Overweight or plus size and pregnant

[eskimod]

Hello! I'm starting a thread where us plus size girls can talk pregnancy!
I've noticed you rarely see a plus size bump etc.

My journey started 2 months ago. My OH and I have been busy working etc etc and realised we're nearly 30 (I'm 29 and he's 28). I have a few friends trying for a baby and struggling (not plus size, one older, one younger) so we got concerned that our weight and age would make things difficult (I'm 5"5, size 16 and 14 stone, BMI 33).

So, after years of telling everyone I didn't want kids, I wanted to get married first (we've been together 10 and a half years, getting married July 2020), were not ready yet etc... we decided to see how it went.

I started using apps and ovulation tests and we had sex st the right times but cycle 1 was not successful. I think I got a bit too obsessed.
Month two, I did the same but I was more relaxed about it. Then I got cramps and could feel my period coming, I was a bit gutted but tried not to get too down. BUT, AF didn't arrive... I took a test and it was a BFP!

I'm currently 5w4d by my calculations. Due 29th March 2020. I rang for an appointment and was given one for 29th August- I'll be 10 weeks by then! The lady on the self referral line said I need to take more folic acid because of my weight. I'm waiting for a prescription because you can only have it prescribed. I'm taking 4mg (rather than 5) and hoping this will be okay?!!

I've been reading online and can see there's some scare mongering for larger pregnant ladies bit I've also read that most plus sized women have healthy pregnancies.
Let's offer each other support and advise

sprite, I don't know how helpful this is for tops etc. but one tip I read was to open the button / zipper on your pants and use a rubber band or similar to close at the top to give yourself a little more room in the early days. Mind you, I'm planning to go full on leggings only once I get to the point where things feel tight, no half measures.

Hey smartcarnotsosmartdriver, BMI of 41 here too! I knew I was overweight but still a bit of a shock. That said my BP is at the lower end of normal, I had a couple of higher readings (borderline normal) but that was mainly due to overdoing it in the heat. My midwife and consultant have been really nice about it all and have been encouraging about trying to eat better, gentle exercise etc. I'm also seeing him because of higher risk of diabetes as both sets of parents are type 2 and I have pre - existing anxiety and low level depression, trying to treat the extra appointments and scans as bonuses that 'normal' mums-to-be don't get. Slightly concerned about size of baby as my side of the family are chunks - my twin sisters were 5 weeks early and 6lb4 and 6lb11, I was 4 days early and 8lb...

Hello to all the newbies! I've been on holiday so have been a bit quiet.

I'm 9+3 today. I've been feeling slightly sick everyday but nothing too major. I'm always tired though! Could nap lottsss! I'm dreading having to go back to work next week, how will I cope?!! My OH has been great, doing most of the cooking etc and has been understanding when I'm not up to doing much...

I have my booking appointment on Thursday! I'll be 10 weeks. Im so scared! I'm expecting my weight will come up (although I have lost a few lbs) but I'm mostly scared of needles, I've never had a blood test and can't even remember the last injection I had (probably primary school). My OH is coming with me so i know he'll calm me down. Does anyone else feel this way or am I just a massive baby?!

Hope everything is going well for everyone. Xx

@sprite25
I feel the same, I feel sick when I'm hungry but mine doesn't sound as bad as yours. I also can only eat certain things and they're not necessarily the healthiest (crisps, noodles). I'm worried about getting my belly out too, I hate my belly. X

I'm 15 weeks today with my second baby, and currently a size 18-20. With my first I had to have one appt with the consultant for my bmi and she signed me back off to midwife led care (which the midwife told me she would). Took increased folic acid and had a GTT which was fine. This time I'm consultant led due to under active thyroid and previous EMCS. Midwife has been lovely, has said slimming world is there if I want to take it up, but apart from that nothing. Blood pressure is always perfect and had no problems with the 12 week scan which I was worried about. I've lost 8lbs so far though

Just wanted to jump on for anyone in the early stages, I am currently 32 weeks, after my consultant telling me I would end up with diabetes, pre eclampsia and every other problem that may arise due to a higher BMI, I have been absolutely fine. DS is measuring large but DD was big baby to as DH and I are both tall and the lady that does the scans says its all fine! Cant wait to see my consultant in 2 weeks and say a big F you 😁🥳

Eskimod, don't worry. I was feeling so sick at my booking appointment (part nerves, part 'morning' sickness) and was dreading the 'oooo' at my weight, to be honest I've shoved a post it over my weight in the maternity notes! In the first trimester, I had to just eat when I felt hungry and ready salted crisps was what settled my stomach. I felt sick from the minute I woke up to last thing at night, my office drawer was filled with nuts, breadsticks and those biscuit bars so in the brief moment I felt a bit normal I'd have a snack. Also forcing myself to drink plenty of squash made me feel a bit more human. It does pass even though it mightnt feel it now x

@Nikkinoodle84 here's the thread I created for plus size mums.

Lots of ladies have experienced some negative comments etc so I hope we can all make each other feel better 😊 and also help with pregnancy symptoms etc.

Hope you find it useful 😊

I was size 16 before my pregnancy and now at 34+3 I am still size 16, only put on 4kgs in total so far. I got the scaremongering from the hospital team as I am also what they consider a geriatric mother (over 35). I was on aspirin 75mg up until week 12 and was placed back on it at week 28, 5mg folic until week 12 and Fragmin injections since week 32, apparently all standard procedure.

@Lizzieee2727
I think I'll fill my drawer full of snacks when I go back to work next week... hopefully that will get me through.

I'm counting down the days for my 12 week scan. I'm sure I'll feel better if I see a heart beat. I just hope it comes quickly after my booking appointment in Thursday! (I'll be 10 weeks on Thursday)

When did everyone call their Dr Surgery to make a booking in appointment?
I go on holiday at 7 weeks, it seems a bit early to ring before then, I'll be 9 weeks when I get back; is it OK to ring at 9 weeks?

@pinkpeoniesplease
I rang at about 4/5 weeks I think. But I got told to self refer so I didn't actually get to see a doctor. They just gave me a number to ring. I told them when I was going on holiday so they took that into account. I got back a couple of days ago.. My appointment is on thurs when I'll be 10 weeks. I would ring now but tell them you're on holiday and you'll probably have your appointment when you get back? Xx

Hi, just found this thread. I'm 14wks today and bmi 33. I'm also 35 so been told I have to have a consultant but there's no one ever been available to see me.
Has anyone else found it impossible to get the 5mg folic acid? My doctor won't prescribe it as he says the hospital effectively changed the prescription by suggesting to me that I ask for the higher dose. The hospital say it's my doctor's job to prescribe it 😕. Pretty much no point chasing it up now at this stage though I suppose.

@Doormat247 welcome!
Yeah I found it hard to get it because I couldn't get a doctors appointment. They said I didn't need to see a doctor. So I'm the end I had to request a prescription (I think it's the repeat prescription request) and then the doctor granted it. I didn't start taking it until late but was taking the lower dose until then. Yeah, I don't suppose there's much point in you getting it now as you're only supposed to take it until the end of the first trimester aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine on the lower dose. Xx

@catlady3 sorry you had a bad experience too. It's so awful when you already feel vulnerable. Definitely write your feedback down. I think you're right, DH reckons they put the best, most loveliest midwives in the hospitals and birthing centres and the least empathetic in the admin roles. The ones at the hospital were wonderful.

I had a visit from the healthcare midwife this week who told me to complain about the way the information was given to me. She said that 77% of the women she works with in the area (and she works with high bmi and smokers) have had normal vaginal births with little to no complications. She was so reassuring and said if I have any worries to just email her.

Eskimod, I genuinely found the time in between booking in appt and the scan flew by! I'd found out the day before I was due and that was technically 3 weeks. I made the booking appointment 2 days later and it was pretty much at 10 weeks, the time in between finding out and that appointment felt like an age but the days then flew by! Then booking the glucose test felt like ages away, the consultant appt further still. 20 weeks on Wednesday which feels like a massive achievement 😊

@eskimod my gp point blank refused to give me the prescription without a letter of consent from the hospital. He's also told me he won't discuss pregnancy with me as it's not an illness 🙄.
Yeah I think it's only for the first trimester.

I called midwife at 5 weeks ish. They told me I'd need the higher dose. I called the dr, they said that they couldn't prescribe it that the midwife would (midwives can't prescribe). My midwife was good, she called the practice and sorted it for me. It's just for the first 12 weeks.

Thanks @eskimod
Hi Ladies!
Just had a read back over the thread, some of you so luckycatching on 1/2 cycle. Me n partner were trying for 16 months. We had been referred to fertility clinic, partner gave his sperm sample and in the 2 week wait for his results we caught. His dr actually laughed when he told him. Were both overweight, I'm 18stone, wearing a size 22. My dr is lovely and referred me for blood tests etc before she even mentioned my weight, I had been trying to lose some and it was coming off slowly. However when I went to get referred to midwife I had to see a different dr, I wasnt do keen. I asked about the higher dose folic acid, she said the midwives will sort it, I did point out midwives dont prescribe, she wasnt arsed. Iv been taking the normal pregnancy vitamins and omega 3 sine we started etc, so iv just carried on. Figured it's better than nothing. I'm currently 5+4 with baby no.1, got my booking appt for 16/9 and booked an early scan so I can have peace of mind and be able to tell my brother on his birthday. I didnt really want to tell anyone, but I'm a nurse, so lots of my colleagues have put 2+2 together already. I'm on nights for a while, I'm hoping that works well with my symptoms, it's a bit easier going so I can take 5 if I need to.

I had my baby in December and we are trying to conceive number two.
I am in the obese category. I have been to the Dr twice about this since the birth and begged for help e.g. referral to a dietician or tests on my thyroid (mum has under active thyroid so I am wondering if this could be an issue.)
I exercise at least five days a week - circuit training, so not exactly light workouts. We eat really well in general, home cooked with plenty of veg. Now I am guilty of eating crap sometimes, and my biggest sin is wine (which I want to eliminate totally).
I have just been dismissed both times. I was told that the only option would be a gastric band. Great advice. I'm not that big and I am trying and motivated.
I am not taking any nonsense if we do manage to conceive again. They lecture but offer no real help. I am really disheartened.

Oh no I'm so shocked that GPs are being so awkward! Sorry you've had to deal with that. Maybe put in a complaint? Overweight women need the higher dose and for them to not prescribe it is totally out of order!
And actually asking for help with weight, diet etc and for them to turn you away?! How awful! Seems we can't do right for doing wrong! I honestly can't believe how many ladies are having bad experiences! I'm gearing up for it now, I'm determined not to let them do it to me, I'll put them in their place lol

I hate the way they assume you do no exercise. I genuinely work out loads to a high intensity. I think my culprits are wine and bread, but I wish I could get some help!
I also asked twice about physio for my pelvic floor...since having the baby I wet myself when I skip rope or do jumping jacks...she printed a leaflet off the internet and that was it. Nothing I don't know already. I dread having to be involved with medical people again, but I really want another baby!

Hi all. Hope everyone is well- i wanted to chip in! I am now 35+3, fell pregnant on honeymoon and had a booking in BMI of 41. I was a size 16-18 but pretty small and dense lol. My booking in wasn’t until 14 weeks and I had already put on about half a stone by then from constant hourly eating to stop the nausea!! I had lovely kind health professionals involved but they did still do a fair bit of scare mongering. However I have been having a totally normal pregnancy with healthy BP readings, passed GTT with flying colours, bump measuring perfectly right size, extra growth scans with consultants all spot on with an average sized baby. I do need to see the anaesthetist next week which I’m a bit nervous of, but seemingly it’s just precautionary. I also have been told if my BMI has gone past 45 by 40 weeks I may need to deliver in another hospital about 45 mins away (my local one is 5 mins away) but I’m truing not to stress, I have no idea how much weight I’ve put on. At the start I was convinced that I would have lots of complications and need to have C section as everything I read really frightened me, but with every appointment and every week that has passed I feel more confident in my body’s ability to do this naturally- even if it is a larger body! Fingers crossed I am right. Good luck to you all I will be following your journeys too! X

@Liverbird77
You're so good! Admittedly, I do little exercise apart from walking dogs and general day to day moving around as a teacher. So the fact that you do actual work outs is great! I just don't have the time! I also love bread, wine and cheese. And crisps! Lol. But on the whole I don't eat that bad, probably just at the wrong times etc. I've trying to be good since finding out I was pregnant but my appetite had taken a nose dive and I only want to eat certain things. I think I've lost 5 lbs up to now.
I can't believe they're not supporting you with your pelvic floor! 😟 it must be hard for you. My sister couldn't get seen for something before so she literally rang everyday until they sorted it. Maybe try that? Annoy them into referring you?! Apparently you can self refer in some cases but I've never done it... my cousin referred herself to a Gynaecologist because the doctor wouldn't... xx

@FirsttimerNI
Welcome and thanks for your message. It's great to hear about your experience. Keep us updated!!