Summary:

Unlike other areas of medicine where statistics are meticulously kept by governments and global organizations, there are no accurate data to describe the number of the world’s inhabitants who are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. Despite this knowledge deficit, it should come as no surprise to readers that the medical community is facing an epidemic. Obesity is present in many of the developed countries and can also be observed in some urban areas of developing nations. The cause of this epidemic, simply stated, is overeating, but the overriding concern is more complex. Social factors, such as growing affluence since the 1950s, increasing reliance on pre-prepared meals, and the popularity of fast foods and sweetened drinks, have all contributed to the problem.

Without doubt, the obesity epidemic has had adverse effects on both men and women, but in the case of women, some of its worse complications occur with those who are severely obese and pregnant. Obviously, this combination has been seen in the past, but it has increased so dramatically in its frequency that research has yet to catch up. Studies may discuss one or another aspect of caring for the obese pregnant patient, but until now, there has been no attempt to draw all such material together to try and present a comprehensive appraisal of the problem.

Written by international experts, this practical guide draws on evidence-based material and is an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals dealing with obese pregnant women on a day-to-day basis.

• Written by international experts
• Covers specific pregnancy issues, weight loss strategies, and suggestions to augment care plans and counselling
• Invaluable, practical guide for all healthcare professionals dealing with obese pregnant women on a day-to-day basis

Table of Contents:
Contributors
Preface
SECTION 1: CORE ISSUES
1. Epidemiology and long-term health consequences of obesity - Hamisu M Salihu and Alice R Richman
2. Pregravid obesity and excessive weight gain: implications on pregnancy - Galia Oron, Yariv Yogev and Moshe Hod
3. The psychology of obesity in women and pregnancy - Georgina Jones
4. The molecular biology of obesity - David CW Lau
SECTION 2: OBESITY AND REPRODUCTION
5. Obesity and conception - Erica E Marsh and Randall B Barnes
6. Maternal risks: hypertension, thromboembolism, and gestational
diabetes - Daghni Rajasingam and Hannah Rickard
7. Fetal risks: early and late pregnancy, and long-term complications
in adult life - Eyal Sheiner and Adi Y Weintraub
SECTION 3: PRECONCEPTUAL, ANTENATAL, AND POSTNATAL CARE
8. Antenatal care and ultrasound monitoring - Rebecca Black
9. Intrapartum care - Leslie Iffy and Lisa Gittens–Williams
10. Postpartum care - Kirsten Duckitt
11. Obesity and contraception - Ailsa E Gebbie
12. Diet and anti-obesity drugs - Manny Noakes and Jane Scott
13. Surgical treatment of chronic overnutrition - John G Kral
14. Diabetes and obesity - Orli Most and Oded Langer
SECTION 4: SURGERY AND ANAESTHESIA
15. Operative delivery - LaTasha Nelson and Alan M Peaceman
16. Anaesthetic techniques - Melanie J Woolnough and Steven M Yentis
Index

About the Author(s):

Margaret Rees
Reader in Reproductive Medicine and Honorary Consultant in Medical Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK; Visiting Professor, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

Mahantesh Karoshi
Specialist Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Frimley Park Foundation Hospital NHS Trust, Frimley, UK

Louis Keith
Professor Emeritus and Former Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, USA

Contributors:
Randall B Barnes MD Associate Professor, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA Rebecca Black MA MD MRCOG Consultant Obstetrician, Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK Kirsten Duckitt MRCOG Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Prince George Regional Hospital, Prince George, Canada Ailsa E Gebbie MBChB FRCOG FFSRH Consultant Gynaecologist, Family Planning and Well Woman Services, Edinburgh, UK Lisa Gittens–Williams MD Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMDNJ, University Hospital, Newark, USA Moshe Hod MD Director, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Tel-Aviv University, Petah-Tiqva, Israel Leslie Iffy MD Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMDNJ, University Hospital, Newark, USA Georgina J

Readership:
Healthcare professionals treating obese pregnant women

Reviews: