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!

Sending all my love, Leo! xxx

nervously joining you. not just fat, but old (39) too, 7+6 with #1.

this may sound ridiculous, but i am horrified at thought of being fat-shamed in front of dh at scan appointment. not a huge surprise to him that i am chubby, obviously, but not something we discuss and i'm so upset about it i am contemplating doing all scans without him, which is really getting me down.

anyone got any experience of this to share? am i being over-sensitive?

Leo I'm so very sorry to hear your news. Much love to you

Wilf please don't go to scans alone. I don't know what your Bmi is but my weight hasn't been a problem at all at scans so far (I've had 2 as it's an IVF baby)

My midwife was also completely lovely and no shaming there. The only thing she said was to wear flight socks on my upcoming holiday (now they are something I wish I could hide from DH!)

Leotwist, so sorry to hear your sad news. From your post you seem such a beautiful person. I wish you all the very best and hope to see you on this thread again soon.

hello can I join?
16 weeks and struggling with clothes, particularly as my stomach just looks enormous and flabby, but not bump like at all.

Wilf, at my scans I just popped into a room with a HCA and she noted down my weight so no need for DH to see or know.

Wilf talk to your DH beforehand and say that you're worried. I'm sure he'd rather not miss out on scans if possible, and he knows and loves you as you are, whatever the number on the scales says.

mangocoveredlamb welcome. Asos George and Next have been my saving grace in clothes. Plus also bump bands can wear them with trousers undone and them help keep them up and extend life of trousers. I am on number 2 and have only really needed to go into mat clothes from about 25 weeks as I just get overall bigger and size up jeans have been fine. I hate not having a bump though.

Wilf agree with others don't go alone. I have never been made to feel shamed about my weight. That's in nearly 2 whole pregnancies now. Am 31+3 with number 2. DH will not even notice and only comment I have had is on my notes not said to me.

I'm 20 years old, size 18 and 21 weeks tomorrow..
All my work colleagues and friends are all saying they think I've lost weight all around my body but my stomach, as I've been really ill since day once of finding out I've barely eaten but stomach is the same size, so people are asking me if I have a bump or not, specially my superiors at work as they're skeptical weather to buy me more uniform yet as they're not sure if I'm just fat or bumpy !!!
People need to realise just because you are weighty you do also have a bump, Its getting pretty annoying as when i lay down my belly is so hard and out there its so obvious to me

So sorry Leo. Wilf I've never been fat shamed at scans, and I'm sure it isn't something your DH will want to miss. The sonographers at mine have never mentioned my weight.

thanks so much for your reassurance. i'm really overthinking everything at the moment in the absence of having had any medical corroboration other than POAS. booking appointment on thursday, so hopefully i'll manage to prise myself off the ceiling after that.

No one has ever mentioned weight to me at a scan and I've had loads. Although I did have a growth scan last week, and I noticed afterwards that they've written on the scan reports that my BMI is 40, which it bloody is not, and that that was the reason for the scan, which it also was not! So a bit miffed about that.

Leotwist - I am really sorry to hear that. I am sending positive vibes your way. Hugs.

Hello all - I went for my 12 week scan last week and again on my notes was "very hard to see and get a clear picture due to high maternal BMI" however she never mentioned it was hard at all during the scan and she said what lovely clear pictures we had! Anyway....I haven't felt bad yet or shamed!

My midwife is about twice the size as me so said she want going to even talk to me about weight bless her! I have my 16 week appointment with her on 13th June so be nice to see what happens there - anyone had one yet? x

Elle I've got an appointment with my midwife on Friday, when I will be 18 +3. Should be the 16 week appointment, but my midwife is only available on Friday mornings and this is the first time I could get away from work. I'll let you know how it goes!

SchnitzelvonKrummsverylowtum

Thank you! I am getting diff stories as to whether they listen to heatbeat or not so would be good to know x

Ive got my 16 week appointment on Wednesday, so will also report back.

My 12 week scan was a bit tricky as they kept having to push really hard to see through the flab. I also had the high maternal BMI (33) on my scan report.

Hi
I got my antenatal appointment on Monday 30th may. There is nothing mentioned about scan. Are they going to scan me on that day. Or is it just the normal appointment to conform about my pregnancy. So I need to prepare myself in any way.
Thanks

How many week will be be Clomid? A rough guide to antenatal care is available on the NHS website explaining what will happen at roughly how many weeks!

I will be 8+ by the time of my appointment. I was on Clomid 100mg and heavy BMI as well.

I suspect it's your booking in then. They probably explain how to, or book your 12 week scan at that point.

So sorry leo, very sad news

With the scans, are people getting weighed at the hospital and having that noted down again before each scan? I don't remember this from my previous pregnancies!

I did, bit it was the same with my DD.

Do mums to be still get weighed at their check ups?
I'm sure I read that they scrapped the practice.
Probably not such a good idea if they don't do it any more, as I'm sure being weighed used to encourage us not to pile on the weight and eat for two. (Even though we didn't like it)