We need to carefully consider how messages like this around obesity in pregnancy from @PHE_uk play out for women with higher BMIs. A thread, and thanks for flagging @MaritaHennessy 
We engaged with many women with higher BMIs in pregnancy. Many had been aware that obesity in pregnancy carried additional risks and had lost considerable weight before conceiving - yet they remained overweight. No-one took this into account.
Womens knew they were at higher risk but this risk was often not contextualised - as it isn’t in the @PHE_uk slide - the risk of stillbirth for example may increase but it still remains relatively low.
As an aside the relationship between maternal obesity in pregnancy and childhood obesity is complex - shared genetics and social circumstances are likely to play key roles, alongside the suggestion of metabolic pre-programming in utero.
Women do as the slide warns often have their birth choices restricted, sometimes with litttle explanation or exploration of a woman’s own values, needs and appetite for risk.
We need to consider how these messages set women up for motherhood - we spoke to women who felt completely dehumanised - one woman told us she couldn’t even set up a cot she was so convinced she wouldn’t bring a baby home.
How can we make things better?
1. Don’t hide the risks but contextualise them
2. Recognise the journey that women may have already been on before pregnancy
3. Obesity is a society-wise issue so let’s stop taking such an individualised approach
4. And crucially #supportnotstigma
1. Don’t hide the risks but contextualise them
2. Recognise the journey that women may have already been on before pregnancy
3. Obesity is a society-wise issue so let’s stop taking such an individualised approach
4. And crucially #supportnotstigma
