Plus size pregnancy

[Charliebigpotatoes]

I am 8+5 and my BMI is low 40s.

This pregnancy came as a very welcome but very shocking surprise!!

I'm very excited and have my booking appointment with the Midwife next week.

I am however starting to worry that I'm going to be made to feel awful about my weight.

I have battled disordered eating and dysmorphic views of myself all my life and I am finally at the point where I accept myself and I am even starting to love myself. I'm worried that if I start to go backwards it will really affect my mental health and in turn affect the baby.

I did probably the worst thing and googled plus size pregnancies and have read some horror stories.

Are there any other plus size ladies out there who have had good experiences??

I’m on my second plus size pregnancy and honestly it’s fine! You are monitored more closely, but I see that as a good thing.

You’ll prob be given extra folic acid to take, and 75mg aspirin daily (precaution against preeclampsia and clotting). You’ll also have more scans in the third trimester. And a few of those horrid gestational diabetes tests!

But you can still have the birth you want, and you’ll surprise yourself at how you’re coping.

My BMI is 34. You will get some not so nice stuff said to you eg they have to read out a list of things that your weight puts at increased risks for. They will also refer you for some things that average sized women don't have to have like glucose testing and at 35+ a food and diet clinic. They might even suggest you join slimming world whilst pregnant! They might also struggle to do scans with an external ultrasound and have to use an internal one.

I'm not sure all of this is that useful or sensible. For example what is the point of reading the horrible list of risks to you - you're already pregnant.

But some stuff is for your and the babies own good eg I have to have the large sized cuff for blood pressure or it might give a false high reading.

You will have to try really hard to grow a thick skin around the healthcare professionals as they will say insensitive things.

But there are plenty of us having plus sized pregnancies and you can vent to us. And so far my pregnancy is pretty good. Had some scared bleeds but that was nothing to do with being overweight. Babies are fine and I haven't suffered with morning sickness very much.

The internal scan is no big deal and you get a really good view. Now the babies are bigger the external one works fine. And at 16 weeks it's starting to look a bit more bump like and a little less like I've just piled on a few (more) pounds.

You'll be fine and mumsnet is here if you need to talk.

@Charliebigpotatoes I have struggled with my weight all my life but found a new relationship with it when I was pregnant as there was this sense of its use, not something to be hated or fought. I don't know if that makes sense but I hope you may find similar. I also really liked my shape in later pregnancy.

I was weighed at booking and had some comments from consultants when diagnosed with GD, meant constructively but hard to hear. The only time I felt a bit crappy was being weighed for the anaesthetist in case I needed a CS. Mostly everything was positive. One midwife said at an appt it was great to see such a normal, healthy mum-to-be which is one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.

I only put on a stone throughout the whole pregnancy so was actually lighter afterwards.

Hope you find some similar positive outcomes and you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Nobody ever criticized my weight whilst pregnant. It was explained to me my increased risks due to my bmi and what the bus does to counteract these. I was never made to feel bad and I found they handled it very well.

Thank you so much ladies.

The extra monitoring I expected and that's fine for me, as long as my baby is healthy then they can do what they want!!

It's more other people attitudes I can't cope with, I don't want people thinking I'll be a bad mum because I'm bigger....if that makes any sense at all!?

I'm already preparing myself for the worst so hopefully the healthcare professionals will be fine and I can see that as a bonus.

I am already marveling at my body and how it's changing, it's amazing seeing it as strong and something that has a purpose for the first time in my life.

Oh god,and now I'm crying again...these pregnancy hormones are a treat!!!

Hiya!
I'm plus sized too and just had gastric surgery via NHS in April so being 6 weeks pregnant is a shock!
Do NOT let anyone judge you.

This is my second pregnancy and I know already I will be consultant based and that's fine with me, in Scotland if your BMI is high you are now automatically consultant in case of any issues etc.

Just enjoy your pregnancy and a girly tip - YOURS clothing do awesome maternity wear! 😁

I’m low 40s BMI and this is my third pregnancy, both my other pregnancies I was a good weight , first time lower end of normal and second time bang in the middle of a normal bmi... this time way over! And I haven’t been treated any differently other than being told I need to be on aspirin 75mg. I was offered more scans just because my boys were 9lb11oz and 9lb11.5oz but I probably won’t take them... the second midwife said she doesn’t see a need to do it due to big babies but no previous issues if I’m happy delivering big babies. Also diabetes tests!
But don’t worry, bigger women can deliver perfectly fine! They just have to be careful, and nobody will judge you for being bigger! It doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference to your mothering skills

Oh god, just remembered that Lucozade test lol

Yeah i was same, had some extra scans and due to 3x reduced movements i was induced but didnt care as long as baby was ok - shes now a 3yr old who is tall and healthy.

I have a high BMI too and my midwife was lovely at my booking in appointment and only mentioned my bmi as i would be classed as high risk which means extra scans. I have my 12 week scan next week and so worried they wont be able to see the baby because my tummy was already pretty big before pregnancy