who had gastric bypass surgery before pregnancy and lost weight reported fewer risks, with studies finding less gestational diabetes, large baby size, and c-sections than seen in obese women. One study of over 2000 gastric bypass patients found 41 became pregnant afterward, with interviews finding less pregnancy risks than typically associated with obesity.

1. Obese and morbidly obese women are more likely to have pregnancy
complications and caesarean sections than women of average weight,
according to a study published in the April 2004 American Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynecology. The controlled study is one of the largest
ever to look at obesity in pregnancy, following more than 16,000 pregnant
women at 14 medical centers across the country.
Compared with women of normal weight, obese and morbidly obese
pregnant women were at greater risk for gestational hypertension,
preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal birth weight greater than 4,000
grams, and fetal birth weight greater than 4,500 grams, the study finds.
Morbidly obese women who undergo gastric bypass weight loss
surgery and lose weight report a higher rate of normal births and
healthy deliveries if they lose weight prior to becoming pregnant.
In a study by Dr. Alan C. Wittgrove, past president of the
American Society of Bariatric Surgery and pioneer of the laparoscopic
technique, post-gastric bypass pregnancy indicates fewer risks than
commonly reported by women who are obese during pregnancy. His study was
conducted with nurse-practitioner Leslie Jester who had a low-risk
pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby after gastric bypass surgery.
The Wittgrove Center has an active patient list of over 2000
people. The patients are informed to contact the Center when they become
pregnant. In the study 41 women in the patient population became
pregnant. Using personal interview, questionnaire, and review of
perinatal records, pregnancy-related risks and complications were
studied.
The study found less risk of gestational diabetes, macrosomia,
and cesarean section than associated with obesity. There were no patients
with clinically significant anemia.
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