Plus-sized Pregnancy

[leotwist]

Feeling hot and tired in the supermarket the other day, I mentioned to the checkout girl that it was probably because I was pregnant and had a cold. When she asked how far along I was, I said ‘Just a couple of months’. To which – with a pointed downward glance – she replied, ‘Oh is that all?’ Cheeky cow Granted I am plus-sized, but I felt like shaking my belly fat at her, Goonies style, and shouting, ‘This? Oh this is just all blubber so far!’

Now, obviously weight is an important consideration when you’re pregnant, and to get regular exercise and healthy food throughout. However, some of us get pregnant at a higher weight than most and, once you are, is not the time for any extreme dieting.

This thread is for the plus-sized mums amongst us (usually classed as size 18+) to support each other without judging or patronising. Your tales, reflections, experiences, resources, rants, etc – all very welcome!

Not pregnant, but wanted to share my story.

BMI was 39 at booking in, so was referred to Consultant Led Care (wasn't too bothered though as we've only one labour unit in the area and everyone who doesn't have a home birth goes there). Declined the weight management thing. Went to a midwife appointment around 22 weeks to find the Consultant didn't want to see me but had stated that I should be in continuous monitoring . This didn't tally with what I wanted (water birth if possible, if not active) so I requested an appointment with the Consultant, armed myself with various information (it helped that BP hadn't shifted up at all and the GTT was normal) and we agreed I'd have initial monitoring and then play it by ear.

In the end I didn't get a water birth (nothing to do with weight - just because the labour unit only has one and it was in use) so I used active labour and gave birth on a stool.

Despite being consultant led, the only time I saw one was at the appointment I'd booked. So the labour itself was solely the midwives.

Welcome Schnizel & ToniWol, and thanks for the input. Hearing about everyone's experiences is so useful for those of us new to baby-making. I've learned more than I ever thought possible already from this thread and I'm hugely grateful to you all. This type of sharing is surely what the best of women did for each other in the caves way back, and for centuries since.

I know its a bit early to be thinking of the birth but I'm curious about birthing on a stool, with gravity's help. Much as the idea of water birthing appeals, I've got sensitive skin & tend not to like being in water for very long; in practical terms too, it seems more awkward.

So ToniWol in what country did you do your stool birth? Were you provided with one, or did you have your own? (I see some quite comfy ones online!) Would you recommend any in particular, or even practising beforehand? And anyone else thinking of doing this or already done it?

Hi, I'm a size 22/24 and utterly shocked to be pregnant (this may be of help to anyone plus size worried about conceiving). I was a size 16 with my daughter 3 years ago but put on a lot of weight during and after her pregnancy (she is very healthy and not at all overweight for the record). This time I'm planning on staying active and trying to eat well. Anybody worried about not getting a bump need not worry either I definitely had a bump with DD. Good luck everyone.

I'm in the uk Leo, I wasn't really planning on it but I spent a lot of time leaning against the bed as it felt more comfortable and when the mw suggested it I decided to go for it. It was the hospital's so I suspect nothing too out of the ordinary as the NHS can't overspend. It was purple sparkly plastic, no back (I had to lean against DH). It was a little scary though as DD came out very quickly, so quickly that we didn't have a second midwife in to witness the birth.

Really?! My dad has blood clots and I have a very high bmi but no mention of any of those things, only after I have a c section I will have to have them x

Welcome, Porcupinetree and Rubberduck2 and to anyone else who's joined too and congratulations! I reckon staying active and eating healthily is all anyone's expected to do once pregnant, regardless of their weight.

Rubberduck 2, I'm a bit horrified to hear of your being instructed (by the MW?) to wear SS 24 hours a day for the entire pregnancy. Is she serious? I'm going to wear them on a forthcoming flight to Germany but find them really uncomfortable, especially in when it's hot in summer. I'm no expert but I would've thought, unless you're in a job where you're standing for long periods or you've got really bad varicose veins already, it'd be sufficient to elevate your legs on a daily basis. I get a decent walk in every day, which helps my circulation -- and mood!

Thanks, ToniWol, for the info about birthing stools. Having investigated them and other options, I'm thinking of cutting to the chase (with apologies for the pun) and asking for an elective c-section. I know there can be problems with them but it seems better to have pre-planned than suffer the horrors of an emergency one after a nightmarish attempt at natural...

Anyway that's all a long, long way away! On a lighter note, for fun tracking your pregnancy, check out the AlphaMom website: www.alphamom.com/pregnancy-calendar/.

And what are the injections?

Hi all. Just found this thread. This is my second plus size pregnancy.

I was classed as High Risk first time round due to age and weight - if it was just one factor I would have been consider a normal pregnancy. Both Age and BMI were 37!

Did shock everyone with a healthy pregnancy, shock every time they did blood pressure, clear GTT. Consultant care was fab and not at all over zealous. I was induced at 40+2 as baby had a big head (98th percentile) which they were worried about - nearly made it but little monkey turned at the wrong point and got that huge head stuck! Ended up with a C-Section.

This time things have changed and if I was still high BMI and old I wouldn't be a high risk but previous C-Section puts me back on consultant care, with a choice of trying natural or ELCS. Am holding off till 34 week scan.

Am currently 30+1 and have put on 7 lbs in total - lost about 5lbs in first trimester, not due to any sickness weight just seems to drop off initially. With my fist I only put on 20lbs in total and most of that was in the last few weeks. Baby was 9lb 9 so a lot of it was them!

Plus size maternity clothes I would recommend Asda, Asos, Next - size 20 jeans in normal don't fit, in maternity don't stay up!, some Jojo stuff works as well. Also if you suffer from the attractive chub rub I found some 3/4 length leggings on ebay for £3 each which I wear under dresses - I found trousers for work really tricky as under the bump feel like they are falling down constantly.

Sadly I don't get a bump I just seem to balloon a bit - does get me down as I would love to have all the bump pictures but I just look more and more like a beached whale.

Hi ladies. Can I join in?

Recently started a big dietary clean up, totally clean diet, no caffeine or sugar, wheat and dairy, have been doing so bloody well by losing a stone and yesterday I got a bfp (4 days late) Wasn't actually trying so is a bit of a shock as THIS IS BABY NO.6!!! My youngest is only 15mths. Dread telling my mum and sister as my physical health has been very poor, with tertible pelvic pain still from last pregnancy and chronic hip pain that is still being investigated, hence the big diet, have been hoping that losing the lard will help my pain.

Will continue with my diet. Hope to not gain so much. Im a big girl anyway, currently 15st 10lb. And dreading later on as I know the SPD will return. Was induced with last pregnancy due to SPD and big baby. ( I birth 10 pounders)

Jo. (5wks)

Wtf at the stockings 24 hours, that sounds very extreme!! I've never heard of that, but as you say if you can get injections and then not wear them 24/7 that will be a better option?

I had booking in on Friday and the midwife was really nice, and never made any comments about bmi. She even said don't worry about trying to lose weight (although I'll still be trying to stick to Sw and sensible eating anyway) but was glad they didn't make a big deal about it. I did get a gtt booked in for 16 weeks because I have a few other risk factors like pcos and previous pregnancy with Gdd, so I'm glad about that I'd rather have the gtt as early as poss and keep an eye on it!

Can any ladies give me abit of info or advice on what to expect in the anethnatist appointment just got mine through and I'm scared stiff!!

Welcome Jo! Six, wow! (You're probably sick of people saying that.) Quite frankly, regardless of what size you are, you're clearly bloody amazing at having babies! Really good to have your contribution, especially for us newbies!

Hi All, Have just read through all of this and am sat here with a smile on my face! I would love to join you ladies.

I too am a plus size mom to be! I was BMI 38, size 18, at booking in and I am 5ft8 and 37. This with a previous DVT scare (when I was 17 so AGES ago) has put me as High Risk, Consultant Led.

To find out I was even pregnant was a massive shock. I was previously married and we tried for 3 years to get pregnant, at every appointment I was told my BMI was too high (was a size 14/16 back then - BMI of 30) had PCOS, & then to get Clomid I had to lose 3 stone and to be BMI of 27-32. I did this, all the time feeling extremely pressured, depressed and unhappy as I LOOKED fine, at 5ft 8 I carried it well. Clomid & the pressure from Doctors/Nurses etc made me very depressed to the point that I considered ending my life. I had lots of reflexology with a great lady who specialised in fertility/PCOS and she constantly told me I didn't have PCOS & that I just wasnt happy & not having enough sex! I then got told my only hope was IVF and to lose a further stone to get to BMI of 29 to get the 'one free go' I was offered. I was so depressed. I had to mentally become at peace with the fact that I would not ever have children, just to stop myself being so depressed as it was killing me, I felt a failure. My X would watch what I ate, criticize me endlessly for eating/drinking as it was stopping him get a child......I eventually got to their required weight (all for his sake at this point I was happy with the fact I was going to be childless) and on the day of the booking appointment for the IVF finally snapped & said I couldn't do it. I wanted a baby naturally, not with medical help. Why couldn't he be happy with that? We divorced.

Fast forward 3 years, I am the heaviest I have ever been (17st 10) but the HAPPIEST I have ever been & happy with my childless status (3 lovely step kids with my fiancé!) & low and behold I am pregnant!

Super happy, super shocked and now being made to feel bad again about my weight, have been offered 'Healthy Moms' weight classes - she comes to the house, lectures me, didn't weigh me so how she knows I have a high BMI (other than guessing!) I don't know ha ha! Already lost 8lbs! LOL

But determined to have a healthy pregnancy!

bippityboppityboo I had an appointment with the anaesthetist last time round - its not been mentioned yet this time.

It was explained to me by my midwife as being a quick chat to check you over, make sure if they need to give you a spinal/epidural they have checked the site is accessible not hard due to fat layers etc.

Mine was exactly like this, discussed the various options - I knew at this point I was likely to be induced due to babies growth - why an induction may make the options more likely. Was absolutely nothing to worry about.

I can't even recall if they actually checked my back now (it was just over two years ago) but I am tall, and seem to hide my weight well so they may have considered it not necessary.

My biggest thing I would like to say to anyone is consultant led care is it is not a disaster, I was bullied every session of my NCT by the leader to get off the consultant list - I ignored it as as far as I am concerned medical professionals had a lot more knowledge to base decisions on.

I had fantastic care, was fully in control of all decisions right the way through the process - was given full information and trusted what I was being told. This time round I have exactly the same opinion - and there have been a lot of tears over the decision for VBAC or ELCS and I have still not made it but my feelings have not been shut down at all so I feel completely in control and also advised in both mine and babies interest.

Elleblue78.
Congratulations. Sounds like you've been on a very emotional journey.
How many weeks are you?
And also who comes to your home to lecture you about your weight?

I won't be taking any healthy classes, I'll continue with my new diet regime at home. Already lost a stone so hoping to keep the weight off now I've discovered i'm pregnant....again.

Hi Jodie1982,

thank you!

I am 12 weeks today so have my 12 week scan tomorrow. According to the date of my last period I would be about 14/15 weeks now but I obviously ovulated later. Anyway had a scan previously at the hospital and I was 8wks 3days the lady doing the scan said "it looks as good as it should do at this stage" so fingers crossed for tomorrow! She put on my notes that I have a high maternal BMI!

I then got the text saying I had been put forward for this Healthy Mums, I found it a bit upsetting as yes I realise my BMI is high however I am no uneducated and know how to eat healthy!

She came to my house, didn't weigh me and told me I was only allowed to put on between 14-21lbs in the whole pregnancy.....I just looked at her and said well I will try my best! It made me laugh as she said not to lose weight so she will have a shock when she comes this week to see me as I have lost 8lb! Purely through no drinking and changing jobs - before I was living in hotels and every night would be with clients so having 3 course meals!

Good luck with your pregnancy! How far along are you? x

I'm actually finding this pregnancy a lot easier than both my others in my younger days. I'm 30 weeks and had no issues yet thank god! X

Elleblue78.

I'm only 5wks along. Just got a bfp yesterday. 6th bubby!! I'm a pro now lol. I only have 4 children at home with me, my eldest lives with her Dad, unfortunately

I just use to let the useless advice go in through one ear and out the other tbh. You'll get it from time to time hun. As long as your feeling well/healthy and looking after yourself is the most important thing.

Welcome Elle, noodle,& bipp. So good to hear your stories & congrats on all your pregnancies! Particularly so to Elle for surviving such a lot of previous crap (v similar to my own and probably others on here too). It sounds really traumatic. Fabulous you're so happy now. Does everyone in your area get referred to the Healthy Mums, Elle? Can't believe they actually come to your house! They'll be checking fridges & food cupboards next...If anyone starts on about support stockings and coming over to my place, I'll be telling them where to go!

I am, on the other hand, feeling more receptive to being consultant-led, after some of the positive comments here & elsewhere. My BMI & age make me classically 'high risk', tho I don't drink or smoke, & have never had blood pressure or sugar issues. I'm also eating healthily & getting a vigorous walk every day. My hubby just rebuilt our cross trainer, too for when it's bad weather (bless 'im, what a star!)

Like you, heyjude, I'm feeling fine so far: no bleeding, cramps, or sickness. I am, however, completely knackered and peeing all the time. Can't pass the bed without falling into it for a nap, or the toilet without paying another visit.

Hi all,
I'm 35 and pregnant with our 1st much longed for baby and 13 weeks. My bmi was 39 at booking and no mention of consultant or being high risk - should I be worried I'm not? I was told I would have to see the anaesthetist so they can check my back fat. I'm currently down 7lb owing to 'morning' sickness that affects me whenever it wants to.

RuskBaby, Try reading through this thread to put your mind at rest. Lots of lovely and large pregnancies that turn out fine. Have you had your scan yet? Sometimes that can be quite a relief.

Ruskbaby BMI will not automatically make you a high risk, with my first I had to have two ticks in a box one was age which was greater than 35, and BMI greater than 35.

This time round I have been told if I hadn't had a C-section I may not have been considered a high risk as first pregnancy didn't have any issues health wise, just a big baby and induction at due date which ended in a c-section due to DD turning her head at the wrong moment.

It is very dependent on area I think. I have a lot less appointments second time round!