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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

High BMI (over 40) before conception. Have you had problems in pregnancy?

26 replies

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 13:55

It's very early days for me (4w+2).

However I just wanted to see if there any others out there with a really high BMI?

Obviously it'd have been preferable for me to be a healthy weight before getting pregnant but we are where we are.

I've lost some weight recently ( which probably helped me conceive). I have an underactive thyroid, so have a doctors appointment this week.

I want to ask him for a higher folic acid dose and to review my thyroid medication.

I am scared he's going to tell me off! Can anyone let know how you've been treated and if you've been scalded?

I know I'll probably be referred for consultant care and will need to have the GD test. But I dont know what else might happen that I haven't thought of.

Grateful to anyone who can help.

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Nesswalk · 20/10/2013 14:08

I'm currently 11+3 weeks pregnant, get first scan next Friday. I had bmi of 40 when conceived. Like you I would have preferred to have been a healthier weight but trying to make to the best of. So far I have seen the gp and midwife, neither made comment about my weight other than to say I will see the consultant at 18 weeks. But then I have other health conditions (non weight related) which would require consultant care also.

My gp was lovely and excited for us and never said anything negative, could you go to a gp who you have a good relationship with? That would make things easier.

Hope all goes well and congratulations. Xx

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 14:20

Thanks for replying.

Unfortunately I moved only a few months ago, so don't have a relationship with my gp yet (to be fair I didn't have one with my last doctor either as they were based in inner London and super rude! )

OP posts:

sanityisamyth · 20/10/2013 14:33

My BMI is high (38) and I'm now 29+4 weeks. Had absolutely no problems at all - no morning sicknes, cravings and GTT came back clear. Had a lot of pelvic pain but I have stupid joints.

LadyMedea · 20/10/2013 18:22

There was a one born every minute special on bigger mums. It's still in 4OD so it might be worth giving it a watch.

Having a higher BMI raises your risks of complications in pregnancy and labour but it doesn't mean you won't have an entirely normal time either!

The main message I took away from the OBEM was the importance of not gaining any weight at all during pregnancy if you have a higher BMI. So if you've been losing weight stick to the same healthy eating principles and you should help yourself have a healthy pregnancy.

Congratulations!

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 18:25

Thanks for the replies.

I've got that recorded, so I'll definitely watch it soon.

Im still with slimming old at the moment, and I know they allow you to stay during pregnancy. So hopefully that'll help me maintain my weight.

OP posts:

MrsCharlieD · 20/10/2013 19:11

Hi jaykay987 I am in exactly the same situation as you! I have a bmi over 40, was on SW to lose weight to TTC and out of the blue I'm pregnant. I'm about 6 weeks right now, glad to know I'm not alone. Congratulations on your pregnancy, wishing you a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby x x

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 19:12

Thanks mrsc. Are you planning on staying on SW?

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Sammi1986 · 20/10/2013 19:17

13+4 and no problems yet! (Fingers crossed) I was on a high dose of frolic acid and vitamin d, and now on a low dose aspirin.
I explained my fears to my MW about attitudes and health and she was great. Said I was healthier than some of her skinny mums!

peachactiviaminge · 20/10/2013 19:25

No problems at all except acid reflux! Slightly low blood pressure, no water retention in fact my midwife constantly said what a good patient I was even lost weight. 9lb 1. baby but no GD. You will be made to do the 12 hour fast GD test though.

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 19:28

I think I was more worried about opinions of healthcare staff than my health in general.

I've had a mixed bag in the past of different attitudes from nurses and doctors. I guess that's currently my biggest fear!

To be clear, I am overweight, but Im a size 16-18 so never really consider myself obese. However hats the label given! Guess I just have to put up with that!

OP posts:

Sammi1986 · 20/10/2013 19:32

I've not seen the consultant yet and really worried about attitude, but I am a lot bigger than you :/

MrsCharlieD · 20/10/2013 19:51

Hi jaykay, yes I'm going to keep up with slimming world. I've lost 3 stone so I want to continue and be as healthy as possible.

Sammi1986 - I'm worried about healthcare professionals too and being treated like some kind of science experiment :-(

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 19:53

Sammi - Im a short arse.....so you could add 6-8 sizes to my my size and then that's what I can look like!

I hope you guys have good experiences with your consultants. When is your first consultant appointment?

OP posts:

Dolallytats · 20/10/2013 19:55

I had a BMI of 38 when I was pregnant with DC3. I had to see a consultant because of this and he was really lovely. He didn't judge or moan or treat me in a horrible way. He spoke about healthy eating, but this ended up being a chat and a laugh about IBS as I react badly to lots of veg, fruit etc and he also had IBS.

I had no other issues during the pregancy (I did have to have regular blood tests in case of diabetes, but this was because my mum and uncle have Type 2).

Congratulations!!

Mogz · 20/10/2013 20:06

The only problems I have had have not been to do with my high BMI. Hyperemesis and pelvic pain can affect anyone. The things they check for in high BMI women like glucose tolerance and high blood pressure have been perfect. I've been careful with eating a balanced diet and trying to move as much as possible and my midwife has been nothing but supportive and full of praise for the things I'm doing right. My consultant is the same.
You'll be given the higher dose folic acid and probably some aspirin, which makes the blood flow across the placenta better.
Congratulations on your pregnancy, look after yourself and enjoy.

neversleepagain · 20/10/2013 20:15

I had a high BMI when I fell pregnant. Like you I was nervous about what the midwives and consultant would say. I worried for nothing. I had a fantastic experience and was never made to feel bad about my weight. I found out I was having twins so I had loads more appointment and scans. At 32 weeks my consultant said that I had an exemplary pregnancy

I had a GD test and it was fine. I never had raised blood pressure and overall it was a really good pregnancy.

Good luck :)

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 20:47

Twins? Wow congratulations!

OP posts:

thecakeisalie · 20/10/2013 21:03

I'm now 17+1 with DC3. My bmi has ranged from 37 - 43 with all 3 of my pregnancies. I've actually lost 2st since falling this time because of morning sickness.

I've found having a higher bmi may make us higher risk but it doesn't mean were doomed to complicated pregnancies. I've had 2 straight forward pregnancies and labours. I'm actually going to try to convince the consultant to agree with my plans to have a home birth this time.

I've found some HCP's can be a little negative but only a few of them. The consultants were very matter of fact about it all. I would say don't let them push you into any intervention you feel uncomfortable with. I was heavily pressured into having an epidural with ds1 in case of complications but it caused problems with my already straight forward labour. Looking back I wish I had stood my ground.

I've found the worst bit has been finding decent plus size maternity jeans!

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 21:24

Thanks one. That is one of my concerns. Id rather not have an epidural and I have read a lot of pressure on this point (I have since banned myself from dr google! )

OP posts:

Original poster

jaykay987 · 20/10/2013 21:24

Sorry I meant cake not one!

OP posts:

curlywurlyllass · 20/10/2013 22:29

My bmi was 38 at booking (10weeks) i was told i was classed as high risk and would b consultant led care, to give birth in the hospital.

So far at 27w4 ive been given no advice or had an appointment with a consultant (demanded to see one at 19weeks after an amnio to raise concerns over mistakes midwives had made)

im not booked in for gd tests, just a growth scan and later on a placenta site scan (low/anterior)

Good luck!

terilou87 · 20/10/2013 22:54

I'm pg with dc5 and for 1,2&3 I was healthy BMI. for dc4 I was 37, and I had no problems other than pgp which can happen to anyone, with this pg my BMI is 35.4 (was also losing weight when I caught on)and so far I have had again pgp, high bp, and my gtt test has come back borderline have to go hospital to see specialist on Wednesday I'm always under consultant due to my first being a emcs so that was the norm for me anyway. it's shocked me how different pregnancys can be, I expected to have little problems because my last pg went reasonably well and this time I'm kinda dropping to bits

Milkjug · 20/10/2013 22:57

I had a high BMI too (can't remember number!), and a very healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy during which I generally felt very well. It doesn't necessarily translate into difficulties, and I think the only time it was mentioned was on the printout from my first scan which said 'maternal habit us' as a rationale for slightly unclear images.

I ended up with an ELCS, but that was for entirely unrelated reasons.

Sammi1986 · 20/10/2013 23:54

Yeah maternity clothes is a bitch! I found it particularly hard, I'm 6ft and apparently you can't be pregnant fat AND tall! Literally found one pair of jeans on a website I'd never heard of for £45!

Sammi1986 · 20/10/2013 23:55

And apparently I like exclaimation points!!!

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