Fetal growth restriction not more likely for obese women

Obesity can create many challenges during pregnancy. But, a new study shows that fetal growth restriction, or poor growth while in the mother’s womb, is not one of them. Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that the incidence of fetal growth restriction was lower in obese and diabetic women when compared to non-obese women. Growth restriction was only higher in smokers and women with pre-eclampsia. The researchers observed that, of the babies that had growth restriction, the rate of moms given accurate diagnoses was the same for obese and non-obese women, suggesting that missed diagnoses is not a factor. This research defeated the idea that the increased rates of fetal death, a risk factor in obese women’s pregnancies, are caused by undiagnosed growth restriction. Because of this, researchers expressed the importance of closely monitoring pregnant women who have high blood pressure or are smokers, since these may be factors in growth restriction or fetal death.