Obese and overweight women have significantly longer labours than normal-weight women, a study suggests.

 The study found that obese women had a median duration of labour of 7.9 hours in the 4 to 10cm cervical dilation period. Overweight women had a median labour of 7.5 hours, and normal weight women 6.2 hours.

 The longer labour in overweight women was attributed mainly to slower progress in the 4 to 6cm phase, while obese women were significantly slower before 7cm. There were no significant differences between groups in the active phase of labour.

 Overweight and obese women were more likely to have caesareans, to be admitted earlier to labour and delivery, report no or irregular uterine contractions, have their labour induced, and receive oxytocin, compared with normal-weight women. (Obstet Gynecol 2004; 104 (5):943-51)

 Source: Medical Tribune. 15-30 Nov 2004.