Pregnancy and Weight Stigma: A Compassionate Guide
The journey to parenthood can be a beautiful experience. It can also be a time of heightened vulnerability and challenges. One significant challenge that many people face during this period is weight stigma.
Weight stigma refers to the negative attitudes and discrimination directed at individuals because of their weight. This stigma can affect anyone, but it is particularly impactful during the fertility, prenatal, and postpartum stages.
Let's explore how weight stigma can affect each of these stages and why it's essential to foster a supportive and compassionate environment for all prospective parents.
Weight Stigma and Fertility
For individuals trying to conceive, weight stigma can begin even before pregnancy. Medical professionals may focus heavily on weight, often suggesting that losing weight is the key to improving fertility. The emphasis on weight can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, making the journey to parenthood even more stressful and inaccessible to many.
People of all sizes can and do conceive. It's vital for healthcare providers to offer advice that considers the whole person, rather than focusing on weight.
Weight Stigma During Prenatal Care
Once pregnant, individuals can face weight stigma in various ways during prenatal care. This can range from unsolicited advice about dieting and exercise to negative comments about weight gain. These experiences can be incredibly discouraging and lead to increased anxiety and stress during a time that should be about nurturing and preparation.
I know from personal experience how weight stigma can impact prenatal care from your very first appointment. The focus should be on the overall health of both the parent and the baby, not the number on the scale.
Weight Stigma in Postpartum Care
After giving birth, new parents often face intense pressure to "bounce back" to their pre-pregnancy weight. This societal expectation can lead to feelings of inadequacy and increases risk of postpartum depression. Weight stigma in the postpartum period can come from healthcare providers, family, friends, and even social media.
Examples of Weight Stigma During the Perinatal Period
Emphasis on Weight Loss: Healthcare providers may insist that weight loss is essential before conceiving, often overlooking other factors affecting fertility. This can also inhibit individuals from receiving adequate or any fertility treatment.
Negative Assumptions: Assuming that a person’s weight is the primary reason for fertility issues without a thorough medical evaluation.
Inadequate Medical Equipment: Lack of appropriately sized medical equipment and furniture, such as blood pressure cuffs and exam tables, which can make medical visits uncomfortable and stigmatizing.
Unnecessary medical testing and monitoring: Pregnant individuals with higher body weights may be subjected to more frequent ultrasounds, glucose tolerance tests, and consultations with specialists, despite having no other risk factors indicating the need for such measures.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Educate Healthcare Providers: Training for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals on how to provide respectful, weight-inclusive care is essential. This can include learning to address health without focusing on weight and examing current medical criteria.
Promote Body Positivity: Encouraging a positive or neutral body image and celebrating the diversity of bodies can help reduce the impact of weight stigma. Highlighting stories of people of all sizes having healthy pregnancies and postpartum experiences can be very empowering.
Support Groups and Communities: Creating and participating in support groups for expectant and new parents can provide a safe space for sharing experiences and offering mutual support. These groups can help individuals feel less isolated and more understood.
If you or someone you know is looking for postpartum support in Virginia check out https://postpartumva.org/
Final Thoughts
The perinatal period can be a time of joy, self-discovery, and growth. By addressing and reducing weight stigma, we can ensure that all individuals receive the compassionate and respectful care they deserve. Let’s work together to create a world where every expectant and new parent feels valued and supported, regardless of their size.
Contact Us
Emilee Young is an eating disorder dietitian and founder of Embrace Nutrition Counseling. She supports all ages and genders in healing their relationship with food and embracing their natural body size. She specializes in binge eating disorder and works from a Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating framework.
Embrace Nutrition Counseling provides virtual nutrition counseling to residents in Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Including Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond Virginia.
Services offered include support for:
Eating disorders
Disordered Eating
Eating challenges related to anxiety, depression, and trauma
Prenatal and Postpartum Care
