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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

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:
Hollieb1987 · 13/05/2018 22:34

Please don't panic. My friend fell pregnant at 15 stone and is 5ft. It totally changed her outlook and she took up walking in the evening to keep fit. She looked glowing during her pregnancy and she breezed it despite being slightly overweight at the beginning. Listen to your body, get plenty of fresh air and laugh lots! Spend your time focusing on the positives and enjoy your bump whatever it looks like. Your pregnancy is a blessing, do not let negative people ruin it for you x

TheRealMotherGoose · 13/05/2018 22:36

Oh and I had a brilliant birth, in a pool in my kitchen, with literally no pain relief apart from two breaths of gas & air as the baby was crowning! Don't let anyone suggest to you that you can't give birth naturally. Giving birth was the most empowering thing I've ever done; I have an entirely new appreciation and respect for my body and everything it can do.

SiolGhoraidh · 14/05/2018 13:28

23 weeks and a size 20 here. All going pretty well so far. I lost a lot of weight in the first trimester although it's creeping back on now. What weight has gone on is all on the bump, so none of my bras fit!

Only real health problems I have experienced are to do with Pelvic Girdle Pain, which I was high risk for due to hypermobility. Have ended up on crutches which is not much fun but is giving my arms a good workout. I was fairly active before this, so am missing park run and weight training. I have substituted swimming instead which is good for the joints.

As someone else said upthread, having a spare tyre does make for poor scan pics, but mine is a real wriggler anyway so all his photos look awful.

sailing123 · 14/05/2018 15:47

Hi lovely ladies,
Really pleased to find this thread. I am currently just 7 weeks pregnant and very obese! im 5"2 and my BMI is 47. When i went to the doctor to tell him i was pregnant he really upset me by going on and on about how irresponsible it was and how risky it was for my baby and the rates of miscarriage etc. I understand the risks and know it isnt ideal but that doesnt mean this pregnancy is less loved or wanted or that I will be any different to any other mum! I am seeing my first midwife next Wednesday so hoping she isnt as mean as that! I explained to my doctor that the pregnancy was a complete surprise (we are currently in the middle of planning our wedding for next May and weren't planning on babies till about 2020 but our baby has decided it wants to meet us sooner and upstage me at the wedding!!).
I also share the worries of many others on here - like will I be able to feel my baby?! and will i get a bump, etc! Am also worried about a fuzzy scan as i carry most of my weight on my belly - i basically already look pregnant!
Finding myself so exhausted so i cant even face gentle exersise and the only food that appeals at the minute is carby and dry food (like cheese sandwiches which i never used to like) so I dont think i'll be one of those people who loses weight while preggo!
Thanks for starting this lovely thread and i look forward to seeing everyone's updates xxxx

lifechangesforever · 14/05/2018 16:07

I'm in the obese category but my BMI was just below 35 at the booking in appointment and due to no other risks, I've been determined as low risk and therefore midwife-led as opposed to consultant. I weighed 84kg at 10 weeks.

That being said, I was subject to pretty poor scans at both 12 and 20 weeks where the sonographer made comments to both myself and my DH (when I was out of the room!) about my body shape and how it made it a very difficult scan. She also noted 'difficult scan due to maternal habitus' on my scan reports.

I'm not saying this to upset you (as it did me!) but to prepare and warn you that scans might not always be the most pleasant experience that you're excited for. My private scans were fab though so maybe I just really lucked out with the NHS ones!

Original poster
Pob13 · 15/05/2018 07:04

Welcome to the newbies and thanks for all the wisdom from the more experienced.

I have had my letter for my first consultant appointment. Its next week, but i will only be 9 wks and wont have had a scan. Does that seem right or too early?

OP posts:
orangejuicer · 15/05/2018 18:05

Hi all, had my 12 wk scan today. All went well (pic) and baby was wriggling. That's the first milestone I guess Smile

Obese and pregnant
AnotherOriginalUsername · 15/05/2018 18:50

Congratulations @orangejuicer, all that worrying for nothing!

Original poster
Pob13 · 16/05/2018 10:24

@orangejuicer aw lovely.

Im so worried about the scan. Still 4 weeks away but im so worried there will be too much fat in the way.

OP posts:
AnotherOriginalUsername · 16/05/2018 10:42

@Pob13 please don't worry about your scan too much. I had abdominal and vaginal scans and they were just as clear as each other. They aren't scanning your abdomen, they're scanning your pelvis just above your pubis so there's less subcutaneous fat there anyway

Original poster
Pob13 · 16/05/2018 10:56

@AnotherOriginalUsername thanks. I think its the worry that i might have the lift my flabby tummy out the way. So embarassing.

OP posts:
TinyPawz · 16/05/2018 11:08

@Pob13 when pregnant with Dd the midwife actually asked me to hold up my tummy. I was aware of it this time so did it before midwife asked. They've seen all sorts and I'm sure a flabby tummy is the least of it.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 16/05/2018 12:27

@Pob13 they may do. You'll be asked to get on the bed and lie down so when you do so, just pop your hands on your abdomen and bring them towards your chest et voila. No need for them to ask. There's nothing to be ashamed about. My stomach is awful after having lost 12 stone, having loads of loose skin and then putting 5 stone back on - oops!

Original poster
Pob13 · 16/05/2018 13:58

Thanks all. Not sure why i am getting myself so worked up about it!

OP posts:
sailing123 · 16/05/2018 17:10

@Pob13 i have this exact same worry! I keep imagining having to move my fat all around and make my partner help shove it to the side so they can get a scan!! It probably wont happen but i just want it to be over with! You just never know what sort of health professional you will be dealing with, if they will be sweet or judgey etc! hopefully they will be nice and in a month we will be both sharing our scan pics on here! xx

Original poster
Pob13 · 17/05/2018 14:16

Those of you that have been scanned, how long does it take? I have been booked in for an early one next week (9wks) due to diabetes. Just wondering how late i will be for work.

OP posts:
TinyPawz · 17/05/2018 18:56

@Pob13 is your scan at the EPU? My appointments there were really quick. In and out in less than half an hour

Original poster
Pob13 · 17/05/2018 19:00

@TinyPawz no, at the normal ultrasound unit. I dont really understand what they are looking for. I will still have one at 12 weeks for dating, etc. Obviously it will be good to see the heartbeat early (hopefully).

OP posts:
sprinklesandsauce · 17/05/2018 19:06

OP. I was classed as obese during my pregnancy, was under the care of the consultant, had to do a Glucose test, but had no problems that they kept muttering about. I suffered terribly from morning sickness and ended up 10kg lighter when I gave birth, than I was before I got pregnant.

I did suffer from SPD, which was agony. They kept saying the baby would be big and I should stop having orange juice and pasta. (don't like either of them!) Baby turned out to be under 7lb.

I did have a lot more scans, which was nice and reassuring. The only time the weight was a problem was the 20 week scan when he couldn't see everything clearly, and I couldn't have a 3D scan. During birth the only problem, was when the monitor stopped working, they wanted me to move, but I had had an ipidural and couldn't move, and the weight made it difficult for others to move me.

The HCP's do have a job to do, but there is no point in them being nasty to you, or rude, they just have to deal with the situation as there is not much you can do about it now.

crazygirluk · 17/05/2018 19:42

I've been obese (larger than anyone else has mentioned so far, for the record) for three pregnancies so I've had plenty of experience with this.

For the scan you may need to have an internal one as they may not be able to see well enough through the abdomen. It's not pleasant but doesn't hurt.
For external scans I've always needed to lift my belly out of the way and they usually have to press quite hard so be prepared for that. It's embarrassing but I just got on with it as it's got to be done. Easy to say I know but it's how I got through it.
Scans take longer and the printout will likely say something about it not being able to see that well due to reduced resolution because of high BMI.

I was consultant led for all 3, so you'll have extra appointments for that. During my last pregnancy I had to take aspirin and inject myself with clexane everyday from 16 weeks plus for another couple of weeks after delivery. Again not pleasant but by the time you've done it for 2 weeks it gets easier.
I also had 2 GTTs, a dietitian appointment and a monthly growth scan.
I did have an emergency C section for lack of progress with my first and then electives for my last 2.
Be prepared for straight talking, they're likely to talk about your weight, about being high risk and possible complications.

If you have any questions ask away, it's all fresh in my mind as I had my last baby in January.

Belliniteeny · 17/05/2018 19:44

@lifechangesforever glad I'm not the only one! ..I've had about 15 scans all in all (low growth) and the majority of reports say either "poor view due to maternal BMI" or "maternal habitus" or even adipose tissue. I've been told by a consultant sonographer that my tissue is very resistant to sound waves and some people's just have this... I let it slide off me like water off a ducks back. I had a bmi of 34 at booking, size 14/16, but quite tall and broad and see people much bigger than me waiting to be scanned. I've also only put on 4kg (35 weeks, but have a small baby on board) and only have a little bump. The most important thing is your health and that of the baby. Eat well and don't let comments bother you.

fabulousfrumpyfeet · 17/05/2018 19:47

Hi op, congrats on your pregnancy. There's research to indicate the keeping active in pregnancy can reduce many of the risks. Walking is a good gentle exercise during pregnancy, do you have a pedometer or could get one? Hope it all goes well.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 18/05/2018 07:38

@crazygirluk (or anyone else familiar with the process!) What happens at the obstetrician appointments?

Original poster
Pob13 · 18/05/2018 09:08

@AnotherOriginalUsername im wondering the same. Also according to my letter my consultant is a bloke. I know i shouldnt but i do feel a bit weird about that.

OP posts:
Belliniteeny · 18/05/2018 09:14

My consultant is male, although he is there at the clinics he has never been the doctor I have gotten to speak to. They have a whole team of doctors and you usually get called by a different one every time. I've had men twice. It's been fine. They just explain risks. If your only issue is BMI and it isn't that bad you can get referred back to midwife. I'm still consultant led due to other issues. At the end they always ask if they can have a listen to babies heartbeat, you can decline, but surely you want to hear it more than feeling uncomfortable about a man touching your belly!