Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the affect of raised BMI on pregnancy outcome in terms of prolonged pregnancy, need for induction of labour and mode of delivery.
Methodology: Study included 100 overweight/obese and 100 non obese patients. Ones with pregnancies prolonged beyond their expected date of delivery were induced at 41+1 weeks of gestation. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 16. Quantitative variables were calculated as mean±SD while qualitative variables were presented as frequency and percentage in the form of tables and graphs. Both groups were compared by using chi-square test and taking p-value <0.05 as significant.
Results: Among overweight/obese group, 32% had prolonged pregnancy and were induced for labour whereas this percentage among non-obese group was 25%. Among overweight/obese ladies, spontaneous vaginal delivery occurred after induction of labour (IOL) in 59.38% cases, assisted vaginal delivery occurred in 9.38% cases and C-section was done in 31.25% cases whereas among non-obese ladies, these percentages were 68%, 8% and 24% respectively. In overweight/obese group 68% had spontaneous onset of labour as compared to 75% among non obese group. Out of these 68% overweight/obese females, spontaneous vaginal delivery occurred in 60.3% cases, assisted vaginal delivery in 13.2% cases and 26.5% had C-sections.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that risk of cesarean delivery does not increase significantly in overweight/obese group and induction of labour is a safer management option in this group.

Key words: Obesity, prolonged pregnancy, Body Mass Index