Jezebel 
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New York, 4:07 PM
Tue Dec 15
73 posts in the last 24 hours
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03:26 PM
03:17 PM
Yes. Because grown women capable of bringing life to the world are truly just lil' wimmins who need to be "taught" how to live correctly. Fuck. You.
02:29 PM
03:48 PM
04:00 PM
12:50 PM
2. I suspect the (probably) arbitrarily chosen number 170 for an obese amount to weigh is going to really bum out a lot of people.
12:20 PM
But, what do I know? I plan to (with help from my doctor) stay on meds for my anxiety during pregnancy. Or not have babies. Obviously, I already hate any future hypothetical child.
A lot depends on how docs dispense this info:"OK Porky, I don't see how you got laid, but since you did, here's what you do to avoid making your baby fat and stupid..."
I'd say pay more attention to what you eat, and you/your baby will be fine, regardless of what the scale says. But I try to tell myself that even without a zygote attached to my pipes.
And this may not mean anything, but my mom lost 16 pounds in the first half of her pregnancy with me, and had to go to into the hospital. I think she both couldn't eat anything and was a little scared to, which she admits was misguided because for a little bit she was afraid she might lose me.
10:52 AM
10:48 AM
There are several kinds of fat on a woman's body. Hip fat, which has high levels of DHA (crucial for brain development) typically accumulates during puberty and pregnancy. Abdominal fat has no such benefits- and it typically accumulates on nonpregnant people. Some obese women could lose weight by changing to an exceptionally healthy diet during pregnancy, causing them to lose abdominal fat- but since they gain hip fat and the weight of the baby itself, it is a net zero.
This is a judgement between an individual woman and her OB-GYN. But the concept of pregnancy as a teachable moment is not a bad one; I used to work in a maternity rehab center, and women who do have unhealthy habits can be greatly motivated to change. Interestingly, diet was a big thing with patients, too- they usually subsisted on junk food, alcohol, and cigarettes prior to pregnancy (which is just about as bad as the actual crack cocaine for fetal health- I am aware of the myriad social factors that drove them to drug addiction and I am not comparing obesity to drug addiction).
11:03 AM
Why are we assuming that obese women aren't ALREADY eating a healthy diet? Because they're "obese", whatever the hell that means? Because if this is about healthful eating, weight is a red herring.
I would take this much more seriously if it were about calcium and iron and fatty acids. Instead it seems to be about the fatties who insist on not only killing themselves, but their unborn babies too OMGTHINKOFTHEBABIES!!!!!!
11:05 AM
Thank you for this. In an age when heart disease is the #1 killer of women it should be possible for us to discuss the mal effects of obesity without being perceived as "sizist".
11:35 AM
"the health care providers pregnant women visit most often aren't necessarily trained to recognize and address body image issues and eating disorders - but they are trained to track expectant mothers' weight and instruct them to keep it within a certain range. For women who struggle with disordered eating and body dissatisfaction, that can be problematic."
Most doctors aren't equipped to walk into the land mine that weight issues have become. So, I don't think a woman's DOCTOR's opinion is the end all, be all of her health. And I don't think that will change until we change as a culture. Both in the way we interact with food and in the way we treat the obese/overweight.
This is a much larger issue than just keeping chips and burgers away from the fatty, fatty fats fats. It's about re-evaluating our lifestyles and maybe our ideas of "health".
12:33 PM
Of course, doctors can be insensitive. But the doctor is the one person qualified to know if the individual pregnant woman is obese due to poor eating habits that could be changed (no one else should assume so). Mental illness, alcohol consumption, obesity- all of these things can be extremely detrimental to a person's well-being in some circumstances, and a doctor is in a position to offer the best advice on whether those circumstances exist in this case.
12:42 PM
"SOME" negates an assumption that obese women aren't already eating a healthy diet. That's why I wrote that. Some obese women are obese due to medication, physical issues limiting activity, or other reasons. Some are obese because they eat a lot of high-calorie, low-nutrient food.
And actually, when you're pregnant, you do have to THINKOFTHEBABIES!!!. Gestational diabetes is not a good thing for a developing fetus. If a woman is at extra risk for developing gestational diabetes due to her obesity, it is not at all unreasonable for a doctor to suggest she alter her eating habits.
I like to drink beer- not an unhealthy level, but I greatly enjoy craft beer. Were I pregnant tomorrow, my doctor would irresponsible not to suggest that I curtail my beer drinking. Some studies say alcohol consumption will not affect my long-term health, some say it might. She would suggest that I make my behaviors as healthy as possible, and the ultimate decision would be mine to make.
01:01 PM
01:54 PM
02:00 PM
I think you're giving doctors a bit too much credit in knowing a patient's day to day habits. While I certainly agree that a woman's doctor should be in best position to offer her advice, I think they often know much less than they should about an individual's actual diet/activity level b/c the focus is always on the number on the scale.
My main points is that these patient/doctor relationships and obesity are a symptom of our unhealthy culture. The disease needs to be fixed, not the symptoms.
02:17 PM
03:12 PM
10:30 AM
10:52 AM
[www.americanpregnancy.org]
10:28 AM
The results of the study indicate that in the case of women defined as "obese," it is most advantageous for the fetus for the mother to gain as little weight as possible. I'm not certain what the end points were that the study measured, but I don't think that the study is advocating weight loss for pregnant women.
10:33 AM
10:44 AM
In addition, the study hasn't even occurred yet, so we don't know that zero weight gain is actually ideal.
They haven't actually proposed a new guideline, from what I understand about the actual study, as they are still trying to enroll people. And, it seems like they're looking at what is best for the fetus rather than what is feasible and/or best for the mother.
11:33 AM
11:41 AM
11:54 AM
It is not a guideline. They are not making a 'law'. And even if your doctor decides that they like this study, you can choose to find a new doctor or just do what you think is best no matter what some study says. Simple as that. People choose to switch doctors all the time for things other than pregnancy, and it is an annoyance of course, but it is an option.
10:17 AM
10:21 AM
10:33 AM
10:35 AM
10:49 AM
I'm more concerned about the lack of fake sugars (ie no diet pop). I love me some diet pop.
10:51 AM
10:58 AM
12:42 PM
Though yes, it's still rare to come across food that's actually infected with listeria.
12:47 PM
01:28 PM
01:30 PM
03:03 PM
09:59 AM
I only eat when I am hungry, and I generally eat good stuff.
So these people can totally bite me.
10:36 AM
12:15 PM
I'm just tired of being off everyone's charts and--while able to fit my *BELLY* into maternity clothes, unable to fit my *BREASTS* into them because even when I am pregnant my body is *STILL WRONG*, thank you soooo much clothing designers!
/rant off
09:59 AM
10:01 AM
My fetus probably has a dust allergy by now. I am a bad mother.
10:26 AM
09:43 AM
However, she also found out she was pregnant 5 1/2 months into her pregnancy, as she needed major abdominal surgery to correct a previous, screwed-up bladder surgery. The net result was that she was puking and bleeding out of every which end for several months, and it took a while for her to separate feeling horrible from feeling pregnant. She lost most of the weight from after-effects of the surgery.
Her daughter was a tremendous shock, but also very much wanted. She turned out just fine. Her mom had a rough time of it, between the weight loss and the pregnancy.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for losing weight while pregnant.
09:43 AM
09:52 AM
10:13 AM
10:14 AM
10:14 AM
09:41 AM
Ugh, I'm so upset by this article I can hardly think straight. Way to fat-shame pregnant women. How about we educate people (men and women) to eat healthy? Sure pregnancy is a good time to start healthier habits (quit smoking, etc) but maybe pregnant women have ENOUGH to worry about, without stressing over the exact number of pounds they gained and how "fat" they are.
09:52 AM
09:54 AM
10:13 AM
10:27 AM