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Pregnancy

Overweight or plus size and pregnant

214 replies

eskimod · 29/07/2019 22:08

Hello! I'm starting a thread where us plus size girls can talk pregnancy!
I've noticed you rarely see a plus size bump etc.

My journey started 2 months ago. My OH and I have been busy working etc etc and realised we're nearly 30 (I'm 29 and he's 28). I have a few friends trying for a baby and struggling (not plus size, one older, one younger) so we got concerned that our weight and age would make things difficult (I'm 5"5, size 16 and 14 stone, BMI 33).

So, after years of telling everyone I didn't want kids, I wanted to get married first (we've been together 10 and a half years, getting married July 2020), were not ready yet etc... we decided to see how it went.

I started using apps and ovulation tests and we had sex st the right times but cycle 1 was not successful. I think I got a bit too obsessed.
Month two, I did the same but I was more relaxed about it. Then I got cramps and could feel my period coming, I was a bit gutted but tried not to get too down. BUT, AF didn't arrive... I took a test and it was a BFP!

I'm currently 5w4d by my calculations. Due 29th March 2020. I rang for an appointment and was given one for 29th August- I'll be 10 weeks by then! The lady on the self referral line said I need to take more folic acid because of my weight. I'm waiting for a prescription because you can only have it prescribed. I'm taking 4mg (rather than 5) and hoping this will be okay?!!

I've been reading online and can see there's some scare mongering for larger pregnant ladies bit I've also read that most plus sized women have healthy pregnancies.
Let's offer each other support and advise Smile

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Islandermum · 29/07/2019 23:17

Hello @eskimod!! Looks like we are EDD twins, congratulations!
I had no idea about higher dose of folic acid for high BMI pregnancies but I'll have to call up my GP for some advice!
Similarly to you, I managed to conceive first cycle so was pretty chuffed with that considering people say how BMI can impact your chances (you always assume the worst!)

I'd actually been getting into my exercise more before my BFP so trying to maintain it. Only managed to do 10 minutes of a 20 min pregnancy aerobic YouTube video so it isn't going great. I also want to eat everything I see... 😂

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Keyboard91 · 30/07/2019 07:28

Hi, similar DD here too, 26th March

Conceived straight away in January, but miscarried at 6 weeks. Had a chemical in April, but so far so good this time(!) 🤞🤞🤞

I have been taking the 5mg folic acid since we started TTC just in case as I am plus size with a neurological condition so taking no chances! You may also be asked to take a baby aspirin from week 12 to help with pre-eclampsia.

Also be prepared for them to dictate you having the baby in a hospital as you probably won’t be allowed in a midwife led unit and it will limit options like water births etc. This upset my friend quite a lot!

But us plus size women can and do have babies all the time 🙂 I just wish the bloat didn’t make me look like I’d gone mad with the pies - have lost 3lbs since we found out and I look bigger now 🙈

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Jowd92 · 30/07/2019 08:47

I'm a plus size girl a size 16/18 currently pregnant with baby number 4! I have a 10 year old 7 year old and an 11 month old and currently 18 weeks and 2 days into this pregnancy I also had to take the 5mg folic acid due to high BMI, I wouldny always believe what you read each pregnancy is different and it doesn't make no difference really because of size I've always had generally good pregnancies a few hiccups but nothing major just relax and enjoy growing your baby also dont listen when they say bigger girls dont get bumps because you do I've always had lovely round bumps didnt just look larger Smile

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sprite25 · 30/07/2019 09:08

Can I join please, I'm currently 7 weeks and am off to have a viability scan today due to past ectopic and MC. I've got a 5Yr old DD and a nearly 2 Yr old DS, who was 9lb at birth. I put on ALOT of weight with him and haven't really managed to shift it when I found out I was pregnant again. I'm a size 16/18 and worried about how much weight I'm going to put on in this pregnancy, especially as I've got horrible nausea and can only cope with eating/drinking certain things.

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clottedcreamoverjam · 30/07/2019 09:28

I wasn't overweight during my first pregnancy but I am not.
I was trying not to put a lot of weight on this time but failing 😬

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coffeeandgin26 · 30/07/2019 09:36

I'm 34 weeks with baby number four and am a size 22. All four of my pregnancies have been when I'm bigger and three out of four of them were straightforward. This one has been until the last couple of weeks she. I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes - possibly caused by my own weight (but I was clear of it with the other three) but I also have a parent with diabetes so was at risk anyway. I have a lovely bump though! I'm obviously under a consultant because of my GD.

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 10:05

Welcome everyone! I'm so glad we can share our similar stories and experiences. I'm not telling anyone about my pregnancy yet so it's great that I can have someone to talk to!

Yay I have a due date sister! We should stay in touch and talk about how we are both getting on!

I was so worried at first, was thinking that I'd made a huge mistake getting pregnant at my size. I read lots of things that scared me, thought I'd put myself and my baby at risk. I felt guilty. But then I read more and found that most heavier women have a perfectly normal pregnancy.

I decided to just be as healthy as possible from now. I've started eating well, trying to get active by walking, cleaning etc. That's all I can do. I've lost two pounds so far and although I'm not really trying to lose weight, this is a step in the right direction.

I am worried about putting even more weight on during pregnancy, especially because im due to get married a few months after the baby is born. I'm just going to try to be careful about what I eat. That's the only thing I can do 🤞🏻

My dad had diabetes so I think I'll be at higher risk 😞 again, partly my fault for being this size though. I'll just try to be healthy and cut down on sugars etc. I always wanted to give birth at the maternity hospital which is right across the road from the main hospital. I was considering asking for a water birth but if it's not safe, so be it.

I hope I do get a move baby bump, I'm expecting a B bump though. I'm also expecting to start showing much later because of my weight. Although I've also read articles that say big girls do still get bumps and D bellies.

I hope we all have smooth, healthy pregnancies. Please keep me updated! Xx

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VapeVamp12 · 30/07/2019 10:22

Hi everyone! I am due 30th November and currently a size 20. I already had my 20 week scan and having a boy.

I was worried about my weight too but like some others here I got pregnant almost straight away!

I have had one consultant appointment so far and she spoke about additional risks etc. All the people in the NHS I have seen so far have been great and supportive. Scans have all been straight forward and no issues as yet. I feel very lucky to be having an easy pregnancy because I was quite scared when I got my BFP.

I can definitely feel my bump when I lay down but I carry a lot of weight around my tummy so it's not really obvious i'm pregnant at the moment.

So far I've put on 4 pounds and hoping to really limit it. Mifwife said I should aim for no more than 11kg gain (24 pounds, just under two stone).

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VapeVamp12 · 30/07/2019 10:24

I took folic acid prescribed by the GP from about 5 weeks and stopped at 16 weeks and I also take 75mg of aspirin as recommended by my MW.

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 10:30

@VapeVamp12 did you take 5mg from 5 weeks?
I've been taking 4mg since TTC but this isn't sought because of my weight.
I'm waiting to get my prescription.
So you think I'll be safe only taking 4mg until I get my prescription?

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scratchbass · 30/07/2019 10:43

If it's making you worried you could just buy folic acid in a shop to make up the difference until your prescription comes through?

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VapeVamp12 · 30/07/2019 10:49

I went to the GP within a week of finding out I was pregnant (about 5 weeks gone) because I am on anti-depressants and wanted to check with her if I was okay to keep taking them. she prescribed me three months worth of the 5mg folic acid and I took them until I ran out. So was taking them about 12 weeks in total.

As scratchbass says I'd just buy more from the pharmacist to make up the shortfall until you can get a prescription - when do you think you'll be able to get one? I think you'll be okay - I wasn't taking any when TTC.

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LemonadeAndSchnapps · 30/07/2019 10:55

Just to put your mind at rest, I wasnt prescribed the 5mg until 9 weeks, and my midwife specifically said it will all be fine and not to worry that I haven't been taking enough, as long as your diet is balanced :)

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 11:21

@scratchbass @VapeVamp12 I am already taking 4mg as that is all you can buy from the shop. You can't buy 5mg. And you can't buy the 1mg to make up the difference. Not sure
It would be safe to take two 4mg tablets would it?
I should only be waiting a couple more days now

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 11:22

@LemonadeAndSchnapps thanks, yeah that makes me feel better. I guess 4mg is better than nothing and it's only 1mg less...

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Nadeshka · 30/07/2019 15:05

So I was about the same size/weight/age as you and also conceived quicker than expected, despite also having PCOS.
Extra folic acid was never mentioned to me, and actually my weight wasn't that big a deal and didn't affect my pregnancy much. It wasn't mentioned at all by the midwives. I remained active throughout and tried to eat as healthy as possible, to minimise weight gain.
I didn't show obviously till about 6 months, but I did get a neat bump for third trimester. Most probably because she wasn't a huge baby.
I was sent for testing for gestational diabetes, but otherwise I had no difference in my care. Nothing was ruled out for the birth, and I was allowed (though in the end didn't) to use the pool and be in midwife led care.
I think any restrictions would be dependent on your local policies and if you have any other complications or risk factors.
I now have a three month old asleep on me Smile
Best of luck!

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 15:46

@Nadeshka Thanks, that's very reassuring, thank you for sharing your experience 😊 I do tend to overthink things sometimes but people have been very reassuring x

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TheCatInAHat · 30/07/2019 16:22

Just a note regarding the folic acid- the recommendation for overweight women is that they take 5mg daily compared to the standard 400mcg. 5mg is a much stronger dose than 400mcg (12.5 times stronger). The unit the dose is measured in is important here- 1mg is equivalent to 1000mcg in the same way that 1 kilometre is equivalent to 1000 metres.

In order to get a 5mg daily dose from 400mcg tablets you would need to take 12.5 of them.

Sorry to jump in- I just clicked on the thread and saw this had come up and as a pharmacist thought I’d point out the misunderstanding in case it’s helpful.

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mrsed1987 · 30/07/2019 16:25

Just wanted to say i was 14 stone and had a perfect pregnancy and now have a 6 month old little boy x

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DancingUnicorn1 · 30/07/2019 16:35

I'm of a similar weight and height (slightly shorter and heavier!) to OP and conceived after just 1 night.
I never got around to taking folic acid and all scans indicate no issues, I was recommended aspirin too and haven't took that. I'm not recommending it to others, but try not to worry if you haven't.

I didn't have a defined bump until around 22 weeks but I definitely have one now at 31! I lost 12lbs over the first trimester and I'm still 2lbs off my pre-pregnancy weight with an estimated 4lb baby in there so you won't put too much on if you're careful.

I have to meet the consultant but midwives said my weight shouldn't stop me from having a water birth as long as there's no further complications. I had the glucose test and it all came back fine.

I honestly think the nhs scare overweight mums far more than needed!

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 16:52

@TheCatInAHat OMG! I've totally got that wrong 🤦🏼‍♀️ thanks for clearing that up!

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 16:57

@mrsed1987 @DancingUnicorn1
Thanks!
This is my first pregnancy so I'm worrying! It's nice to hear from people in a similar situation and know that they've had a healthy pregnancy. Smile

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mrsed1987 · 30/07/2019 17:32

Oh and i had a water birth!

I didnt have any extra appointments either.

I do think until nearer the end i just looked fatter rather than pregnant lol x

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eskimod · 30/07/2019 17:38

@mrsed1987 I'd love a water birth but it all depends on whether I can handle it without an epidural!

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mrsed1987 · 30/07/2019 21:58

I didnt even have gas and air! The adrenaline must have kept me going lol x

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