TITLE:
Why obese women feel better about their “big” condition when they are pregnant: A qualitative study performed in Sweden
AUTHORS:
Annsofie Adolfsson, Janne Finnerup Andresen, Kristin Brattstrom Edgren
KEYWORDS:
Obesity; Pregnancy; Support; Midwife
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.3 No.7,
August
26,
2013
ABSTRACT: Overweight and obesity as measured by the body mass index (BMI) is an
increasing problem worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
[1]. Women having a body mass index greater than or equal to30 kg/m2 are considered to be
obese and they run a greater risk of complications when they are pregnant. Complications
such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, risk of intrauterine fetal
death and slower delivery when giving birth to the baby are risks that can
affect the well being of the woman and the child. According to the study on the
women, the midwife’s most important role when
meeting with the pregnant obese woman is to inform them about potential risks
during pregnancy. The midwife must withhold judgment. For many women living
with obesity means that they are not seen as the person they actually are. Obese
women feel that they do not conform to the societal ideal of an attractive woman
because of their size and because of other people’s prejudices regarding their
obesity. When an obese woman becomes pregnant they may feel more comfortable
with their standing in society because there is a happy explanation for the
size of their abdomen. They experience that they are happy and proud about
their stomach and this gives them a sense of relief and belonging.