Is this the same journalist that wrote the stupid front page article last weekend (which was posted on BB). If so my suggestion would be to use "The Age" for lining the cats litter tray from now on....
I am "obese". I had an epidural with my first birth due to pre-eclampsia complications. It went in fine and worked properly. Only problem was trying to sit still during contractions while they put it in... obviously not a 'weight issue'.
My second birth I sailed thru in 45 minutes with no pain relief at all!
Personally, I would not let someone stick a big needle in my spine JUST for the 'what if' situations. Its this kind of scare mongering generalisation that makes some women fear birth and panic into compromising their wishes before even having the first contraction.
My sister was 'forced' into having a c/s because she was too overweight to deliver normally. She was very young and inexperienced at the time (and it was a long time ago) and she has regretted it ever since.
Ok. and if this post sounds inflammatory and aggresive, well, thats just the kind of day I'm having. Blame it on the hormones.... Im really a nice person... really.
I am someone who rolls my eyes at these kinds of articles.
I am Obese. I am a very large chick.
I understand that yes, it CAN cause complications. It CAN have bad effects on pregnancy and birth, but I really think anything like this should be decided on case by case. I have fantastic pregnancies. I have a better birth with DS than I could have imagined. Did I have ANY problems in labour? NO not one. I had no problems being monitored. I had no problems with any drugs. I had a problem with them putting a cannula in, but that is because I have small veins. I had this problem when I was a size 12, it's no different.
I had gas only last birth. I am hoping that this time, my birthing experience can be as good if not better than my first one. I am VERY confident in my BIG body. I just don't see why because of weight, us large people are shoved into a bracket where we are a massive risk.
I am perfectly healthy, and the only 'problem' with me according to my caqre providers in my weight. If I did happen to have complications, and needed an epi, I'd have it in a heartbeat. If I HAD to have a c sect, I'd have it. I just beleive in being able to be given a go first.
I will be saying NO to an epi, unless I NEED it.
I have the utmost confidence in my body though, and I just know I can do it again
Sorry might have gon off track, but when are care providers going to stop looking at a number to determine your risk, and start looking at your entire history before deciding it? Case by case I say
Oh and myson... I think my post is more aggresive than yours haha.
ETA: by the way... I had a 36+ hour labour, which 32 hours of was at home. Yes, it was tiring, but I was in no way ridiculousy exhausted afterwards, and even got up and walked over to have a shower.
I am a size 22, weighing at about 100kg and 155cm tall, i have delivered 5 happy, healthy babies, i had no labour complications and no drugs. My only plan during labour was that i did not want an epi, i used mind over matter, visulising the baby moving down, it still hurt like hell, but it helped me remain calm.
I do understand that they worry that a womans size can hinder an epi, especially if it is needed in an emergency, but to suggest that larger women have one to advoid problems trying to get one in if needed later, is just absurd.
My sister is half my size and after watching me give birth 5 times, asked for an epi, unfortunatley for her it slowed down her labour and she ended up needing a c sec.
So large women are more than capable of delivering babies with out any complications and without the need for an epi.
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