pregnancy is not a medical condition

MrsRebz2Be

what are your thoughts on this statement... true/false? why?

Fianschneid

I go back and forth. I believe a pregnant woman should be under the care of a physician as her body is changing rapidly and should be monitored for both her health, as well as her baby's.

On the otherhand, I don't feel that I am fragile, breakable or need/deserve special treatment just because I am pregnant. Of course, I have had a relatively easy pregnancy, thus far, and I understand that some women have it much harder and do need special attention.

In other words, I'm no help. I can see both sides.

pettycrocker

Hell yes it is. Who the eff goes to the Dr's this much for no medical reason? I thought once a month was bad, now every 2wks, and then once a week? REALLY? for no medical reason!?! 

mabst196

Pregnancy is a medical condition. It doesn't mean you are disabled or can't do anything for yourself like many people think it is.

Chanels26

Oh yes it is! It's also the best medical condition ever, you get a wonderful prize at the end. There's also a whole wing/floor at the hospital to tend to our "delicate" condition.

mariposa_atl

Pregnancy is a medical condition.  And the degree to which it impacts the mother's health and well being depends on the pregnancy.  Some women can still run miles and miles, others need to be on bed rest, develop preeclampsia, etc.

eli_and_jeff

In my case, it's definitely a medical condition. I wouldn't inject myself in the belly twice a day for fun.

SarahPLiz

I think that it is a medical condition, but definitely not a disability. I have allergies, which are also a medical condition. Big flippin deal!

christinaramirez08

Chanels26:

Oh yes it is! It's also the best medical condition ever, you get a wonderful prize at the end. There's also a whole wing/floor at the hospital to tend to our "delicate" condition.

I couldn't have said it better myself. This is one medical condition I'd like to have at least twice

megd06

it is--HOWEVER, it is not a medical crisis that requires paranoia, especially during labor (with the exception of some rare conditions during pregnancy, of course).

waiting4Baby00

It is a condition.  It is not a handicap.

mabma80

I've always agreed with that.  It's not a medical condition.  Arthritis, alzheimers, diabetes, etc. is a medical condition.  Pregnancy is pregnancy. It DOES eventually get resolved.

LillyMD

Of course it is. Any change in your body can be considered a medical condition. If it weren't, then all these OBs are getting paid for nothing!

sleepingbeauty

it's a medical condition.  not a physical or mental disability.

hepcats

It is a medical condition - which is why it is covered under FMLA (for companies with more than 50 employees).  Plus, any condition that requires (or recommends) consistent care from a physician or otherwise appropriately licensed individual (MW) qualifies as a medical condition. I agree with other posters though, a medical condition doesn't, and shouldn't, connote that it is a disability - it is simply a condition.

blu-eyedwife

mabma80:

I've always agreed with that.  It's not a medical condition.  Arthritis, alzheimers, diabetes, etc. is a medical condition.  Pregnancy is pregnancy. It DOES eventually get resolved.

This is a poor argument since many other medical conditions can resolve.

crzygirl

False! Pregnancy is a medical condition! I visit too many doctors too often to not be a a patient with a medical condition.

Skibunny07

mabma80:

I've always agreed with that.  It's not a medical condition.  Arthritis, alzheimers, diabetes, etc. is a medical condition.  Pregnancy is pregnancy. It DOES eventually get resolved.

I don't think that is a good way to look at it... cancer often times get resolved, does that make it not a medical condition?

I agree with other that anything that requires you to see a doctor as much as pregnancy does is a medical condition and and there are varying degrees of  it just like with any medical condition, everyone's different, some people are smooth sailing, some people have a really rough time and develop real problems from it. Just like some people find out they have cancer and can have the tumor removed and be fine (my dad with skin cancer) and others have to go through years of chemo and may not live. 

However I don't believe pregnancy is disabling medical condition in most situations (obviously there are some, the people that have to go on bedrest, etc). but in most situations it is just a condition that needs to be monitored.  

chillyupnorth

I don't think of it as a medical condition - more like a normal function of the female body. When I think of medical condition, I think of something that needs to be treated. Pregnancy doesn't need to be treated. SYMPTOMS of pregnancy sometimes need to be treated, but pregnancy itself is as natural as eating, drinking, using the restroom, etc.

clangley09

Skibunny07:

mabma80:

I've always agreed with that.  It's not a medical condition.  Arthritis, alzheimers, diabetes, etc. is a medical condition.  Pregnancy is pregnancy. It DOES eventually get resolved.

I don't think that is a good way to look at it... cancer often times get resolved, does that make it not a medical condition?

I'm not sure cancer is something to compare pregnancy to. Most cases take 5 years of remission to be considered "cured/resolved" and it can come back at any time.

I think it is a medical condition that is CHOSEN by the patient. You chose to be pregnant. As PP said it needs to be monitored but it certainly is not a disability.

caffinated_tulip

False. Pregnancy is a medical condition. It's not a disability or a handicap, but it is a condition. I've had a pretty rough pregnancy, especially the first tri, so I really appreciate the extra niceness that some people give me. A seat on the bus? Why thank you!

acaver

I feel like a walking, talking medical condition, but that's just me

itsmevkb

Saying that pregnancy isn't a medical condition because people choose to become pregnant (although not every woman made that choice) is like saying lung cancer isn't a medical condition if the person who gets it chose to smoke.  Saying that it's not a medical condition because eventually you are no longer pregnant is like saying that because my migraine headache will eventually go away that it's not a medical condition. 

I'm sure that all those who don't consider pregnancy to be a medical condition will willingly pay back their insurance for all the MEDICAL bills they are incurring.  Afterall, why would health insurance pay for something that isn't a medical condition?

RitaElaine

Pregnancy is definitely a medical condition. How can it not be? No one goes to the doctor this much for nothing. It definitely isn't a disability as some may think even with some general random restrictions you have.

mrs-smith2b

acaver:

I feel like a walking, talking medical condition, but that's just me

Me too, but I've had a rough pregnancy so far (hypermesis) so maybe I would feel differently had this been a little easier.  

Fianschneid

SarahPLiz:

I think that it is a medical condition, but definitely not a disability. I have allergies, which are also a medical condition. Big flippin deal!

This is the perfect wording for what I was thinking.

Annabelle81

False, I go to a Dr. because of it.

ETA: I misread the title. False!

clangley09

itsmevkb:

Saying that pregnancy isn't a medical condition because people choose to become pregnant (although not every woman made that choice) is like saying lung cancer isn't a medical condition if the person who gets it chose to smoke.  Saying that it's not a medical condition because eventually you are no longer pregnant is like saying that because my migraine headache will eventually go away that it's not a medical condition. 

15000 of lung cancer patients die every year who have never smoked.

My mom is a lung cancer patient and she's never smoked a cigarette. So that's not completely true. And yes every woman makes that choice because there are OTHER choices. There normally are no re-occuring conditions caused by pregnancy after birth. Migraines re-occur...so it's not the same thing. 

laurasuzanne2006

chillyupnorth:

I don't think of it as a medical condition - more like a normal function of the female body. When I think of medical condition, I think of something that needs to be treated. Pregnancy doesn't need to be treated. SYMPTOMS of pregnancy sometimes need to be treated, but pregnancy itself is as natural as eating, drinking, using the restroom, etc.

clangley09

laurasuzanne2006:

chillyupnorth:

I don't think of it as a medical condition - more like a normal function of the female body. When I think of medical condition, I think of something that needs to be treated. Pregnancy doesn't need to be treated. SYMPTOMS of pregnancy sometimes need to be treated, but pregnancy itself is as natural as eating, drinking, using the restroom, etc.

Best answer yet...IMO.

AggieGrl

clangley09:

itsmevkb:

Saying that pregnancy isn't a medical condition because people choose to become pregnant (although not every woman made that choice) is like saying lung cancer isn't a medical condition if the person who gets it chose to smoke.  Saying that it's not a medical condition because eventually you are no longer pregnant is like saying that because my migraine headache will eventually go away that it's not a medical condition. 

15000 of lung cancer patients die every year who have never smoked.

My mom is a lung cancer patient and she's never smoked a cigarette. So that's not completely true. And yes every woman makes that choice because there are OTHER choices. There normally are no re-occuring conditions caused by pregnancy after birth. Migraines re-occur...so it's not the same thing. 

I think you need to re-read the comment.  She didn't say that all lung cancer is caused by smoking.  She is saying that IF the lung cancer was caused by smoking, it would be ridiculous to tell that patient they don't have a medical condition because it was self inflicted.

NurseLaLa

By definitely, it actually is not a medical condition. It is an altered physical state. 

 We certainly treat it like a medical condition, though. Pity.  

Enami

Not a medical condition. A medical condition means something is not working properly. Pregnancy can cause things to not work properly, but it in itself isn't non-functioning, because it's one of those things that if it isn't right, it can't continue. It's a physical state of being. We go to the doctor all the time as a preventative procedure, like getting a yearly mammogram just to make sure everything's ok. You actually don't HAVE to go to the doctor at all to carry to term, it's just a good idea.

sarie1621

Enami:

Not a medical condition. A medical condition means something is not working properly. Pregnancy can cause things to not work properly, but it in itself isn't non-functioning, because it's one of those things that if it isn't right, it can't continue. It's a physical state of being. We go to the doctor all the time as a preventative procedure, like getting a yearly mammogram just to make sure everything's ok. You actually don't HAVE to go to the doctor at all to carry to term, it's just a good idea.

What about the girls with Pre-E, or PPROM? or other life threatening to mother and baby medical issues who WOULDN'T carry to term without medical intervention?

That statement is completely false, tons of people DO have to go to the doctor to carry to term. 

Enami

sarie1621:

Enami:

Not a medical condition. A medical condition means something is not working properly. Pregnancy can cause things to not work properly, but it in itself isn't non-functioning, because it's one of those things that if it isn't right, it can't continue. It's a physical state of being. We go to the doctor all the time as a preventative procedure, like getting a yearly mammogram just to make sure everything's ok. You actually don't HAVE to go to the doctor at all to carry to term, it's just a good idea.

What about the girls with Pre-E, or PPROM? or other life threatening to mother and baby medical issues who WOULDN'T carry to term without medical intervention?

That statement is completely false, tons of people DO have to go to the doctor to carry to term. 

 

Those things are the medical conditions, not the pregnancy itself. Pregnancy is just developing and carrying the baby. There's nothing abnormal about that, there's abnormal things your body can do in response to that.

 

Fishing for an example... I get an IUD and you get an IUD, you do fine with it, I lose a fallopian tube because of an infection due to a metal allergy. I could say all women with IUD's have a medical condition, which would be false, or that some women have complications that arise because of their bodies' reaction to the IUD, where those conditions are the medical issues and not the IUD itself.

 

Just because SOME women have to have medical intervention to carry to term, doesn't even mean the majority need it. If they did, then the human race would have died out long ago. I wish we could see why women really died in pregnancy and childbirth before modern medicine, what where their chances of getting Pre-E and things like that?

tchubirubi

Enami:

sarie1621:

Enami:

You actually don't HAVE to go to the doctor at all to carry to term, it's just a good idea.

What about the girls with Pre-E, or PPROM? or other life threatening to mother and baby medical issues who WOULDN'T carry to term without medical intervention?

That statement is completely false, tons of people DO have to go to the doctor to carry to term. 

Those things are the medical conditions, not the pregnancy itself.

Terminology, I think. What is the definition of "medical condition"? Because pregnancy is not an illness, problem, desease, injury. It may be debilitating in some cases, and it may cause a medical condition. But pregnancy is not, in itself, a medical condition, unless I misunderstand the term (which, yes, is perfectly possible, since English is not my first language).

Now, about the subjacent topic, there are women who need special care while pregnant and women who act like spoiled brats while pregnant, but I usually tend to refrain from telling them apart because I know every pregnancy is different. Just because I haven't had any morning sickness this entire pregnancy, it doesn't mean that women who have their heads stuck in toilets for months are AWs, making it up or even exaggerating it. I find it very self-centered and self-righteous to go "oh, that's funny... I've been pregnant and I've never had that..." or utter the more direct, sweet and conscise "suck it up" upon hearing of someone else's difficulties during pregnancy.

So not a medical condition, not a handicap, not per se. But still not necessarily a walk in the park, not for everyone, and some special treatment is always nice, even if not necessary. A courtesy, not a right, but still very reasonable, IMO.