Plus Sized Pregnant Ladies

[LoisLame]

I've had a search and there are a few previous threads in the pregnancy section about this, but thought it would be nice to have ante natal club for us generously proportioned preggos

Don't get me wrong, I'm loving my due in... club thread, but would like to talk about things like maternity clothes, water birth possibilities and epidural issues with other ladies like me.

So come and say hi, take a seat, and be ready to hold hands when the midwives start making us feel bad for something that is, for the time being, unable to be changed.

Hi Lois that's me - size 20, 33 weeks pregnant and feeling enormous.

I've found New Look and H and M both have a good stock of maternity clothes in the high street rather than online and to be honest when you're big they really are best tried on first - especially if like me you have a huge chest.

Afraid I can't enlighten you on epidurals. I'm hoping to get through without one but who knows what will actually happen. I didn't have one with either of my previous 2 thought that means nothing for this pregnancy.

I think you'll have to ask about water birth as I know different hospitals have different polices. I'm being induced (nothing to do with my weight though) so no chance for me but if you're otherwise low risk they may allow it. I think the worry is whether they would be able to lift you out of the water if they needed to in a hurry.

So far though I've not found being fat and pregnant too much of a bind but still got some weeks to go so that may change

Thanks ontheedge will check them both out. I also found a website, Bon Prix which does plus size as well as petite and tall lengths, but like you say, would rather be able to try on first.

I don't intend to have an epidural. Didn't have one with DD but laboured in the pool for pain relief. But I know intentions mean nothing when it comes to birthing!

I am fully prepared to have to argue my case for a water birth, or at least being able to labour in the pool again. Hoping that if I can keep weight gain to a minimum, blood pressure and GTT are normal that I can convince them. Have read a lot about it and most of the risk factors associated with high BMI are helped by being in water. After all, it's an accepted natural method of pain relief in labour, not a bloody spa treat for skinny women! It also helps that I already know the supervisor of midwives.

Hope your last few weeks are comfortable for you.

I'm a size 20 and managed to get through pregnancy without having too much problem with clothes. I got some t shirts from Asda but apart from them was in my normal clothes all the way through.

I had an epidural, didn't want one but as I ended up with a 4 day labour I was just so exhausted that I had it to try and let me sleep.

DD is 4 weeks tomorrow, can't believe where the time has gone

Waves to Lois and Ontheedge...

Size 20 here and 34 weeks pregnant.

Clothes, I have found next to be really good but need to order online as they don't seem to have any maternity wear. Also H&M have some good tops and you can try them on in the shop.

I'm not allowed a water birth (and haven't asked for one) partly due to BMI and partly as I also have arthritis so I can get wobbly when getting in and out of the bath. I have made adjustments to my bathroom to allow for this so don't expect a hospital water pool to be me friendly.

I do want a natural birth though but have had a horrible experience with a consultant. This consultant assumed that because of my size that I was stupid and didn't need to be involved in my own care. She actually made me shudder and speechless with anger. It makes me cry when I think about her. So she put on my notes that due to my size I have to go to the labour ward, be strapped up to a monitor and then be injected with drugs as I obviously (as I'm 'fat') won't be active after the birth. She didn't actually discuss this with me, just wrote it on my notes!

I am currently in discussion with my midwife as I would like to give birth naturally and the thought of seeing that lady again sends shivers down my spine. I also want to leave hospital asap (without bloody injections) so that I can be up and active straight away, having arthritis I know that MY body needs that.

Sorry rant over. Thank you for listening...

Jen I think anyone would want an epidural under those circumstances! And congratulations

westcountry I heard next do up to 22 but only saw 20 on the site. Will keep an eye on them. H&M is good as they do monthly payment accounts online, but the online range is not a patch on what they have in store. Lovely kids clothes though. Do not think being in water might help your arthritis during labour? You could always ask for a visit to the pool room and try getting in and out the pool? That consultant's attitude is disgusting quite frankly! Sounds like a good plan discussing things with your midwife - maybe she could put at note (or lots of notes!) about how active you plan to be. I've read a thread here a while ago about quick discharge after birth and there are lots of good stories about how women have been discharged straight from delivery suite. I'll have a look for the thread later. Just keep in mind this is your birth and everything is your choice. If they leave you stuck on a bed on trace, make sure you ask them why they are doing it, and if they don't have a good reason, and the baby's heart rate and your contractions are of no concern, know that you have the right to refuse them doing it.

meant do you think...

Just marking my spot :)

I'm 35+4 and a size 18/20ish. I read in my notes that a water birth had been counted out for me due to my BMI (36... the cut off was apparently 35). I have an appt with the midwife tomorrow. I'm going to ask about it and also epidurals etc. My consultants have been shockingly ignorant and impersonal. Not a good experience on that front!

I think that if your BMI is only 1 over you should definitely asked them to review the decision on your case as an individual. Take it to the supervisor of midwives if a water birth is something you really want. And ask for a written copy of the hospital's policy on the matter - I bet it doesn't exist!

Hello, can I join?

Am a 22/24 with a v high BMI - 45

Currently 21 weeks pregnant with second DC. Had problem free first pregnancy but ended up having EMCS under GA with DD, so waiting to find out more info to decide whether to attempt VBAC or whether to go for ELCS this time.

Had 20 week scan this week but sonographer was quite blunt about the difficulty of seeing what she needed to because of my size and they couldnt get it all done, so going back next week to try again. Was the first time in either pregnancy I was made to feel a little bit irresponsible for being this size, feel a bit rubbish about that.

On the plus side (size?!), have so far only put on 2 lbs, so new healthier lifestyle must be making an impact. Going to try hard and maintain it!

Hello madamegazelle, course you can join us. Grrr to the sonographer for you. I personally am finding myself to be a lot more defensive than normal as pregnancy is bringing up weight issues. There are some, thankfully the majority, who treat you with respect and some who treat you as the stupid fat lady. I hope you meet more of the former... How is your midwife?

Update on my consultant issue. I spoke to a different midwife who agreed that my first consultant was 'unhelpful', she knows of her and told me not to worry as she is apparently like that with everyone. So my midwife has requested for a change in consultant and I have another appointment tomorrow. I'm really happy about this as a) potentially get to change what is written in my notes and b) get to actually have a conversation with a consultant. I know my BMI puts me in a higher risk category but am hoping for an adult conversation about what I can do to ensure a healthy birth and the best of starts for my little one. If my notes on my weight are correct I've gained about four pounds in total so far and I'm 34+5, so hopefully evidence enough to the new consultant that I deserve at least a discussion....!

Fingers crossed.

Would like to mark my place please
Size 18 , 22 weeks with dc 2 (ds1)

Hi all
I'm currently 9+5 and size 18-20 BMI 33
I am dreading hospital appointments - my midwife has been lovely and has given me a healthy diet to follow (at my request) so I can try and maintain weight and not put too much on but I live in Spain and the medical staff are psychotic about over-weight pregnant ladies and about weight gain :(
A friend whose BMI must have been no more than 10 (long, sad story) was told off for gaining too much weight - they are going to slaughter me!!!
So pleased I have somewhere to come and vent when I need to xx

Hi new faces

westcountry Good to hear you're getting a new consultant. Hope the new one gives you the respect you deserve. Gaining 4lbs at 34 weeks is amazing, hoping I can do that well.

fleur they sound a bit crap in Spain! Hope you get to deal with only the nice people. I do look forward to hearing some venting if not though.

Been looking at plus size maternity jeans a bit too early still but found a site called Bon Prix that looks quite good, and does different lengths as well as plus sizes. Will def be investing after my 12 week scan.

Hooray I have found my club!

Have been feeling very depressed about being plus sized and pregnant. Am 9+1 (although a scan needs to confirm that it's not more because I had a funny little last period and so that might not have been a proper one) and size 24.

To be fair the GP and midwife have been nice but then they can't dispute that I wasn't trying to get pregnant - I had a coil (now out)!

I feel terribly guilty about being so big and pregnant - five days before I found out I'd been to the Allan Carr lose weight thing because I wanted to get to a more sensible BMI before we started trying. We also booked a holiday to Oz which we won't be going on now - oops.

Right now I'm obsessed with - how am I going to get bras bigger than my current 44D (boobs have grown so I'm stuffing them in)? Will I get stuck in the bath (have demanded that a shower gets installed - dh is not arguing)? And my biggest worry - pre-eclampsia. My blood pressure is on the high side of normal not helped by having white coat syndrome.

So glad to have found you and a place to offload. Thanks LoisLame for starting us off.

Glucose test today - I didn't think the orange liquid tasted that bad but then just wanted to throw up for the whole hour before blood test!
Thanks lois for starting this group - solidarity means happiness!
Hello wheels I share your bra related worries - my only remaining bra that fits is losing an underwire. Really don't want maternity bra mono-boob though! Maybe bravissimo have the (somewhat pricey) answer?

I went and bought new bras yesterday. Dragged DH to Evans (why are the aisles in that shop so damn narrow-think about your customers). DD went nowhere near me (suspect M&S has more generous sizing). Ended up with 46E and don't think it will end there so only bought two. Also got some linen trousers and leggings so I don't get caught out.

Ahhhh a club for people like me. I am 36 years old, pregnant with baby number 1 and I am 17 weeks pregnant.

Currently feeling absolutely fine despite feeling pissed off that i don't feel pregnant and just like I have eaten too many bacon sandwiches. I feel like the baby is growing under my fat belly and the fat is all being pushed up. I am looking forward to having a proper bump.

Have had pretty good treatment from the healthcare professionals. This is a Clomid baby so very much wanted and I just want to be treated like any other mother... although I am part of the "Mama Plus" club which means I will get extra scans.

Is anyone else using a mobile to read this thread? I have it marked as "watching". When I had a look earlier I noticed that there are two options "remove" and "bump and reset". They are next to each other and with my tired brain I read "remove bump and reset" and I have to say I thought "yep, sometimes, when I'm feeling nauseated, dead tired and my boobs hurt, I do want to remove bump and reset"

Omg I'm joining every club there is on here lmao! Age 34, fluctuate between sizes 16 and 18, though I have been size 22 in the past.

I could do with losing 2-3 stone according to my doctor but my blood pressure is ok. I have a scan and a blood test next week, no idea what the blood test is, maybe for diabetes???

Went on a day out today and looked ENORMOUS in the photos next to my non-pregnant petite friend :( Not a happy day in the mrsfleur household!

Hello shimmy :)
Blood test could be lots of things, depends how far along you are! I had one at 8 weeks and they also take blood after your glucose test (10 ish weeks) nowt to worry about x

Hello, has anyone started doing any gentle exercising? I walk a bit but am thinking that I should try and do something else.

I've done a bit of walking but it's so hot! Planning on some decorating next weekend which I think will count.

Hullo I'm 36 and 15 weeks pregnant with DC 4. I'm a size 20 and have a very high BMI.

I went today to a 'Healthy Eating Class for pregnant porkers' at the hospital, it was fine but really didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I actually feel really ashamed of myself, my eating has been totally out of control lately and I really need to get a grip. It shouldn't take being pregnant to give me the wake up call but unfortunately that's the way it is. I'm determined to cut out the crap and sort my portion sizes out - it's just not fair on my kids to have a seriously obese mother.

Thanks whoever mentioned H&M, I really need some new mat stuff and hadn't even thought of them - a trip at the weekend beckons.

Hello....not sure if I'm too late to join in this chat...hope not as it's nice to see real women with real curves....(not perfect size 12's) discussing things I'm also struggling with.
I'm 5'8" and size 20....31 weeks pregnant.
I gave up on maternity jeans...tried new look and mamas and papas...maybe I bought the wrong size but not comfortable at all. I now live in maternity leggings...£3 ones from eBay....they won't last forever but certainly are the most comfortable clothes I own.
Hope your still out there to chat to???