• Guidelines - obesity in pregnancy
    Link:www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/CMACERCOGJointGuidelineManagementWomenObesityPregnancya.pdf
    • High BMI is increasingly common
      • Patients with a BMI > 40 should be seen by obstetric anaesthetist
    • Maternal risks
      • TED, TIIDM, gestational diabetes, PIH, delivery problems, infection, higher c-section risk, PPH
    • Fetal risks
      • Miscarriage, fetal abnormalities
    • Many units lack specific equipment
      • Beds
      • Chairs
      • Monitoring equipment
    • Identify manual handling risks
      • Theatre staff should be aware if >120kg
    • Recommendations
      • If BMI >40, an obstetrician and anaesthetist of ST6 or above should be informed and available for care and should have venous access established early.
      • Women with BMI >30 need individualised plan for VBAC
      • All BMI >40 require postpartum thromboprophylaxis
      • The risk of TED should be monitored throughout the peripartum period
      • Women should be given pre- and post- conception advice about BMI.
      • Should have written manual handling plan