Overweight and Pregnant

[weddingseason]

Am about 7 weeks pregnant with number 3 but dreading my first MW appointment because I'm at least 3 stone overweight with a BMI that borders on obese.

Am really trying to get a grip and eat healthily so that I don't gain masses this time round but can anyone else who has been in this situation share their story with me as to whether it is possible to keep the weight gain down/how you were treated by midwives and what problems you faced in pregnancy as a result of your weight.

Many Thanks

My MWs have never been bothered really. You may need a glucose tolerance test GTT as it is a risk factor for diabetes but other than that IME they don't make a big deal of it.

My midwife wasn't bothered, said that the time to worry about it was after I'd had the baby.

I have tried not to overeat while I've been pregnant, and at 36 weeks I've only put on 9lbs so I will be considerably lighter a couple of weeks post birth than I was when I got pregnant!

I have developed gestational diabetes this pregnancy, but I've been able to control it entirely with diet, no medication, and the baby isn't growing huge which is the main concern.

You will be fine :)

I put on 5 stone during my pregnancy which took me well into the obese range. I'm actually furious with my MW and GP for dismissing my concerns at how much I was eating and How much weight I was putting on. I still have 2 stone to lose and am at the top of the BMI overweight range.

You should definitely be concerned, because obesity is a real risk factor in pregnancy - but don't expect any help from your HCPs unless you actually develop gestational diabetes or something.

My suggestion - what I'm going to do next time - is rigorous calorie counting based on a healthy balanced diet. They say that you shouldn't need to increase your calorie intake - 2000 per day for women - until the last trimester, when you only need to eat an additional 300 calories a day.

Obviously if not eating makes you vomit, you might need to find foods you can fill up on that hopefully aren't too unhealthy for a bit. But good luck - and really good luck finding any bloody support.

I'm V V V overweight!
I've refused to be weighed by the midwives. I have a fairly good idea of what I actually do/did weigh, and can do without the added pressure of them putting a number on it. Where I live they all seem very "bothered" about weight. My midwife nearly fainted when she realised I had very normal blood pressure. She was convinced it was going to be sky-high.

I've used pregnancy as the reason to sort myself out a bit. Stopping all the unhealthy crap and eating smaller healthier meals and snacks.

I don't know how much I have lost. TBH, I'm not interested in the numbers. BUT....The water retention I've had in my legs for the last few years has gone in one leg, and almost gone in the other. I'm about 22 weeks now and still wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans, in fact I can get them on and off without undoing the button.

I've always been big, and never had any problems, but now I'm old as well, so anything I can do to make the pregnancy better/safer is good!

Good luck. Weight gain in pregnancy isn't compulsory. Eat enough good food to nourish you and the baby and leave the crisps and biscuits in the supermarket.

I second the excellent advice given here by previous posters. MWs won't be bothered about your weight but you should only be concerned with your own health and your baby's health. Pregnancy is an excellent excuse to sort out those eating habits and start looking after yourself.

Hmm I had mixed responses,with my first my midwife was surprised that I fell into the obese category, I was sent to see a consultant, then returned to midwife care (did have a gtt though, which was negative).

With my second, I had had a c-section so was already monitored(also had a gtt test which was negative), with my third I had obviously already had 2 sections. I had gestational diabetes with him and lost lots of weight.

If you fall into whatever category they use, you will be sent to see a consultant, very likely they will find no problem and put you back under midwife care.

Because you are overweight they will probably send you for a glucose tolerance test around 28 weeks. This was negative for me with the first 2 children, then positive for the third.

i'm about 6 st over weight. was 5 st when pg with ds. i had to see the consultant (about 3-4 times during pregnancy) had an extra scan or two (can't remember now) last pg i was on slimming world and stayed the same throughout 1st trimester unfortunately m/c'd so don't know if i'd have managed to stay the same/lose throughout later pregnancy and planning to try this time though. good luck. When i went to m/w last pg she didn't seem to worried about it though.

• 5st over weight that is.

My bmi puts me firmly in the obese category but my midwife never really said much to be honest. I have been scheduled to go
For an anaesthetic review at 32 weeks to make sure I'd be ok for an epidural if I want one but that's also partly due to surgery I've had in that area not just my weight.

I've actually lost weight since first finding out I was pregnant and at 22 weeks I'm 8lb lighter than I was. Alot of that was due to not being able to eat the same size portions I used to and the fact that I've been craving lots of fruit and veg rather than sweet crap.

I really wouldn't worry too much if I was you.

Hi,

I was v overweight when got pregnant (bmi 32)had started to lose but became pregnant far quicker than I had expected. When I spoke to midwife she said that they really don't worry unless your bmi is over 35 or if you have other health issues. They tested my blood pressure and blood sugar levels, both of which were fine.

I am now 35+1 and have had no health issues at all, I didn't even have much morning sickness. Was never offered GTT. Everything so far suggests that all is well and as it should be with baby. I have put on 2 stone which seems fairly average, I think your body is pretty good at knowing what it needs.

Totally agree with Clarabella in that I really wouldn't worry too much. TBH it probably is more harmful for you to get yourself anxious about things than being overweight.

Good Luck and Congratulations.

I had a BMI of 48 when I got pregnant when I was trying to loose weight.

I am consultant lead care but that is due to my liver condition and no mention of my weight at all, I have had a GTT but diabeties in the family so expected that and also having an anaesthetic review at 32 weeksbut again because of my other complications. I have actually had low blood pressure for most of it.

Being pregnant has really given me the want to eat healthy and do my best for both of us now and as others have said weight gain in pregnancy isn't compulsory. I have just 'gone off' the unhealthy food and now at 29 wees just over 4st lighter than I was when I got pregnant, I am not starving myself just eating what I need rather than all the crap and what ever I wanted like before.

I hope you find your MW to be supportive and they are there to help you so dont be affraid to tell them what you need, our practice nurse sees me as I need a regular contact to keep on track.

Good luck, congratulations and keep in touch x

Thanks so much for all your messages - am feeling a lot more positive and motivated now. Hopefully when this exhaustion lifts I can get a bit more active too although with two toddlers I don't exactly get much time to be idle!

Good luck to all the pregnant ladies!

Hi! Firstly you will be fine! I am in the same boat as you - although I am probably more 4 stone overweight! Dont know why think its to do with PCOS as I dont actually seem to have time to sit and eat (when not pregnant!). I am now 24 weeks with my second, I lost 2 and half stone since being pregnant - not through trying just by throwing up morning noon and night! (A man named it morning sickness to lull us into a false sense of security!) I have just started to gain weight now - about 4lbs but am trying to eat healthily - am having cravings for salads and grapes which helps. the main thing is that when you are pregnant you have to go with what your body wants within reason. Your MW should be supportive and not be stressing you out - most of them are fine! I am still taking gentle exercise - walking down the beach with my DS and trying to wear him out. Try to eat healthily if you can, and with 2 toddlers the exercise probably takes care of itself! Try to relax and not worry yourself. Above all - good luck!