Abstract

Maternal obesity is becoming an epidemic in developed countries. This group of women presents an increased risk of labor induction due to the more prevalent associated obstetric comorbidities, such as gestational diabetes and hypertension. On the other hand, they also have an increased rate of failed induction of labor (IOL), which relates directly with increasing body mass index. This leads to higher cesarean section rates and, therefore, higher maternal and neonatal complications. There are few studies comparing the efficacy of different cervical ripening’ agents in obese women and none prospective study titrating the dosage of oral misoprostol in induction of labor in those women. The purpose of this mini-review is to alert clinicians to the high failure rate of IOL in obese women and the best way to overcome this issue.

Keywords: Obesity; Induction of Labor; Misoprostol