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Woman: Maternity ward doctor called me 'fat'
Daniel Edelson
Published: 29.04.12, 10:50
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50 Talkbacks for this article
1. Insulting
Jennie ,   Israel   (04.29.12)
Sue! The doctor was having a bad day? Let them pay!
2. Some Tora teaching in universities..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (04.29.12)
to develop humane qualities ,could do only good.
3. Appalling behavior
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (04.29.12)
If the complaint is sustained, this "physician" should have his license suspended; even revoked. It is not acceptable behavior.
4. Life Saving Criticism
leo ,   nyc   (04.29.12)
Whether in Israel or the US, patients who are obese need to be told firmly that they are shortening their lives by being overweight. While the exact facts in this case remain to be determined, the doctor should be applauded for stating the obvious--- obesity and the health costs associated with it are a tremendous burden on society.
5. To: Leo at No. 4
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (04.29.12)
It's a matter of degree and method. First of all, this woman could have been a gestational diabetic, which produces huge weight gains in pregnant women. One of my colleagues gained 95 pounds -- on a 120 pound frame! Would calling her "fat" have served any purpose? Moreover, if she was allowed to labor for 16 hours and then an anaesthesiologist was called in, it's a reasonable assumption that she was about to undergo a Caesarian section. But it is NEVER appropriate to address any patient in such a demeaning manner; no matter how bad a day you might be having. Delivery and birth is difficult enough a process without adding emotional stress.
6. #4 - You're right....but....
Chaya ,   Bat Yam   (04.29.12)
NOT WHEN SHE IS ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH!!
7. # 4
North Star ,   North of Israel   (04.29.12)
What nonsense. Israelis are not fat like in the US and there is no tremendous burden on society. Many of the latest studies have found that a slightly above "normal" BMI is perfectly healthy. I don't know whether you've been here but believe me, there is no way Israelis can compare with the obesity epidemic of the US. Even fat people here are not fat like in the US. You speak from your own perspective. And what business has an obstetrician telling a woman in the middle of labour that she's too fat? Even if she is - this should be addressed in pregnancy or before or after. But not in the most vulnerable moment of a woman's life when she's disheveled, exposed to everybody's view and trying to give birth to a baby. It's amazing that you can justify this kind of behaviour. I guess you are a man and have never been present at birth. There are so many pressing issues on a woman's mind - and her husband is usually present - no need to humiliate her and take her mind off the job she is just doing.
8. To: North Star at No. 7
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (04.29.12)
It wasn't the obstetrician. It was the anaesthesiologist. For the record, I agree with you about obesity in the United States. It's almost as big a problem as obesity in Gaza. But at least in Gaza women cover themselves. In the United States, too many seriously overweight women wear revealing and tight-fitting clothing. Not pleasant to see.
9. Doctors bedside manners!!
keg ,   AU   (04.29.12)
Obesity in pregnancy is associated with a number of potentially life threatening conditions. fortunately the mother was at least giving birth in a hospital. were emergency treatments would be available in case of emergency.
10. FAT
colin   (04.29.12)
This woman is surely fat and overweight. The docter to her the truth . All these sobbing talkbacks do not give a damn to the truth !!!
11. YAY for Chaya & North Star!!!
Li ,   Eilat, Israel   (04.29.12)
THANK YOU LADIES!!! I have gained weight to different degrees in all of my pregnancies but I do honestly think that had anyone ever mentioned my weight like that at any of the births he would be having more than a bad day by the time I was done with him....not to mention the need of his colleagues' aid! labour is definitely NOT the time to be bringing up anything that would lead to stress & upset!
12. Ora,@2, yes but remember "Derech eretz kadam haTora!"
Jew ,   JewLandia   (04.29.12)
courtesy & politeness (to our fellow human beings) is first before the Torah! Which is to say Shame on the physician!
13. the doc flubbed it still y is this news?!
(04.29.12)
14. Try putting in an epidural or an emergency anesthetic in the
Rofe Mardim   (04.29.12)
morbidly obese before getting too high on the high horse. When things go wrong they go terribly wrong very quickly. He should not have said it but I understand his frustration
15. Yes! Lose the Fat or orphan the baby
Baruch ,   Houston/Israel   (04.29.12)
It is about that simple: get healthy or suffer enormous consequences, wyou will live long enough to see your child grow, you will be smarter (yes fat affects the brain), you will be active in the child's life (you got fat by sitting), you will have a healthy outlook (your child may also learn to have one), you will have self respect and self efficacy, and maybe you won't get diabetes and have die while being taken in parts. There is not one upside to being obese--the doctor was doing his/her duty, now you do yours.
16. To: No. 14
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (04.29.12)
Aren't you assuming facts not in evidence? We don't know the degree of her obesity, nor do we know if it was caused by gestational diabetes. And if an epidural was not possible, there's always general anaesthesia, including many which are available for use in emergency C-sections when there foetal stress and no time to insert an epidural line. This woman's stress level had to have been high enough. Isn't a physician's cardinal rule "First, do no harm?" I think demeaning and ridiculing her qualifies as "harm," don't you?
17. Sarah General anesthesia is also fraught withdanger
Rofe Mardim   (04.29.12)
Difficult airway,difficult endotracheal intubation,difficult ventillation,difficult to maintain saturation,difficult IV access etc.No luxury of time.,when the foetal pulse keeps dipping or disappears I repeat he should not have said it but I can understand his/her frustration,there is nothing more horrible then a patient going bluer and bluer
18. How fat is or obese was she?
michael redbourn ,   Arad Israel   (04.29.12)
Overweight people and obese people in particular make it very difficult for doctors. I have a friend that works in MRI and she said that obese patients are a nightmare for her because it's so hard to get a reading. Obese people which I assume she was should stop waddling around and reduce the kilos because it's harmful for their health and harmful to everybody else's pocket. I don't want to pay for their ongoing doctor and hospital visits.
19. #7 - you post without knowing facts which is sad :-(
michael redbourn ,   Arad Israel   (04.29.12)
Obesity rates in Israel are high and comparable to those in the United States. Of special concern is the subgroup of older Arab women (55-64 years), whose obesity rates reached 70%. Current statistics according to one survey showcase a teen population with a 12.8% rate of being overweight, while 5.7% of teens are outright obese. Please check facts before posting misinformation. Any of the above can be found in a few minutes on the internet.
20. 15 Baruch Obese people want ...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (04.29.12)
very much to get rid of the superflu kilos,but are sadly unable to do so.
21. When did an anaesthesiologist become an expert on obesity?
Bad Assed Jew ,   United States   (04.29.12)
???? It isn't up to ANY Dr. to lecture a woman giving birth on her weight. It is neither the time or the place had it have been me and I were able, I'd have smacked that schmuck with the after birth and taken his picture and posted it on the web. This "Dr." should treat those who want never to see or hear this sort of shit again, his job is not to be a quasi expert on aggravation, it is to put people to sleep while under going surgery, period!
22. Sarah B. You don't have to look at fat American women
Bad Assed Jew ,   United States   (04.29.12)
that's your choice I am a bit disappointed you take this one subject to beat up on American women or, any non burka dressed babe, also, isn't it miserable for all women to be dressed in black from head to toe when the temperature's 120? Gaza women cover themselves or, are honor killed. No real comparison ... BTW a little kindness re: weight does more good than criticism. My mom was overweight and a more wonderful Jewish lady and RN who saved lives could never be found. Please support women, fat, thin, old, young, if we don't support one another, who will?? Shalom, barrister. ( thin I presume?)
23. IT WASN'T HIS JOB!!
Bad Assed Jew ,   United States   (04.29.12)
They have many experts in obesity this is not one of them. My foot Dr. doesn't tell me my legs are too thin or fat, he's paid to be an expert on the subject of feet, not fat.
24. Colin this man is clearly an idiot.
Bad Assed Jew ,   United States   (04.29.12)
and, I mean you! " The docter? to her the truth'. Your syntax is a sin...
25. Many thin women died from complications of child birth
Bad Assed Jew ,   United States   (04.29.12)
it had more to do with the proper education of the Dr.s than that of the new mothers. Blood clots killed more women due to their Dr.s telling them to stay in bed instead of moving after the birth of their child. Maybe that's were the old saying comes from " more old drunks than old Dr's?" BTW birth was a happening long before there were Drs.
26. That's what he's paid for.
Bad Assed Jew ,   United States   (04.29.12)
not to become an immediate 'expert' on obesity. He's paid to keep her sedated while giving birth, no more no less, that's his only job. Maybe he can work with deaf mothers??
27. Thank you ORA
(04.29.12)
My beloved mother was overweight and was the loveliest of women, she as an RN who helped to save lives, fat, thin, and the ones that young, unexperienced Dr's put at risk through their own neglect or deadly mistakes. She used to say, Dr's bury their mistakes." Dr's are not gawds....
28. in this case
tom ,   toronto, canada   (04.29.12)
some doctors specialize in anaesthesiology for a very good reason - they have no bedside manner. (pathology is another field for those who don't like dealing with people.) having made the comment, which obviously offended the patient, a little sensitivity, and an apology, might have fixed the problem, right then and there. and there is some research that shows that obesity can be caused by (viral) disease, over which the person has no control whatsoever. (in a percentage of cases.) would a doctor lecture a cancer patient on a malignancy the same way?
29. 25 BAJ, US: The Great Physician ( HaShem) predated the first
Rivkah   (04.29.12)
birth.
30. People who are fat and smokers
Raptor   (04.29.12)
should be told all the time how disgusting they are, I don't care what time of day it is. They are self destructing, they are a burden on society and it has zero to do with addiction or genes.
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