I would like to see some statistics on this. Seems like a leap. Having babies does not make one fat. Eating too much and not burning off the calories makes one fat.
Middle age women have a heck of a time losing weight. Metabolism slows down but not appetite. When they get old, they shed fat and muscle and apetite contracts. So, maybe we should be patient.
Well there is some truth to it. If you already have the pounds on, how many women are not having more babies because they have this insane need to lose the weight immediately? I have gained weight since being a mother and there got a point where I was like that and then I finally decided that I would forget anything but very moderate weight loss strategies until I was done having children because it was very tiresome to think of losing 60lbs only to gain it back again being pregnant and those initial months when there is no time for exercise(I have 3 children, there is not a spare moment--you can walk with the children, but you don't get any real good heart pumping walking action in with a 4 and 6 yr old in tow and unfortunately I am the type that needs to put in a good 2 hours of vigorous exercise to lose a thing--probably due to my thyroid condition it is so difficult). So now, I am happy how I am and will be like this until I am done having children. I have two strikes against me too--I am dealing with a thyroid problem that may need permanent correction so that is something else I am waiting to do until after I am done with children as well. Until that happens, I may keep a good percentage of my pounds.
My point is I understand why women might refrain from having more children with a fear that they will gain it back. You may not believe it, but I have heard it come out of the mouths of women time and again that they don't want to get pregnant again and gain all the weight back they lost. If it wasn't for that, they'd have a couple more children.
YOu really have to choose when you are already overweight--I have chosen to remain this way for the most part and then address it more vigorously when I am done having children and that isn't an endless excuse--I am 34 and don't want to go having children much beyond 36 so it will be something I will deal with more vigorously in short order. My time is winding down on the childbearing front and I am actually looking forward to thinking of myself more in regards to health now since I've put in so many years dedicated to the children. I think this is a much more positive and likely successful approach than trying to lose 30 or 40 lbs here and there between kids or stopping my family at 1 child so I can try to look like a teenager again. I think I'm more likely to succeed knowing there will not be anymore pregnancy events that will stall my weight loss efforts.