DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2019.v07i11.011

Pages: 447-457

The incidence of caesarean delivery as well as complications related to it is projected to raise phenomenal level globally. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of weight gain during pregnancy on the risk of cesarean delivery of pregnant women attending Benghazi Medical Centre, 2019. A prospective cohort study carried out from 29th December 2018 to 30th May 2019 on pregnant women during second and third trimester until term “Delivery Day” who attend Benghazi Medical Center gynaecology and Obstetrics clinic. Among the total 411 subjects enrolled in the study the prevalence of caesarean delivery is (56.4%). According to the pre-pregnancy BMI categorization only 8.0 % of the subjects were underweight while 45.7 % were in the normal BMI category and 46.7 % were either overweight or obese. Each pre-pregnancy BMI group was subdivided by gestational weight gain low, recommended, or excessive, as defined by the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. Only (56.93%) gained weight within the recommended level. The mean prevalence of excessive weight gain during pregnancy was (35.77%). Maternal age and pre-pregnancy body mass index were associated with more caesarean delivery. Rather than weight or BMI alone, maternal height was found to be a more sensitive indicator of more caesarean delivery. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy was associated with more caesarean delivery. The results of this study are intended to help the government identify the subgroups within pregnant women in Benghazi city who are at greater caesarean delivery risk, who may benefit from early intervention and to guide it towards optimal, timely and cost effective intervention.