ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the most available data on the role of bariatric surgery in the obese pregnant woman and discusses the management and outcomes of postbariatric surgery parturients. It addresses the safety of bariatric procedures in pregnancy as compared to the general population and whether it is safer than pregnancy in the obese. Obesity appears to be associated with reduced fecundity rates and increased time to pregnancy. Progestational maternal obesity is known to be a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes during pregnancy. During early pregnancy, there is an increased risk for spontaneous abortion. During intrapartum, it appears that in overweight and obese women, first- stage labor progression is significantly slower than that of normal-weight women. Adverse perinatal outcomes may be associated with overweight and obesity. When compared to nonobese controls, studies have demonstrated inconsistent results. It is agreed by most experts that bariatric surgery is not the primary treatment for infertility in severely obese women.
