tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post2057877066383031014..comments2024-03-17T10:07:53.205-07:00Comments on The Well-Rounded Mama: Why Waterbirth Is So Great for Women of SizeWell-Rounded Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04129621631406155340noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-73658158780244235872008-09-02T20:03:00.000-07:002008-09-02T20:03:00.000-07:00Wow, anonymous, I'm sorry you felt attacked. That...Wow, anonymous, I'm sorry you felt attacked. That's not what this post was about.<BR/><BR/>It was about keeping waterbirth an option for women of size, and enumerating its advantages so that women of size who haven't considered it understand why it can be a good choice to have. It certainly wasn't about forcing all women of whatever size into one model of birth. <BR/><BR/>If you are fully informed about the risks of epidurals etc. and you choose to have one, more power to you. I actually do not have a problem with that. I had an epidural with my first, and I absolutely think they have a place in birth at times. It's good that option is available nowadays.<BR/><BR/>However, I could do without the sarcasm about women who do choose to birth without medication. If I were having a tooth pulled, absolutely I'd want pain meds. The difference is that in childbirth, there is a baby involved too. And while the risks of the epidural in some ways are smaller than with IV meds, there are still some risks. Women who don't want those risks shouldn't be required to assume them (some hospitals strongly pressure women of size to automatically have early placement of an epidural). <BR/><BR/>That's not to say that anyone who chooses an epidural or whatever is wrong or a "bad mom" or something. That's reading into this post something that was never there. If you are educated about the pros and cons and the alternatives and this is the choice you want, go for it. The whole point is for women to have real CHOICES, and that includes women of size.<BR/><BR/>So please, choose the epidural if you'd like it. You don't need my approval for it, but as long as you understand the pros and cons thoroughly, I'm okay with women choosing epidurals. Just don't deny the rest of us the choices we want, and don't deride us for those choices either. <BR/><BR/>We don't need the mommy wars here about unmedicated vs. medicated and who's a better mom because of it. It's all about CHOICES and making sure we all have them. That's what this post was really about.Well-Rounded Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04129621631406155340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-16888580484640007592008-09-01T07:35:00.000-07:002008-09-01T07:35:00.000-07:00Why wouldn't a plus sized woman want a water b...Why wouldn't a plus sized woman want a water birth?<BR/><BR/>As a plus sized woman, who's 30 weeks pregnant...<BR/><BR/>1-Because I *WANT* an epidural. I have ZERO desire to give birth without pain medication. Z-E-R-O. As someone who has undergone previous surgery, and has had her surgical consult, I feel that you are overemphasizing the risks of an epidural. Beyond that, episiotemies have generally gone the way of the dinosaur with around 80% of all births not involving one. <BR/><BR/>2-Because I have no desire to move around or change position or any other phrases that indicate anything other than a nice sterile hospital environment with me on a bed (where I WANT to be) surrounded by people with actual medical degrees being told when to push. I'm not interested in "breathing" in any other way than the way I've been doing it for 30 years, I'm not interested in deciding for myself when it's time for pushing---I didn't go to medical school, I went to a liberal arts college and have a masters in another content area. I believe in letting the professionals DO THEIR JOBS without some yahoo (me, the pregnant lady without a medical degree) try and dictate what's best.<BR/><BR/>3-While I am a huge fan of water, and often have to be dragged out of the water because I love it so much, I was disgusted by the videos I've seen of water births. I have zero interest in that.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate a blog with the mission of being fat friendly and empowering to those of us who are plus sized, but please remember that some of us are completely unromantic about this whole L&D thing and want to get the kid out with a minimum of pain. I wouldn't get a tooth pulled without drugs--why would anyone in their right mind want to shove an 8lb kid out of the vagina without them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-23544732536860137002008-08-19T06:07:00.000-07:002008-08-19T06:07:00.000-07:00hey there kmom! you have an amazing blog here:) of...hey there kmom! you have an amazing blog here:) of course, you are an amazing woman! i had meant to birth in the water, (on the way back to tub from potty i just couldn't move anymore LOL) it was amazing to labor in though! your plus size pregnancy site was so very helpful to me (wow!) 5 years ago now! ((( Big Hugs))) sanQAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738062031052371885.post-29137819446736994722008-08-17T22:10:00.000-07:002008-08-17T22:10:00.000-07:00I just wanted to let you know how happy I am to be...I just wanted to let you know how happy I am to be reading this blog. I have used your website on plus size pregnancy as a resource.<BR/><BR/>I am a 30 year old fat woman who regularly exercises. I am trying to get pregnant yet I have a deep fear underneath my decision. <BR/><BR/>Of course the fear is that I will be mistreated because of my size. <BR/><BR/>A few years ago I dropped about 100 pounds on the low carb diet plan. I gained it back of course. Since that time I have embraced an active lifestyle (walking, doing the elliptical in my home, cooking my own healthy meals at home). I feel physically and emotionally ready. I do worry about my career ( I am a graduate student) but I feel that I have enough support.<BR/><BR/>I am prepared to look for a truly size friendly provider. I am in the Philadelphia/ South Jersey area. If you or anyone who reads this blog knows of anyone who can assist me it would be greatly appreciated. I have seen some recommendations for midwives & doctors in Central Jersey but none locally.<BR/><BR/>Once again I commend you for the work that you have done and that you are doing. You empower me to be my own advocate and to live my life proudly!Zaynahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359900172340532243noreply@blogger.com