Obesity and the Critical Care Pregnant Patient

The rise of obesity among gravid women has been tracked and documented in many first-world countries, but a dramatic rise has been noted over the last 15 years. Definitions of "normal-weight, overweight and obese" have been defined; however, new terms are used to describe more severe degrees of obesity. Obesity in any form or degree increases morbidities in mothers. The unique physiologic characteristics of the obese gravida set up unique challenges in her management, especially in an acute setting such as labor. The definitions, trends, and management decisions pertaining to the obese parturient will be described in this review.