Anyone ever told they are not healthy enough to get pregnant?

[RachelS]

Hello ~

I was just wondering if anyone has every been told that they were not healthy enough to get pregnant and carry a healthy child. The reason I ask is because my sisters and parents all believe that I need to give my body a rest and to gain weight before I should become pregnant again. I feel healthy, I eat great, and I have not been sick in years..... well besides a broken arm not too long ago.

Anyway.... I am breastfeeding my son who is 17 months old and they feel I should wean and gain weight. Hmmm... I got pregnant with him when my weight was 118 (I am 5'4"). My weight now is about 105... but I am so healthy..... WHY ARE THEY PUTTING THIS FEAR IN ME??? I want to believe that I will have a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby and healthy toddler!!!

Any advice???

Thank you!! Rachel

[funnygrace]

Your family's feelings may be based on a number of factors, of course I wouldn't know what those factors are for your family and you may not either. They could include uneasiness about breastfeeding, concern about child spacing, jealously regarding your weight, memories of childhood illnesses you had, a feeling that you look like your grandma and she had trouble with a pregnancy... anything. I think families are really complicated and probably not a good source of info about your health. If you are not concerned, then I wouldn't worry about their concerns. If you are concerned, I'd ask a neutral informed party like your midwife.

[PiePie]

I once had my gyn suggest that I lose 10 pounds (7 of which I gained during honeymoon, putting me at my heaviest ever) before getting pregnant. This was quite disconcerting to me because for most of my life I have been underweight. I then talked to my intern about it, who gave the much gentler advice that I would have a much more comfortable pregnancy if I were to lose even 5 lbs. first, but that IT WAS NOT A MEDICAL PROBLEM so long as my weight is within the normal BMI range, which it is. I found that more palatable and more motivating to exercise and watch my dessert intake. not that we won't BD anyway!

[amnda527]

Originally Posted by funnygrace

If you are not concerned, then I wouldn't worry about their concerns. If you are concerned, I'd ask a neutral informed party like your midwife.

I agree. Number one should always be to go with what your gut is telling you. When they brought this up was there a little voice in your head saying, "hmm now that they mention it, maybe I should wait"? If thats the case, then what is the harm in waiting just so you and your baby could be healthier?Go to your midwife/doctor and ask them. Some women are just little, but still perfectly healthy! My mom is 95 lbs and around 5'2 or 5'3....and she had FOUR of us! Personally, I'm 5'4 and right around 105 as well, and just discovered I'm pregnant. As long as your eating healthy, exercising, (since you have a toddler I'm sure you're getting plenty of that), I think your good to go!