First time pregnancy - plus size lady!!

[Sammi1986]

Hello all,
I have just found out that I am pregnant! I went to my GP who calculated my due date as 23/04/14 so I am very early, 4 weeks today!
I have no idea where to start really. I am absolutely terrified as I am very overweight (loss of 3 stone and counting!) but I was just wondering what other mums experiences are?
Thanks in advance xx

Hey.
Firstly congrats on your pregnancy.
I was about 2 stone overweight (BMI 32) when I found out I was pregnant. I haven't had any issues due to weight but did have to have a diabetes test.
Other than that no different to anyone else's pregnancy. I have just watched what I eat and at 26 weeks I have only put on around 8lbs. I was just told because I am starting off heavier its best to try and not put on too much.
Try not to worry and let it ruin your pregnancy. Xx

Thank you for your response, I am new to all of this (obviously!) and I think because I haven't really told anyone yet I feel I dont have anyone to talk to.
The GP has been great and same as you have recommended I don't put on much weight. Oh and I have been put on high strength folic acid. I was also told I could take vitamin D, but i've not heard of taking that in pregnancy before! xxx

I was a size 20+ with all 3 dc - I'd nasty (kidney) complications but nothing to do with my weight, in fact my bp was normal all the time and my GTT (only in last pg) was normal too.

I had bad morning sickness each time and was almost exactly the same weight at term as at conception each time.

There are things they'll keep an eye on but if you take care of yourself and stay fit, plus-size pregnancy isn't much worse than any other pregnancy.

Hi Sammi,

I'm a first time overweight mum & so far I have had a very positive experience. I too lost 3 stones in the 18 months prior to getting pregnant (we struggled to conceive for years & I think this helped) & the first thing I did once finding out I was expecting was google overweight & pregnant & scared the hell out of myself! I read lots of horror stories about how overweight ladies had been made to feel terrible about their weight & was really worried about the treatment I would receive.

Yes my weight has been mentioned a number of times by the health professionals I have encountered but they were are very polite & respectful about it. I'm very aware of my weight & know the health risks involved & have tried my best to change my circumstances so I would tell this to anyone who tried to be funny with me! I have been watching what I eat & have managed only to gain just over 2lbs between my 12 week scan & my 24 week midwife appointment. I'm now 26+5 and have never actually felt any better in my adult life than I have since I fell pregnant. My dr seems to think if I carry on following a healthy diet, I'll end up weighing less when my little one is born than I did before conception! To be clear - I'm not dieting in anyway, just making sure I eat a well balanced, healthy diet.

I was tested for gestational diabetes at 16 weeks due to my and my family's medical history & I do have diabetes - I manage this through diet & so far have been able to keep my sugar levels in the normal range. My baby is developing normally & if I manage to keep on top of things, she'll be a healthy weight, delivered around her due date.

I do worry about the birth, especially if I have to have a c-section - we haven't spoken much about this yet so I'm assuming I'll get more info at my next appointment. One positive thing is that my pregnancy is being consultant lead, meaning I get a lot more contact with the drs and due to the diabetes, I have a scan every 4 weeks. I'm a bit of a worrier & have found that this extra contact has enabled me to keep calm.

Sorry for the long post - I think what I am trying to say (very long-windedly!) is that being overweight & pregnant doesn't necessarily have to be a negative experience. Personally for me, it's not ideal, I'd rather have been at a healthier weight but have battled with my weight all my adult life & in losing 3 stone, I had done my best to be as healthy as I could. I'm grateful to be pregnant after years of trying & will do anything the professionals advise me to do to ensure that my little one has a safe arrival & a good start to life.

I wish you lots of luck & hope you have a really positive experience too! Well done on your weight loss & make sure you take care of yourself & your little one xxx

P.S at almost 27 weeks, I'm starting to really look pregnant than just overweight & it's great walking around not having to try to pull my stomach in! Haha xx

That's a relief, thank you ladies! I have joined the local swimming centre to keep active, and I was mindful of my GI intake before I was pregnant.

I really appreciate your responses, it's reassuring xxx

LOL Quokka thank you, and you made me giggle! Congratulations to you too. I am sure you and your baby bump are very beautiful! I must admit, I'm really worried one of my well meaning friends will say "Cor you're putting weight back on!" lol xx

Hi I was too overweight and had to have the diabetes test (very boring and I was starving which was not good for a pregnant lady) I had terrible sickness all day everyday so I actually lost weight whilst pregnant but put it all back on when baby came. I didn't show until very late in the pregnancy and the only real issue I had was difficulties breathing but that might have happened whether I was overweight or not because baby was lying high 😊

Congratulations to you! Try not to fret and as someone said before, don't google it! It'll fill you with dread!

With my 1st, my DS, I was consultant care led as I had a BMI over 35. Nothing much different, just got weighed a bit more at appointments and had to have Gestational Diabetes test. I also had to have an appointment with the anaesthesiologist, as they wanted to check what my back was like for the epidural. In all honesty she was a cow, very rude but other than her, no problems what so ever. All midwives lovely and supportive and gave birth to a healthy boy with no complications. I did gain a lot in that pregnancy which I freaked out about but turned out I had a very long baby in there and I also seemed to retain mountains of water, which I sweated off about 2.5st at night in the weeks following the birth. You want to be as healthy as possible in pregnancy no matter what your starting weight is, so just enjoy your pregnancy and take care of yourself. It'll fly by.

Swimming and aqua-natal classes are a great way to keep active in the pregnancy but my midwife warned me in later pregnancy not to do the legs part of breast stroke. Not great on the pelvis apparently.

I'm overweight by a good few stone and pregnancy so far has been a breeze! Baby is perfectly healthy as am I and not a single person I've seen has said anything about it. I'm under consultant care for other reasons not related to my weight so am being monitored much more closely anyway but my weight really does seem to be the last thing they are worried about.

Any in my defence, my boobs on their own weigh 2 stone (currently wearing a K cup bra!) , if I didn't have them I would be a hell of a lot closer to a healthy weight!

Have any of you ladies had joint pain? I have a slipped disc, arthritis of the spine, and painful joints. I have gone from needing painkillers every 4 hours 24/7 (tramadol, codiene & NSAIDS) and using a walking stick, to only taking co-codamol once-twice a week and walking on my own! It took me a couple of years to get my body physically up to this but I am frightened of it returning with the bump!

I had spd (symphasis pubis dysfunction) but it wasn't related to my weight which is why I didn't mention it in earlier post.it was helped with painkillers,physio,crutches and a support band.in my first pregnancy it disappeared the second ds1 arrived but I am still suffering with the pain now after ds2 10 weeks on.

I would suggest getting an appointment with your gp and discussing your concerns.

GP is aware and fully supportive, I'm just a worrier!

Hi sammi I'm only 5 ft 2 and I'm about 12 and half stone. So about 3 stone over weight. I'm only 5 weeks and my first child. I have typical bad eating habits no excuse other than busy life and I don't eat right I skip breakfast eat quite healthy at dinner time then eat takeaways to much. I've decided to not eat a single takeaway and I went shopping bought whole grain foods fruit and veg and like you I plan to go swimming. I no most women put weight on whilst preg but a few friends told me they only put so much weight on because they used the eating for two card. My weight is something that bothers me but I don't plan to diet when preg I have just changed my lifestyle. Small changes like walking a little extra a day and cutting out bad things and swapping for fruit will all help. Even if you put a little weight on you will feel more healthy.

CONGRATULATIONS too :) xx

I know you are worried but don't worry too much (I know easily said than done) you will have plenty of support from your midwife and gp and consultant if you are under consultant care.i know its hard to do but just take things easy dont do anything you don't have to do and rest as much as possible and if u have any worries or don't feel like something is right contact your midwife or gp straight away.good luck you will be just fine and a great mum I'm sure x

Thanks Sarah, and congratulations to you too! I was already on a low GI plan so lots of whole wheat rather than white and swooping veg about so I thing ill just keep going with that, as long as Bean is healthy I don't care what I have to eat! Xx

Hi Sammi congratulations!

I am overweight, not sure what my bmi is but in the obese category :-( I lost 2 stones following weight watchers for my wedding in April but have since put 1 back on (prob more now - darent look!) I wear a 14 top/16 bottom usually but I am now in 16/18 and 18 trousers/jeans getting tigher with the bloat :-(

I eat healthy things by planning but I have noticed that my portions are creeping up and also I have a real sweet tooth for pick n mix and we have had a few takeaways... I am really trying to get a handle on my diet as I don't want to undo my good work of last year too badly!

I jog 3 times a week and swim 2 times... just really trying but argh!

I have a friend who had a baby 4 years ago and she was around a size 30. she was monitored and she also developed GD and the end result was a healthy baby and a weight loss as she had to be so strict!

Well done on your 3 stone also - such a fantastic loss!

congrats!

I had a BMI of 36 when I had my booking appointment - midwife was lovely. although I have had several other HCP's read me the riot act, the worst being my first consultant appointment when they gave me a complete list of everything that could possibly go wrong due to my weight.

I was released from consultant led care and now back to midwives care, with an open invitation to go back if needed.

I haven't actively managed my weight, but I have listened to what my body told me I needed - one week that would be steak and oranges, the next salad and cheese (loads of cheese!) and I had put on just a stone when I was released from consultant led care.

However, I've been lucky and have had a good pregnancy (just waiting for an appearance of a baby now 40+ 3).

Wishing you a good pregnancy and remember to listen to what they tell you, but don't necessarily take it to heart - which is difficult when you're all hormonal.

Oh and if they tell you that you could have a megalomaniac baby, just remember it's just your pregnancy brain mixing up the words and what they actually mean is macrosomic!!

hi, I saw an episode of 'one born' last night I think that had a larger lady on it. she was fine all through pregnancy and birth (husband was a wet lettuce tho!)

it might make you feel positive to see it?

congrats on your pregnancy its soooo exciting!

I am overweight, Bmi of 35 and a size 16/18 pre pregnancy. I am now 29 weeks pregnant and have so far had a fairly easy textbook pregnancy so my weight hasent effected the pregnancy at all. I had to have a glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks to check for gestational diabetes but had the all clear. Anyone can get GD though, not just overweight women.

I love being pregnant and for once actually dressing to show my tummy odd rather than hide it!!!

eeek just had my first midwife appointment and BMI was 35 Ive put 2.5 stones on since my wedding 4 months ago - disgusted.com

Im going to follow weight watchers to stop myself piling much more on or god knows what I will be in 9 months at this rate!

Hello ladies, sorry I haven't been on to reply, it's been so hectic and I feel tired constantly lol.

Thank you for all the congrats, but more so for the reassurance. I have found that an anxious Sammi and google don't go we'll together!

I'm dreading being weighed. Do you think they'll let me skip that part?! ;) xxx

with my first daughter , i weighed just over 30 stone :O , i was told i was too fat to get pregnant , when i started to get symptoms it was diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome , i only found out i was pregnant when i was 4cm dilated and in full labour :) i was pre diabetic and suffered with high blood pressure , i had a completely normal birth , just gas and air and got on with it like us women do :) had a beautiful perfectly healthy 7 pound baby girl who is almost 10 now and amazing :)

This pregnancy i have now , ive lost almost 9 stone , and im diabetic :) still also have the dreaded high blood pressure , everything is going great so far and im very calm and relaxed :) plus size ladies can have normal births , just take what they say as a worst case scenario :) good luck :)

Hi Lou, thank you for your response. It means a lot to know so many women have had healthy babies and a straightforward birth. BUT wow!!! You have seriously outdone yourself! Not much chance to get your head round that one! What did daddy think?!

hehe we were both in shocked , we had wanted a baby since we got married , but after being told i was too fat to get pregnant , we kind of thought it would ever happen :) it was very scary , but i just got on with it :)
when we got to the hospital there was 9 doctors/consultants stood around lines going in , questions tests and all at a very rapid pace :)

im finding this time around with consultant led care , they always seem to tell you all the bad things that can happen , but never tell you about the 2000 that went fine :) please dont worry yourself hun , enjoy . relax . and dont read the internet until after baby is born :)