CONCLUSION
The study identified a higher prevalence of obesity among pregnant women aged 30-34, potentially linked to age-related metabolic changes and lifestyle factors. Additionally, it also revealed varying obesity rates across ethnic groups, with Benin women exhibiting a higher prevalence. The disparities were attributed to cultural dietary habits and genetic factors.
The study reported a low incidence of abnormal fetal anomaly scans (2.8%), potentially attributed to improved antenatal care. However, a substantial proportion of preterm deliveries (24.2%) indicated potential negative impacts of maternal obesity on fetal and maternal health, highlighting the necessity for enhanced monitoring of high-risk pregnancies and improved access to prenatal care.
The study demonstrated a significant association between maternal obesity and the mode of delivery, with a higher percentage of obese mothers undergoing Cesarean Section (CS) compared to normal-weight mothers. Additionally, obese mothers experienced higher percentages of excessive blood loss and complications during labor. These findings underscored the importance of monitoring and managing complications during labor to reduce the need for Cesarean Sections and excessive blood loss. The study reported a higher proportion of normal-weight mothers undergoing episiotomy, highlighting the need for individualized assessments and consideration of alternative approaches in intrapartum care. Furthermore, a higher percentage of obese mothers had unstable vital signs and experienced labour complications, emphasizing the importance of enhanced monitoring in this population.
