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The following links lead to the Plus-Size
Pregnancy Website, an excellent resource for plus and supersize
women and their families. The information was researched and written
by Kmom, a plus-size mom. She adds new information and updates frequently
to the website.
We have provided these links to the
Plus-Size
Pregnancy Website as an information source for plusmommaternity.com
readers. These links are not provided as medical advice and the
information gained from these links should not be viewed as a substitute
for medical care.
Preparing
For Pregnancy
Dieting
and Pregnancy Should I diet before pregnancy? During pregnancy?
What are the possible risks and benefits to losing weight before
pregnancy?
Am
I Healthy Enough For a Pregnancy? Will my weight or lack
of physical conditioning impede labor and delivery or harm my baby?
What can I do to ensure a healthier pregnancy?
Neural
Tube Defects: Don't Panic A review of the 1996 JAMA research
that linked obesity with increased rates of neural tube defects,
plus reviews of newer research as well.
Fertility
Concerns
Infertility
and Obesity A link to an excellent website on infertility
concerns, especially as it relates to plus-sized women. Email support
groups available Highly recommended link!
Large
Women and Adoption What if you want to adopt a child instead?
Are large women discriminated against in adoption, too? Where can
you find help and resources on adoption for people of size? BBW
Adoption Stories found here.
Finding
a Size-Friendly Provider
www.cat-and-dragon.com/stef/Fat/ffp.html
Link to a list of size-friendly providers around the country.
www.socalbirth.org/resource/question.htm
Questions to ask a Pregnancy Provider. Not specific to people of
size, just general questions.
How
To Treat a Pregnant Woman - Regardless of Her Body Size
Eloquent essay by guest columnist Dawn Mantas about what size-friendly
treatment really means. A must-read, and good for giving to your
provider too!
Are
You a Size-Friendly Midwife? Reprint of Kmom's article in
Midwifery Today, Spring 2002. Good for midwives, doctors,
and moms to read. Discusses the importance of size-friendly care,
stories of egregious bias and mistreatment of big moms, subtle signs
of size bias in even well-intentioned providers, and "Rules
of the Road" for providing size-friendly care to women of size.
Important
Issues Once You Are Pregnant
The
Importance of Large Blood Pressure Cuffs It is vital that
blood pressure readings are taken with large blood pressure cuffs
in “overweight” people. Use of a too-small cuff can lead
to a falsely high blood pressure reading, unneeded medication, and
interventions that endanger your baby. This FAQ discusses how to
know what cuff size to request, dealing with obstinate providers,
guidelines for getting an accurate blood pressure reading, and resources
to buy your own blood pressure cuff.
Figuring
Your Due Date The traditional
formula for figuring due dates are fine *unless* you are having
your first baby or have cycles that are irregular or extra-long;
this could lead to increased interventions before delivering. Be
sure to understand pregnancy dating thoroughly!
Weight
Gain in Pregnancy How much weight should large women expect
to gain in pregnancy?
Prenatal
Testing Issues
Prenatal
Testing Basic information about common prenatal tests, plus
special concerns larger women may have in taking ultrasounds, AFP
tests, GD, or amniocentesis tests!
Dealing
With Pregnancy Discomforts
Handling
Nausea In Pregnancy Morning sickness is a common complaint
among pregnant women, but it can have special ramifications for
larger women if not handled carefully. These hints may help.
Pelvic
Pain (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) Pubic pain, low back
pain, sciatica, pain turning over in bed or while putting on clothes,
etc. all are symptoms of SPD. Pubic pain may also be associated
with a higher rate of baby malpositions or a more difficult birth.
Information about causes, precautions, and treatments. Very
important information!
Plus-Size
Maternity and Nursing Clothing FAQs
Plus_Size_Maternity_Clothing_FAQ
Info on plus-sized maternity clothing in the United States. Editor's
Note: A selection of plus size maternity clothing is available
here at plusmommaternity.com, from our
"build a low cost wardrobe site" at grandstylemom.com and from grandstyle.com.
Plus_Size_Nursing-Bras_And_Clothing_FAQ
Info on plus-sized nursing bras/clothing in the United States.
Editor's Note: A selection of plus size nursing clothing, bras
and lingerie is available here at plusmommaternity.com
and from grandstyle.com.
Plus_Size_Maternity_Related_Products_FAQ
Info on maternity-related products like plus-sized nursing pillows/slings/baby
carriers/breast pumps/specialty products in the United States.
Plus_Size_Maternity_Resources_Abroad
Plus-sized resources for the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Possible
Pregnancy Complications
Baby
Malpositions: Implications for Birth Babies that are head-down
but subtly malpositioned often cause long, hard labors, and many
of these labors end in c-sections. Find out what position your baby
should be in for birth, how you can encourage that position, signs
that indicate a possible malpositioned baby, techniques for helping
a baby resolve its position, etc. If you had an especially long
and painful labor or if you had a cesarean because your 'baby was
too big', 'your pelvis was too small' or because you had a hard
time dilating all the way, be sure to read this important FAQ.
Gestational
Diabetes Information
All About
Gestational Diabetes What is gestational diabetes, who is
at most risk, how is it tested, how is it treated, what are the
risks, treatment controversies, practical tips for handling gd,
risks for the future, etc. Multiple FAQs with extensive references
and links available
Books, Links,
and Support Groups
Pregnancy and
Parenting Book Recommendations Good basic books on pregnancy
and parenting that contain a minimum of fat-phobia and a maximum
of good, sensible information (compiled from a survey of several
parenting lists plus Kmom's personal favorites). Also includes a
review of currently available books on plus-size pregnancy.
Support
Groups for Large Women and Pregnancy Mailing lists for large
women with concerns regarding infertility, pregnancy, or parenting.
Kmom's
Favorite Links The best websites for childbirth and size-acceptance
issues!
Coming Soon:
The Risks of Plus-Size Pregnancy:
A Summary, Supersized Pregnancy, PCOS: A Primer, Before You Conceive
and a BBW Pregnancy Photo Gallery. For more details on these and
other FAQs in development, click here.
All materials copyright © 1996-2007
Kmom @Vireday.Com. All rights reserved. No portion of this work
may be reprinted, reproduced or sold, either by itself or as part
of a larger work, without the express written permission of the
author; this restriction covers all publication media, electrical,
chemical, mechanical or other such as may arise over time.
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