Medical care
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Elevation in prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been linked to a host of perinatal complications, but increases in charges or costs associated with obesity during pregnancy have not been quantified. ⋯ Although these hospitalizations represent a relatively small sample of all obese pregnant women, diagnosed obesity seems to contribute heavily to increased costs among pregnant women. Further studies are needed to identify reasons increased health care costs of caring for women with obesity during pregnancy besides increased cesarean section. These data may encourage insurers to provide fiscal incentives to prevent complications of obesity during pregnancy.