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 think I was about 20-21 weeks when I could tell it wasn't fat. I'm now 35+4 and obviously have a very definite bump but it's much smaller than some of my skinnier friends. Most people dont believe I'm saying far along as I am.

Thanks Frikadela

I am 33 weeks and DH says I have a bump and I am beginning to believe him - have only just started to waddle!

Up until about 4 weeks ago I just felt fatter =( I don't get nice bumps at all.

Upside - I have spent today in a non maternity top with no problem! Bloody Mat jeans have done nothing but fall down!

i had been waiting to update with tangible news, but as the midwives aren't able to see me until 16 weeks for my first appointment, there isn't much to say.

i've also been ill with a nasy cold, through which dh has been amazing. it has shown me that i was silly to worry about him coming with me to my appointments. everyone's reassurance here really helped too, so thank you again.

in other news, the weather is hotting up! i've seen some maternity comfort shorts from yours for under skirts and dresses - think i'm going to have to make an order! hope you're all managing to stay cool.

Just want to say thank u for putting this here, I just found out last night that I'm pregnant and I'm a size 20 , it's the first thing I'm thinking, I really don't want to put on weight ! I'm hoping I loose weight well was I'm going to eat healthy and see what happens I have asthma so but worried about that just it's first pregnancy so nervous boutique everything! Clear blue digital says 1-2 weeks so very early on

Putting on weight is my a given. I'm 36+2 and as of Tuesday weigh 1kg less than at my booking in. I haven't been dieting and I haven't had hyperemesis. I think baby is now just taking room up where my food would normally go so I get full faster.

Chicken2015 Congratulations.

With my first by my due date I had put on just shy of 2 stone, I was back to my pre pregnancy weight within 2 weeks (did have a big (9lb9) baby though!)

This time I haven't eaten as healthily as I did first time round (too tired looking after a toddler at the same time!) and I am 34 weeks and have put on a total of 12lbs so far.

I didn't have any morning sickness but always seem to lose weight in the first trimester as well.

First time mums, can I ask when you stated to feel movement? I'm nearly 19 weeks and a size 20. I figure it might take longer to notice movement that for my slim friends but I am starting to worry a bit (20 week scan next week)

Blue2014 I felt my first flutter type movement at the end of 19 weeks, I then got these sporadically until week 22 ish all down on my bladder. I'm now 25 weeks tomorrow and weeks 22-24 they got stronger and more regular and this week was first time I felt her properly kick on the outside

I'm also a size 20 and first pregnancy :)

Hi, I'm 21 weeks, first time mum and only started feeling the baby in the last week or so, but now I can feel the baby pretty regularly. I found out at the 20 week scan I have an anterior placenta which is why I can only feel baby if s/he is kicking down low. Hopefully it won't be long for you now!

I forgot to say, I'm a size 16/18 with a BMI of 34!

Thank you, much appreciated I'll just wait a little longer then

Hi. Very nervous nelly here. I found out yesterday I'm pregnant.

I weigh 15s 7lb. I know this precisely because I'm doing weight watchers to lose weight from my last two pregnancies in January and December 2015. I put on nearly 8 stone

So far I've lost 3.5st since February and now I'm so worried it's all going to go back on.

I hate that I don't have a bump, that I just look fatter. I would have liked to have lost all the weight before getting pregnant again so i could have a bump (and have a healthier, easier pregnancy).

Also, I'm 36, so feeling quite old too! Going to have 3 under 3 to look after!!!

Also, I've now had more time off work then I was actually at work, i didn't go back to work between babies, the mat leave merged from one baby to the next. Feel very nervous about telling my employer.

Very pleased and excited though!

Gonna Congratulations.

You can manage your weight whilst pregnant. For my first pregnancy I stayed with my slimming class (old Rosemary Conley set up) and kept getting weighed each week. Not sure about Weight Watchers but i know SW support you through pregnancy. Don't diet but don't go back to 'old ways'!

I found getting weighed each week made sure I kept to healthy eating - not a diet as such but didn't fall into the trap of 'I'm pregnant I can eat lots of cake' way of thinking.

I got weighed the night before I was induced with no. 1 and then two weeks later and was almost back to pre birth weight. Still overweight but was happy with that.

I also tried to keep my exercise going as long as possible - it was the heat that made me stop in the end in the middle of the summer!

As for being old I was 37 with my first!

Hi Gonna - congrats like Noodle I'm currently pregnant with my first at 37 so you're in good company

Hello! I'd like to join you, if that's OK! I'm 7 weeks pregnant with DC#1 and very much overweight - and I've piled on way too much since finding out I was pregnant as well! (Quitting smoking cold turkey, being taken off tablets which were helping with the weight, and having more appetite increases than decreases - argh!)

So I am worried about how it will affect my pregnancy and health in general... Plus also kind of worried I won't have much of a bump to show off if it's all hidden in my belly fat, haha!

Looking forward to reading about your experiences and getting to know you all

How everyone hope the pregnancies are going well. Is this just a general any questions thread or is it theme based. Have lots of questions and don't know any other plus size or pregnant people x

I posted back in May that I'd lost 7lb since start of pregnancy due to sickness, I've now put on just over a stone back and baby is growing well. I have also decided to join Slimming world this week, purely to try and limit any further weight gain as I can feel it now, and I want to be able to manage labour without being too knackered just from the extra weight

Morning all what a great thread for support. A little about me EDD March 21st with first baby. This pregnancy was a pleasent suprise, did try for a few months at the end of last year beginning of this however as I was stressed work wise and we got engaged we decided to take the stress of trying away roll on a few months and here I am. I did think my weight may cause some issue ttc as I am classed as obese with a high bmi. I wear size 20 clothes. Waiting for my booking in appointment but nervous about it. Just hope I can have as healthy a pregnancy as possible.

Anybody else taking aspirin due to high BMI? I was but it has caused a gastric ulcer so I am now fat, pregnant and in pain (not being pessimistic or anything ).
Has this happened to anyone else?

I take 75mg every day due to BMI and blood pressure ;(

Has everyone been put under a consultant due to bmi? Has anyone started talking to MW/Consultant about birthing options?

I see a diff consultant each time, latest one said no chance of water birth due to bmi and might need to be induced due to blood pressure (still not medicated for hypertension and not classed as high yet )

I'm not seeing my midwife until the day before I reach 8 weeks so I am worried about whether or not the tablets I'm taking are enough for my high BMI - should I be taking extra folic acid, etc? It seems such a long wait to see someone, especially given I have a history of recurrent miscarriage!

At what point did you get told to take different tablets / precautions, etc?

It's just under a week before my first appointment now and I'm really worried I need to be doing things different way before that

I know what you mean mrs I'm worried too that I should be taking a higher dose of folic acid. I haven't got my booking in appointment but think I could be another 2 weeks from it given they only do appointments on one day per week at my surgery.

I have never been told to take the higher doses of Folic Acid in two pregnancies now, (currently 7 days past EDD!!!), so as long as you are taking it I wouldn't worry - you do get some from food as well as the tablets.

Re consultant led - I have been for consultant led for both due to age and weight, was induced at 40 weeks due to baby presenting large in first pregnancy - due to induction and needing to go on the drip I was unable to have a water birth. We are lucky to have a pool on our labour ward as well as midwife led unit so it was an option for labour even if not delivery. Due to drip and me opting for a epidural it was ruled out.

This bubba is not so big (or wasn't at the growth scan) so I have refused an induction at 40 weeks (am partly regretting this now I am soooooo overdue and had enough!) as I have no other issues at all, so am currently in a wait and see situation.

Am booked in for induction next week if I am still cooking!

I was already on the 5mg folic acid pre pg and was told when I went to the docs (where I am you have to do that before seeing the midwife) that they would have put me on that dose anyway. Also 81mg aspirin. I will also see a consultant.
So all these things sounds pretty standard for high BMI.
Last pg I managed to stay within their recommended gain, so hope to do the same again. Also got back to pre pg weight in 2 weeks (subsequently went to hell in a hand basket).