"Pregnant, obese...and in danger" [View all]

[CTyankee]

"ONE recent night on my delivery shift, eight out of 10 of my laboring patients were too heavy, with two weighing over 300 pounds.

Over two-thirds of adults and about one-third of children in America now are overweight or obese. An obese pregnant woman is more likely to have a very large baby, weighing roughly nine pounds or more. And babies of obese mothers are more likely to grow up to become overweight or obese themselves.

Maternal obesity causes more immediate problems as well. Obese pregnant patients are more likely to have elevated blood pressure, gestational diabetes and babies with birth complications. They are more likely to need cesareans. And they are more likely to have serious complications from the surgery, such as infections, hernias or life-threatening bleeding.

Early that night on the ward, we had a patient with a “shoulder dystocia” — a scary situation in which the baby’s head delivers, but the shoulders are too big to pass through the birth canal. Shoulder dystocia is strongly associated with obesity and excess maternal weight gain during pregnancy, and can lead to permanent fetal injury, neurological disorders and even death."


Link to article here http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/opinion/sunday/pregnant-obese-and-in-danger.html?ref=opinion&_r=0


Very sensitive and caring view from an obstetrician who has dealt with this health issue. With so much fat shaming in our culture, it can be a difficult line for a doctor to walk. I can see how obese patients can feel conflicted during their pregnancies. My experience with a co-worker who was obese and carried two pregnancies successfully to term and gave birth to two very healthy and beautiful kids was a joy. She was also one of the most radiantly beautiful women I have known.