Page 2 | Experiences of obese women and hospital care

StylishMummy · 03/12/2020 11:40

It is an oxymoron to say you are both obese and healthy. They are mutually exclusive terms.

The NHS have asked you relative questions about your physical abilities and they cater for a large range of people with different IQs, so the questions are standardised. YABU.

missperegrinespeculiar · 03/12/2020 11:43

It's funny how people are all too happy to cite and accept the studies that say that obesity is a health risk, but wilfully ignore and deny all the studies that prove that obese and overweight patients do suffer discrimination and are objects of assumptions that often have a negative impact on their care

why the selective acceptance of research results?

could it have something to do with... prejudice?!

olympicsrock · 03/12/2020 11:43

Sounds like you are morbidly obese - never healthy!

babbaloushka · 03/12/2020 11:44

Obesity presents an increased health risk. They need to ask these questions to establish what your additional needs are because of your weight. They have to make that assessment so they can safely deliver your child. You're not being judged or discriminated against.

IsAnybodyListening · 03/12/2020 11:47

I'm going to stick up for OP here. Several yrs ago I went to the Dr's for whatever reason, and whilst there he had me on the scales, and started to talk about 'healthy weight' as apparently the scales put me in the 'obese' section. I lifted my top to show him my stomach, and took my arm out of my sleeve....this was to show him my muscle. I can't remember exactly what I said, but I was fuming....I remember pointing out I was in a size 12 clothes (I'm 5'6) and weight trained daily, with alternate cardio days. So for me 'Obese' on the scales means nothing. I remember telling my gym coach at the time, and he said the exact thing had happened to him previously.

To be fair, I am definitely a little overweight now (and it's not muscle anymore!) But if anyone was that rude to me again, I'd just eat them.

Worriedandabitscared · 03/12/2020 11:50

My BMI puts me in the obese category and I've never been asked any of these questions and it's my first pregnancy, the midwifes don't seem bothered about my weight

Bluntness100 · 03/12/2020 11:52

It's funny how people are all too happy to cite and accept the studies that say that obesity is a health risk, but wilfully ignore and deny all the studies that prove that obese and overweight patients do suffer discrimination and are objects of assumptions that often have a negative impact on their care

I am not sure if you have posted on the wrong thread by mistake? Clearly no one has said this doesn’t happen. What’s been said is in this instance that the op has put forward there is a sound medical reason to have these questions asked of patients to ensure both the staff and the pregnant person is protected as best as possible.

That’s quite clear so assume it’s the wrong thread?

Harrisismyparadise · 03/12/2020 12:03

@Shinn

I have actually had enough of the stigma surrounding being overweight and pregnant, i had my 20 week scan today and my first antenatal appointment. On exposing my stomach the midwife quickly asked me “oh was your first one a cesarian then?”, im sick of this presumption that overweight women are seen as incapable of naturally delivering their baby, i have been asked this so many times and my answer always seems to shock! I replied “no. I had my 9lb 1oz son naturally, 20minutes pushing no tears and no forceps.” I am sick to death of the reaction of shock i receive when delivering this information! Why is it so hard to believe that an overweight woman can be capable of delivering a healthy baby in a natural way!!!? The questions that we are asked as overweight expectant mothers are equally degrading, on meeting the second midwife i was asked a trove of questions including the like of “can you get on and off of the commode independently” “can you get on and off the bed independently” “can you move around independently”? How in Gods name are these questions relevant? I walked the full stretch of the hospital to get to the appointment, i got up from a chair when called in to attend my appointment, i provided a wee sample all by myself (sarcasm) within the appointment! The questions were apparently relevant assessment due to my BMI, i happily informed her that i was perfectly mobile and capable in the conception of baby number one and now baby number two to which she didnt have much to say 😂. As if it isnt degrading enough to be stigmatised as lazy and incapable of birthing when overweight, the new stigma attached to overweight expectant mothers is now that we are disabled and incompetent to complete menial tasks due to weight! I love the experience of being pregnant but I absolutely detest the stigma and maltreatment we receive due to weight. Its vile and needs to change. I experienced a healthy pregnancy at this same weight last year i am now pregnant again, i did not get gestational diabetes despite being told i would. I did not develop blood clots or pre-clampsia despite being told i would. I did not need help in delivering my baby despite being told i would. Please please overweight ladies share your experiences too so that i know i am not alone in this. On a side note this is in no way trying to discredit mothers who experienced complications in pregnancy due to whatever factor, the purpose of this post is to vent my frustration at the stigmatisation of weight in pregnancy and the perceptions and accusatory treatment us overweight women receive. Also please note i am in no way trying to discredit mothers who gave birth with c section, i understand that this way is by no means the “easy” way despite the stigma surrounding it! Ladies please feel free to share with me your experiences.

Do you have a scar on belly? Why would she saw that when she saw your unscarred belly!? I don’t get it

Mustbe3ormorecharacters · 03/12/2020 12:24

I was asked the same mobility questions before an operation, I was 6’7 and 17.5 stone at the time and incredibly healthy although my bum was slightly high.

Mustbe3ormorecharacters · 03/12/2020 12:24

Bmi*

mistermagpie · 03/12/2020 12:34

I had my third baby last year and was underweight when I got pregnant, they still asked me every time it came up whether I had had my other two children vaginally. I think it's often just quicker to ask, no assumptions being made.

Personally I absolutely think obese people in general get stigmatised in society. It's not fair or right but it happens. In this case the tome might have been wrong but the questions about mobility seem standard, although it's understandable that you were uncomfortable with them OP.

It is simply not possible to be obese and healthy though. The example cited above of a weightlifter who was heavy because of that is quite specific and unusual and clearly not what's is at play with your situation OP.

Babdoc · 03/12/2020 15:34

I’m retired now, but all pregnant patients with a BMI over 40 used to be referred to a specialist anaesthetic assessment clinic, as we knew they were higher risk and we needed to discuss strategies like booking an epidural to cover the greater likelihood of needing surgical delivery, and assess the chance of a difficult intubation if they needed a GA.
As professionals, our only interest was patient safety. Silly emotional language like “stigmatising” should be reserved for social media. It has no place in health care!