Plus size pregnancy

[FirsttimerNI]

Hi all, firstly I know from reading other threads that posting about this can lead to a lot of criticism and/or well meaning advice about the risks of a plus size pregnancy. So need to say first that I am well versed on the risks of having a high BMI in pregnancy. The staff I have encountered in my journey so far (21+3) have been extremely kind, non judgemental and sensitive, as well as being honest and advising of the risks. However my issue is I am ruining this special time for myself obsessing over my weight gain and the potential risks my BMI might cause. My BMI at booking was 38, I was still in my size 16 jeans (just!) but I’m quite small in height and clearly fairly densely built lol. My booking in appt was late (14 weeks) by which stage I had already gained 12lb from my normal weight, likely due to eating nothing but bread/crackers/digestive biscuits basically on an hourly basis to stop myself from puking everywhere! Weight gain has thankfully slowed a lot, have only put on another 2lb in the last 7 weeks thanks to now eating normally again as nausea thankfully passed. But I am crippled with anxiety/guilt/worry/fear about what may happen as a result of my BMI and the damage I might do to my baby and me. So I suppose what I’m asking for in this massive ramble is some positive stories of plus size pregnancy. Thanks in advance, I can’t seem to get past this in my own head and it’s making me miserable x

I think my BMI was 38ish when I booked in. My dd is laid in her moses basket as I type.

I had a textbook pregnancy really apart from having placenta previa which is probably due to complications in the past and not related to BMI as far as I know.

You will automatically be high risk and have a GD test and probably additional scans but in my opinion that can only be a good thing.

My joints knack now but I don't know if that's a hormone thing rather than weight and I took a very long time for my planned csection scar to heal which I have put down to being over weight but no1 has confirmed this.

I'm plus size pregnancy BMI over 40!. My baby is happy and healthy. I'm eating as healthy as possible I follow slimming world. Lost almost 2st before. Its completely normal to worry but weight gain whatever size is also normal. Was told between 1 an 2 lbs a week after 21 weeks.

Thank you! Yes have GTT booked for 5 weeks time. Literally lie awake at night obsessively worrying about not passing it and having GD! Told my husband passing it would mean more to me than my degree or masters he thought i was losing my senses lol

I’m 12 weeks. My BMI is 29ish as I gained 4kg during IVF treatment. Thankfully as I went through IVF I paid for testing and have been diagnosed with other complicating factors that may make my pregnancy high risk (and possibly unteneble if I slip into the obese territory); but if you conceived naturally these may only be investigated when you get the complications.

In terms of weight gain I didn’t get sickness, just nausea (and now hunger) and so have monitored my calorie intake to ensure I don’t gain weight. I have also kept up regular moderate intensity walking. Hopefully if my 12 week scan goes okay, I will start prenatal pilates / yoga and this will hopefully help in terms of my fitness.

Both my pregnancies happened when my BMI was 40+. Both fine, kids fine. Lots of extra doctors appointments but no complications.

My BMI is about 27 now. I wish I wanted more kids because I'd like to experience that huuuge bump feeling, as I didn't before, I just looked a bit fatter.

Thank you. Yes we conceived on honeymoon so no worries there. Normal 20 week scan , anterior placenta although don’t think that’s weight related and potentially can move as I understand it

High bum here too! I’ve been in steroids for 6 months with make you raging hungry and make you swell in your chin face and tummy - great!!! Just saw a model who was 40 weeks with an almost flat tum 😡
I am obsessively trying to dodge gd and am swimming and Luckily lost my sweet tooth in pregnancy but I I know of two women both slim size 10 who both got gd so it’s not just size,

@Nofunkingworriesmate - I’ve been on steroids too! The hunger is not fun. Especially when all you want is gravy and mash potatoes lol. I was told there’s an increased risk of GTT with steroids which considering I have pcos amongst my laundary list of conditions means I’ll probably get it at some point.

Mine was deffo over 30 at booking, not even mentioned. No issues in pregnancy at all and have a healthy 4 month old on my chest right now

High bum- that made me smile!!! I wonder if this is just general anxiety focussed on this one topic, never been massively worried about my weight before even though have never been slim. It’s crazy what pregnancy does to your mind!!!

I’ve had 2 plus size pregnancies. Not sure what my bmi was but I was a size 18/20 and I’m short.

No gestational diabetes in either pregnancy.

Dd1 I had extra growth scans as she was looking small and she was under 7lb at 11 days overdue but I wasn’t told this was due to my weight and I don’t think it was.

Dd2 again extra scans due to history of smallish baby and she was on the smaller side as well. My waters kept decreasing with her and I was booked in to be induced due to low volume of waters. She was just a bit smaller than her sister at 8 days early. I just grow them small. But again the low water volume I don’t think had anything to do with my weight.

After both pregnancies I ended up lighter than before I got pregnant. A combination of nausea in the first half and then it felt like the babies were pushing my stomach so I could only eat a little before feeling full or sick towards the end.

I was really overweight in both my pregnancies. Not great but both had no complications, had simple, quick births too. 2nd degree tearing both times but babies were over 9lb and over 10lb. I didn’t have GD either, although had the test &!extra scans the 2nd time around as I was bigger.

Thanks all x

Hi there. I totally relate to what you are worrying about. I'm pregnant now (39+5) and have a BMI over 40. I found an American resource really helpful as it was full of positive pictures and stories of successful plus size pregnancies. Have a look at www.plussizebirth.com and check out their podcast too.

I also wanted to say that I was terrified of failing my GTT and obsessively worrying about getting GD. I failed mine and although it felt like the end of the world at the time, I've managed to stay diet controlled all the way through (with help from the gestational diabetes UK mums Facebook page and website). All my growth scans have been completely normal and so far no other complications and I'm able to go to 40+6 before induction. Because of strictly following the diet I'm 2kg lighter now than I was at my booking in appointment.

What I'm trying to say is that it isn't all bad even when some complications crop up. You can still do the best you can for yourself and baby. Many people have complications, not just those with a higher BMI. Focus on what you can do to help baby now and try to stay positive. For the vast majority it all turns out well in the end. Hang on in there.