VIDEO: Start early to achieve successful pregnancy in obesity

In this video exclusive, Caroline T. Nguyen, MD, talks with Kenneth K. Chen, MD, FACP, about preconception and pregnancy considerations for women with obesity.

Nguyen is an assistant professor of clinical medicine, obstetrics and gynecology in the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. She is also an Endocrine Today Editorial Board Member. Chen is an endocrinologist; director of endocrinology, diabetes and clinical nutrition at Care New England Health in Providence, Rhode Island; co-director of the integrated program for high-risk pregnancy at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island; and associate professor of medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Obesity and insulin resistance can make conception difficult, and metabolic disorders associated with obesity can increase risks for early pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, thrombosis and infections during and after pregnancy. Early management can help minimize complications, according to Chen.

Clinicians should encourage women with overweight and obesity to try to lose weight before conception, if possible. Lifestyle changes, medications and surgery are options, but medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Novo Nordisk) should be discontinued at least 2 months before becoming pregnant, Chen said.

“The key pearl is to make sure we engage women early ... and not treat [obesity] as a taboo subject,” Chen said.

For more information:

Nguyen and Chen are speaking on this topic and more as part of the USC Jorge H. Mestman Endocrine and Pregnancy Symposium taking place in person and virtually Feb. 24.

Register for the symposium at keckusc.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=5&EID=7185.