Mothers with obesity at greater risk of stillbirth: Study

Maternal obesity on its own and along with other risk factors, like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, substance use and chronic hypertension, was associated with an increased likelihood of fetal death. The risk of stillbirth in obese pregnancies increases with the gestational age, especially beyond 37 weeks. At around 38 weeks, the risk of stillbirth for pregnant people with obesity was roughly double to 2.5 times, compared to someone with a normal BMI and the risk was four to 4.5 times closer to 40 weeks. Experts say early delivery could minimize those risks. One in four Canadians are living with obesity.