Maternal obesity — is it time to think differently?

This paper focuses on the increase in women now requiring complex care planning, specifically with regards to maternal obesity, and discusses the current approach to risk and risk management. The physical, psychological, social and political factors that affect obese women during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period will be critically examined. Furthermore, the midwife's role as a woman's advocate is evaluated, as well as how midwives can act as agents for change in providing more woman-centred care for obese women during their childbearing journey.