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Childbirth/Should I get Pregnant?

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Expert: - 9/23/2010


Question
Hi Dorothy,

I am 5'4" and 190 lbs. I know that is considered obese. Besides my weight, I am very healthy.  I would like to know if it would be safe for me to get pregnant? This would be my first pregnancy.  
If it isn't, how much weight do you recommend I lose?

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lilly,

I'm so sorry for the delay in getting back to you; it's been a busy couple of weeks here for me.

I've seen many women your size or larger go on to have pregnancies with no complications.  

This website has a lot of good information about the possible risks faced by larger women during pregnancy, and well as information about the pros and cons of dieting before getting pregnant.

http://plus-size-pregnancy.org/Dieting_and_Pregnancy.html

It is a part of a larger website with a lot of great information:

http://plus-size-pregnancy.org/firstindex.html

Sincerely,

Dorothy H, LCCE

Childbirth

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Dorothy H, LCCE

Expertise

As a certified childbirth educator and birth doula, I can answer questions dealing with preparing for birth, childbirth classes, pregnancy, what happens during labor and birth, doulas, VBAC, natural childbirth, cesarean birth, interventions in labor, labor, birth, helping someone through labor, concerns or fears about labor and birth, doulas, breastfeeding, and other topics dealing with pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Experience

Since 2004, I have taught childbirth education classes focused on helping couples gain confidence, make decisions for their birth, and give them tools for helping them get the birth they want. Since 2004, I have also attended births in local hospitals as a birth doula (as of 8/10, I have attended 120 births) so I am able to see firsthand what is working in helping couples deal with labor. I am also a mom of five children, and have various birth experiences myself, including unmedicated birth and a cesarean.

Organizations
Lamaze International DONA International

Publications
International Doula Magazine

Education/Credentials
I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator. I am a DONA-certified birth doula.

Past/Present Clients
I work with approximately 4-6 couples a month with my childbirth classes. I attend 2 births a month with doula clients.

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