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!

I was weighed at booking in and haven't been weighed since. I've weighed myself and I am a grand total of 2lb heavier than I was then, and I'm now 35 weeks. Baby is average sized and healthy though. Must be the rigours of the gestational diabetes diet!

I was weighed at booking in and haven't been weighed since. I've weighed myself and I am a grand total of 2lb heavier than I was then, and I'm now 35 weeks. Baby is average sized and healthy though. Must be the rigours of the gestational diabetes diet!

I was weighed at my first pregnancy booking in, and then at the first scan for the Down's syndrome blood test. This was March 2014.

For second pregnancy (am currently 31+3) I told the midwife my weight and BMI and booking in, and not been shown a set of scales at all.

I discussed my weight with midwife at last appointment (28 weeks) and her exact words were we don't really pay attention to weight you put on in pregnancy!

There are guidelines to what you should expect to put on I think if you have a BMI > 30 it should be not more than about 20lbs in total in the whole 9 months. www.babycentre.co.uk/a554810/weight-gain-in-pregnancy

I did keep up my healthy eating first time round, not been quite as good this time, much more tired and liable to go for rubbish food! I ended up putting on about 26lbs first time round but lost most of it within 2 weeks! I was going to what was a Rosemary Conley class and got weighed the night before I was induced and two weeks later.

Have currently put on 10 lbs so far so hoping its the same this time round fingers crossed!

I got weighed last week, and put on a stone and a half!! I cried a lot.

The only thing my midwife said to me was bmi over 30

Stupid phone.

Anyone with a bmi of over 30 should go on the increased folic acid prescription.

Ladies can I ask you, should I expect to see anything at all at 12 weeks (first pregnancy, BMI 33) there is nothing there at all (well I LOOK pregnant but I know that big round belly is half fat half bloating) but nothing lower down yet - when should I expect something?

Blue with my DS I don't think I started showing until around 20 weeks. This time it was around 16 weeks, but I think with second pregnancies you tend to show earlier. I think it depends on a lot of things to be honest - your size and shape, the way the babies lying, etc, so I really wouldn't worry about it.

Hi all, hope you are all doing well!! Had an early scan yesterday and babe is measuring pretty much spot on, just one day out of the date's I'd worked out! Starting to feel real now I've actually seen their little heartbeat! xx

Thanks schnitzel, that really helps.

And congrats prosecco

Blue I'm the same bmi, and just bloated really badly. First time round I was in normal clothes and didn't show until well after 20 weeks.

This time I think it'll be sooner as I can feel changes to my stomach.

Thanks Stubble, it's good to know

I have only need to wear mat clothes in second pregnancy since about 26 weeks. Up till then my normal wardrobe worked fine with the addition of bump bands. Trousers were my first issue. Now 31+6 and have an obvious bump although kids I teach have still not noticed!

www.maternitybellyband.co.uk/Plus-Size/C3-1-0.htm

Oh no rubber, what's ado?

Noodle - daft question but when wearing a bump band how do your trousers stay up? Mine are always falling down - stupid narrow hips and legs!

I need some advice! Where can I find maternity tops that are loose and cool, and will contain my ample bosom?
I tried loads on today and the empire line "waist band" is at nipple height. I need something to sit under the busy and then go out over the bump!!

Stubble - hair bands! Loop one back on itself through the button hole and then hook/wrap it around the button once or twice! Works best on jeans but have also managed it with one of those metal catches on trousers as well!

Mango - I got loads of good things from Asos and George - most of my maternity wardrobe is from there I also have the waist band issue.

Also why are the majority of maternity tops v neck wrap things - I have to pin them together so I don't flash the kids at school!

Ahhhhh got it Noodle!!! Thank you

I steer clear of wrap tops due to flash factor! Second Asos, I've also got some good things from new look maternity last time.

Saw the midwife today, all fine, but she said it's too early to try to listen for a heartbeat at 18+2. She also made a referral to physio for SPD.

Schnitzel pleased alls fine - my midwife listened for (and heard) heartbeat at 16 weeks but I think it may be different in different places. Hope the physio helps.

Hi all,
I'm a size 20-22 with big boobs (46f!!) I'm struggling with clothes that aren't obviously maternity styles!! What's yours like for sizing? Or asos? Any other recommendations?
Thanks xx

I am a 38G ad have found Asos and George best options. I also am still able to get into non mat stuff at 32 weeks if they are non fitted. Either long tunic styles or with bump bands I recommended earlier in the thread.

Hi can u join please? I'm 25 weeks tomorrow and was size 22 when I conceived. My consultant and midwife are lovely, no mention about weight from either (midwife put me on the folic acid after asking if I knew my BMi (40) but didn't weigh me and no further mention, and that was very matter of fact and nonjudgmental. Said they don't weigh as a rule and no mention of healthy eating classes). I was only weighed onice at 12 wk scan and all hcp have always made me feel very dignified as I would expect. Consultant led as also older- 40. On asperin as bp high side of normal and GTT came back as normal. No issues with scans, just have a full bladder, sonography we mentioned how nice and clear both were. I've put on 8lbs and really don't want to put on much more (aiming for less than a stone) but also have been eating normally (for me) do not bad. My one thing is I'm struggling with maternity clothes sonic thinking of just getting bigger sizes from Asos curve/ new look inspire and h&m. All their mat ranges only go up to 18/20 which is rubbish! Only thing with non maternity is the fronts of dresses (which I live in with leggings) come up higher than the back .

Hi shabbychic glad to hear everythings going well.

Yours do a small maternity range up to a size 32. Not tried the maternity stuff but I've liked other things from yours.
www.yoursclothing.co.uk/maternity-20

Hi all, can I just ask when you started showing? My midwife said I could be later but was just curious how many weeks people were? xx