One of its kind in Mumbai, a 33-year-old woman weighing 160 kg with a history of hypothyroidism, gave birth to a healthy 3.2 kg baby after 14 years of marriage. The delivery was done via cesarean section by Dr Mangala Patil, Consultant Obstetrician, and Gynaecologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road with her team, who ensured special arrangements were in place for the safety of both the mother and baby. The team was led by Dr. Mangala Patil & Dr. S N Agarwal, Neonatologist Dr. Nitu Mundhra, Endocrinologist Dr. Harsh Parekh, and experts of the Anaesthesia team Dr. Devendra Deshmukh, Dr. Farzeen Qureshi, and Dr. Monal Shah. Both, the mother and baby are in good health following the successful delivery.

Patient Mrs. Simmora Dsouza, a 33-year-old, working in an International BPO, married for 14 years but failed to conceive as she had a history of hypothyroidism since childhood along with menstrual irregularities and morbid obesity. Her weight shot up to 185 kgs a few years back. She underwent a bariatric surgery for the same. Last year, she spontaneously conceived and came for a follow-up at Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road during the last 2-3 months of her pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby.

Dr Mangala Patil, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road said, “Obesity and Pregnancy is considered as a High-Risk Pregnancy as it invites risk for baby and mother which affects the pregnancy output. Obese women in pregnancy face challenges and complications such as Preterm Delivery, Abortion, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Gestational Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Convulsions, and Low Birth Weight Babies.

In high-risk pregnancies, a patient needs surgical intervention and has a high chance of cesarean section. During delivery, the patient can have postpartum hemorrhage and can need a blood transfusion. The patient may need an intensive care unit. Post Delivery there are chances of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) due to morbid obesity.

The obese patient should go for weight reduction before conception through a proper diet plan, and lifestyle modifications and if having thyroid disorder, hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease, the patient should go for a medical treatment to optimize the condition, thus improving the outcome both for mother and baby. Morbidly Obese patients are unable to reduce weight through diet and exercise and are in a rush for weight loss (Bariatric) Surgery is an option. The patient wanted to conceive so she underwent Bariatric surgery, which helped her reduce her weight from 185 kg to 130kg.

Dr. Mangala Patil added, “Being a high-risk pregnancy patient needs more frequent follow-up and regular ultrasonography along with proper diet and exercise, the patient was following everything. Normally average weight gain in the pregnancy is 11kg, in this case, it was 30kg.

Wockhardt Hospital’s specialized Obstetrician Team, OT Team, Anaesthesia Team, Neonatology Team, and Endocrinologist Team handle these challenges with expertise and care, ensuring safe deliveries for both mother and baby. “By tailoring their approach to the specific needs of obese mothers, the hospital has achieved remarkable success rates in delivering babies safely. This level of specialization ensures that even high-risk pregnancies can be managed effectively because of our infrastructure and multidisciplinary approach and giving obese women and the family peace of mind during this crucial time,” highlighted Dr Patil.

“Our dream of having a baby seemed unattainable for years. After 14 years of marriage marked by struggles with obesity and thyroid problems, I almost gave up hope.  I had tears of joy in my eyes after I held the baby for the first time and welcomed him to this world. I am on top of the world after embracing motherhood.  I am forever indebted to Dr Mangala Patil and her team for giving me and my baby a new lease of life,” concluded the patient Mrs. Simmora Dsouza.