Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Obese and pregnant

132 replies

Pob13 · 10/05/2018 20:36

Hi,
Hoping to meet some ladies in a similar situation. When I say obese I mean properly obese, not just a bit chubby.
Im size 26 and 7 wks pregnant with my first.
I would really appreciate advice, tips, etc.
Hope to find some new friends.

OP posts:
SophieE1987 · 10/05/2018 20:45

Hello!
I’m a size 18-22 and 18 stone at 5’3 so have a high bmi - I’m 10 weeks with my first at the moment - been feeling a bit lonely about my size - worried about whether I’ll get a bump etc, worried how health professionals will treat me... I’ve had two early scans at 5-6 weeks and not had any negativity yet but very nervous about my first midwife appointment on Monday!

jellycrumble · 10/05/2018 20:58

Hi ladies, I'm overweight too (was 14st when I fell pregnant, although had lost 2 stone prior to this) and now up to 16st again - I was told by a consultant not to gain any weight(!!!) during this pregnancy (my first) which is quite frankly ridiculous - the first 16 weeks I could only stomach bread and had lots of food aversions. Don't feel bad if you cant stomach salads, I certainly couldn't. Eat what your body needs. I've always had a large stomach, but am pleased to say I've rounded out quite nicely at 33 weeks and I'm sure you will too! The only issue is the loose skin at the bottom of my bump, but there's so many nice maternity clothes that hiding it isn't hard and can disguise it pretty well! Especially bump bands and tight vests with harem pants.

In terms of scans, I have a lot of tummy fat but this never hampered the images I got, and nobody ever commented on it either while I was being scanned.

Nobody has ever made any negative comments about my weight during the pregnancy at all really - I was obviously explained the risks at the very beginning when they took height and weight etc but this wasn't done to make me feel bad, just to make me aware that I was slightly at risk of more things and nothing has been said since, I've not even been weighed. Most bigger ladies have perfectly risk free pregnancies. My mum has been tiny all her life and every single one of her pregnancies had severe complications.

The only issue I'm having is possible pre-eclampsia due to family history, and polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) although no cause of it. Im clear of gestational diabetes too.

You will be offered extra growth scans later on due to BMI (which to me is no bad thing!) plus the glucose test, and that's pretty much it. You may be advised to take extra folic acid until 12 weeks but my midwife didn't bother.

Congratulations and hope you have a lovely stress free pregnancy!

AnotherOriginalUsername · 10/05/2018 21:07

Congratulations Smile

I'm pregnant with my first, 10 weeks tomorrow.

I've had my booking in appointment with the midwife and no issues. Was given a prescription for 5mg folic acid due to my BMI (38) until 12 weeks and then have to take daily aspirin from 12 weeks (I meet a couple of high risk factors for something - pre-eclampsia maybe? First pregnancy, BMI and existing heart condition).

Midwife didn't lecture me on my weight or anything, besides the above it wasn't mentioned at all. She briefly discussed diet (more so what I couldn't eat) and exercise (do I do any? Yes - that was it).

Pob13 · 10/05/2018 21:08

Hello! Im also type 2 diabetic, so have all that fun stuff to deal with.
I met my midwife on Tuesday, it is a bit crap when they weigh you and say you are at risk due to your bmi. I think it is above 35 that makes you high risk. So you will be consultant led, which does sound a bit scary. But actually I think we get more scans, which is nice. I think unless you are in denile about your weight we just need to accept it. I expect we will get some comments but we cant all be perfect!
Im also confused about the whole bump thing. Does it go under the fat, so you are extra big, or does it sort of absorb the fat?

OP posts:
Pob13 · 10/05/2018 21:11

Thanks @jellycrumble

OP posts:
BakedBeans47 · 10/05/2018 21:14

I wa obese in both my pregnancies, BMI of 40 2nd time. I had to have “shared care” which didn’t mean much different to midwife led care in the end as I had uncomplicated midwife deliveries. Pregnancies were fine as well.

BakedBeans47 · 10/05/2018 21:15

Oh and yes I had a proper bump. It looked better in proper maternity clothes.

Isadora666 · 10/05/2018 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Pob13 · 10/05/2018 21:35

@Isadora666 Thanks for that. Surprisingly I do know that it is not ok to be obese. There are various reasons, medical and psychology that have led me to put on weight, but I do not need to explain them to you. But thanks for your input.

OP posts:
Isadora666 · 10/05/2018 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HeresMeh · 10/05/2018 21:45

Oh fuck right off @Isadora666 you wee troll

The ignorance of you to come on here and comment like you know anything about the OP and her situation is astounding.

This thread is clearly of no interest to you so leave the OP alone and leave it to people who do want to comment and help her out.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 10/05/2018 21:46

@Isadora666 it's not a case of being proud of the situation, it's about connecting with women who share the same risk factors/potential for complications, will go through the same level of consultant care etc.

pumpkinpieinmyeye · 10/05/2018 21:46

It much be soooo nice to be perfect like you Isadora Wink

Isadora666 · 10/05/2018 21:46

I'm not a troll. If the topic said "Smoking and Pregnant" would it receive supportive matey replies? Tell me the difference.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 10/05/2018 21:48

Probably. Smokers do get pregnant, why shouldn't they talk to other pregnant smokers who are in the same position as them, probably trying to give up, concerned about the risks and implications to their unborn child?

HeresMeh · 10/05/2018 21:49

She's asking for advice and tips on dealing with her pregnancy due to her weight, not throwing a ticker tape parade to celebrate being 'obese'.

And even if she was it's got nothing to do with you and your invalid opinions!

Honestly, go away. Why are you here?

Hoppinggreen · 10/05/2018 21:50

These ladies are pregnant and obese.
I’m sure they know it’s not ideal but it’s not something they can change now so I can understand why they want support
I was overweight and pg (BMI 30) and actually lost weight while pg due to sickness. I was fine throughout pregnancy, although one sonogropher was a bit abrupt saying she couldn’t see my baby very well and wrote something about my BMI on my notes
Baby was fine too
Best of luck to you all x

doesthisnamelookgoodonme · 10/05/2018 21:51

@Isadora666 oh how we wish we were perfect like you! Go crawl back under your bridge :)

For anyone who's interested, I'm in a plus sized pregnancy group which is great for advice and help, this link should work if anyone wants to join

m.facebook.com/groups/534069676790285

AnotherOriginalUsername · 10/05/2018 21:53

Thanks for that @doesthisnamelookgoodonme - dare I join? Will it show on my Facebook feed do we think? Confused

bastardkitty · 10/05/2018 21:53

Jog on Isadora . I've reported you. Again.

HeresMeh · 10/05/2018 21:53

@doesthisnamelookgoodonme if I add myself to that FB group will it show up on my feed so others can see? I've not told anyone I'm PG yet as my Scan is booked for next week.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 10/05/2018 21:54

HeresMeh snap Grin

Isadora666 · 10/05/2018 21:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ClaraMumsnet · 10/05/2018 21:57

Hello, just a reminder that Mumsnet exists to make parents' lives easier and if there's one thing we could all do with, it's some understanding and moral support. Please do try and bear that in mind when posting.

bastardkitty · 10/05/2018 21:58

Just ignore it.