Faculty mentor/PI email address
nathanael.hoskins@towerhealth.org
Keywords
Obesity, cesarean delivery, induction of labor, early term, maternal outcomes, 29 neonatal outcomes
IRB or IACUC Protocol Number
Reading Hospital granted IRB exemption
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Introduction: Obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m²) in pregnancy is associated with increased risks, including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and higher cesarean delivery (CD) rates. Evidence supporting early-term (37 0/7–38 6/7 weeks) induction of labor (IOL) to improve outcomes remains limited. This study evaluated whether IOL in patients with obesity is associated with decreased CD rates.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pregnancies undergoing IOL between 37 0/7 and 41 6/7 weeks from 2018–2023 at a single institution. Exclusion criteria included spontaneous labor, prior CD, multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, non-vertex presentation, and pre-labor rupture of membranes. Primary exposures were pre-gravid BMI (≥30 vs. < 30 kg/m²) and gestational age at IOL (≥39 vs. < 39 weeks). The primary outcome was CD rate; secondary outcomes included shoulder dystocia (SD), obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS), postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and NICU admission.
Results: Among 6,477 patients, 69.7% had obesity. Obesity was associated with higher rates of CD (20.6% vs. 12.1%), SD (4.4% vs. 2.7%), PPH (7.9% vs. 5.1%), and NICU admission (8.5% vs. 6.6%), but lower OASIS rates (1.8% vs. 2.7%). Among patients with obesity, early-term IOL reduced SD (2.4% vs. 5.2%) but increased NICU admissions (10.1% vs. 7.8%), with no difference in CD rates.
Discussion: Early-term IOL does not reduce CD rates in patients with obesity but may reduce SD at the cost of increased NICU admissions. Further studies are needed to determine optimal delivery timing.
Disciplines
Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Medicine and Health Sciences | Obstetrics and Gynecology
Included in
Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons
Impact of Early Term Induction of Labor on Cesarean Delivery and Impact of Early Term Induction of Labor on Cesarean Delivery and Maternal-Fetal Outcomes in Patients with Obesity: A Maternal-Fetal Outcomes in Patients with Obesity
Introduction: Obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m²) in pregnancy is associated with increased risks, including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and higher cesarean delivery (CD) rates. Evidence supporting early-term (37 0/7–38 6/7 weeks) induction of labor (IOL) to improve outcomes remains limited. This study evaluated whether IOL in patients with obesity is associated with decreased CD rates.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pregnancies undergoing IOL between 37 0/7 and 41 6/7 weeks from 2018–2023 at a single institution. Exclusion criteria included spontaneous labor, prior CD, multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, non-vertex presentation, and pre-labor rupture of membranes. Primary exposures were pre-gravid BMI (≥30 vs. < 30 kg/m²) and gestational age at IOL (≥39 vs. < 39 weeks). The primary outcome was CD rate; secondary outcomes included shoulder dystocia (SD), obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS), postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and NICU admission.
Results: Among 6,477 patients, 69.7% had obesity. Obesity was associated with higher rates of CD (20.6% vs. 12.1%), SD (4.4% vs. 2.7%), PPH (7.9% vs. 5.1%), and NICU admission (8.5% vs. 6.6%), but lower OASIS rates (1.8% vs. 2.7%). Among patients with obesity, early-term IOL reduced SD (2.4% vs. 5.2%) but increased NICU admissions (10.1% vs. 7.8%), with no difference in CD rates.
Discussion: Early-term IOL does not reduce CD rates in patients with obesity but may reduce SD at the cost of increased NICU admissions. Further studies are needed to determine optimal delivery timing.