Family Talk: Is Jessica Simpson Fat?

Jessica Simpson hasn't given birth yet, but her pregnancy has already begat many headlines. Why? Well, as Joy Behar notes, she has gained weight.

Like so many other celebrities, her weight has been scrutinized before her pregnancy, during gestation, and I'm sure will continue long after she gives birth.

As a famous figure, Jessica's life is fair game for all to comment upon. I must give her a kudos for embracing all the ways that pregnancy has changed not only her life, but her body as well.

With an estimated 40 to 50 pounds of weight gain, the Huffington Post reports that "Jessica Simpson Brushes Off 'Fat' Comments."

Jessica has responded to comments by reminding fans to pick up a copy of Elle, featuring her naked and showing on the cover. Compare it with the above photograph of her not with child, if you feel so inclined.

Jessica's Tweet, "last chance to see me 'fat' aka PREGNANT on the cover of Elle," is being seen as a retort to Behar's unkind words.

I always wondered why, and how, people could and would refer to a pregnant woman as fat.

Logic dictates that if she was not "fat," she'd be skinny. It would seem from their commentary that many in the media prefer to look at slim preggos.

Not that every pregnant woman ought to necessarily gain as much as Simpson.

There are those that gain less than others. But we all know—and perhaps ought to be reminded— that weight gain is a necessary part of pregnancy, to ensure the safety and healthy growth of the fetus.

Unless things have changed since I was pregnant with my daughter, 7 years ago, a healthy amount of weight to gain is 25 to 35 pounds.

I gained 35 pounds during each pregnancy. I was asked a few times if I was expecting twins, when I was pregnant with my first child, my son. I also had someone, who knew I was pregnant, look to me and say "no offense" when making a statement of how fat someone else was. "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant, there's a difference," was the quick response she got.

When you look at someone like Jessica Simpson, who was relatively petite prior to her pregnancy, she's an easy target for critics and haters.

But why should that be accepted as part of the national conversation? Criticism over her weight shouldn't be acceptable to anyone.

As long as her doctor sees her progressing in a healthy manner, and doesn't have a problem with her weight gain, what gives the right for anyone else to chime in?

Pregnant women, no matter how big they get, are just that. Pregnant. They aren't fat; they have another human being growing inside of them.

So can we all (I'm thinking of you, Joy Behar) just agree to wait a few months after she gives birth before nitpicking at her weight?