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

@Absa welcome! Fingers crossed you get your PFP soon!

I would suggest going to get the higher dose whilst you're TTC. It's recommend you start taking it before you are pregnant x

@CuriousC32 welcome! Congratulations!

I'm only 10w3d and have only just had my booking appointment. My BMI is 33 and my MW didn't suggest anything to me so I'm sorry I can't help you there!

I'm 44 (in 3 days!), size 18 and pregnant for the first time time (5 weeks), and according to most things you read should have been dead already! Reading this thread with interest having only joined today! No nieces/nephews and not being a typical 'baby type' of woman, with lots of non child bearing friends means I have very little experience to draw on for this! Hoping it all goes ok (just read 1 in 2 pregnancies at my age end in miscarriage :-( ), and looking forward to learning more here

RuthieN75, congratulations! Have you got your booking appointment yet? It's normally around 9 weeks or so and mine was with the midwife who went through everything as I'm high risk (weight, family diabetes and anxiety / depression). She was fab though and didn't give me any crap for having a high BMI, just told me to he careful in eating healthy. At your appointment, I'm sure they'll run through all the risks (as they have to) but remember they are the worst case scenarios. Best of luck to you!

Thanks Lizzieee2727, yes I've had my first appointment with midwife as I also need to take blood thinners due to an existing condition. She was lovely, and I have already been referred to a consultant. Just taking it day by day and doing the best I can to eat healthily. Luckily I'm pretty active, so they cant moan I don't do enough exercise lol x

That's all you can do really. I found the wait until the scan dragged so much, I was almost counting down the days and every time I was retching or being sick was a sign that I really was pregnant and Squiggle was making themselves known. Once the first scan was out of the way, it's felt a little easier and I'm slightly more relaxed about it all.

@Keyboard91 I had early scans as well which were done internally, but in the early stages they have to be as that is the only way to get a clear imagine.

By 12 week scan it is abdominal and as far as I know there is no option of internal instead. Mine was a little more difficult as I carry my weight on my stomach (rather than being a pear I have a beer belly!) but I still got a good imagine.

I ended up with a repeat 12 week scan, but that had nothing to do with weight and everything to do with a little monkey who would not lie in the position they wanted her to - they couldn't actually do the nuchal test as she just would not do what they want whatever they tried.

It is interesting that no-one seems to have been pushed towards a c-section.

For some reason, I had convinced myself that between my BMI and my pre-existing high blood pressure that they would just tell me that I have to have a c-section.

Hi mums to be,
I had a first meeting with my midwife today. Not the booking meeting, this was just a 20minute hello and weight, height, bloods.
They were So So nice, was really relieved, got my booking appointment next week, but I have the same midwife for all these appointments so I really happy. I don't think she'll make me feel bad for my weight (obviously tell me the facts of higher risks etc).
My booking appointment next week is actually at my house! Has anyone else got this?
I've booked an early scan on Sunday too as going abroad so wanted extra reassurance, can't wait!!
Congrats to you all :) x

@CornishMaid1 far from it, I've been told that so long as I don't develop any other conditions then I can deliver in the AMU (midwife led unit) at the hospital and even have a water birth! Not what I expected at all.

My midwife too is lovely. She said her aim is for me to have a natural birth, and for me to be the same weight after birth as I am now. My first appointment was at the doctors (usually done at 6 weeks, but I had mine asap due to other health conditions), where she took bloods and urine sample. The next appointment is at my house, where I'll be 8 weeks. Been told my daying scan is 21st Oct, cant wait!

Morning lades, just came across this link and thought it might be of interest. It's about the actual evidence on the risks associated with "plus size birth" and I think it makes a really good point. The risk may be higher compared to those at "normal weight", but if the underlying risk is quite small, then even doubling it (for example), you still end up with a fairly low risk overall. plusmommy.com/plus-size-pregnancy-risks/

@RuthieN75 Wow that is early in. I only got seen at 9 weeks to book in as they had a cancellation. Other than dating scan, I am not being seen now until 16 weeks and then no consultant until about 20 weeks, even with bad blood pressure.

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver That is really interesting. I was told no midwife led unit and no water birth as it has to be in the hospital delivery suite. I may have to ask them again.

@CornishMaid1 I am on blood thinners for previous DVTs, including a triple pulmonary embolism! I was on Rivoroxiban, but that hasnt been tested enough to be declared safe in pregnancy, so I'm having to do a daily Clexane injection. I have my home visit from the midwife on 16th Sept, dating scan 21st Oct and consultant appointment on 22nd Oct, so at 12 weeks.

Hi all, I had my anaesthetist appointment this week (37+1 today) and it was absolutely fine, despite my stressing about it . She was super lovely. Just looked in my mouth for any loose teeth etc and checked neck, in case I ever needed to be intubated for general anaesthetic but she said this rarely happens and is not any more likely to happen to me because of my BMI, but more can be complicated by large neck mass if it did happen. Anyway i was fine. She felt my spine and said she could feel all my Dural spaces so there would be no issue with an epidural. She did give some general advice about not waiting for too long if you want an epidural. She said the ideal time is when you’re about 4 or 5cm dilated to ensure you get max effect from it, and to allow them time to top up if necessary. I’m still not sure if I would have one, will decide at the time but was good to know. So if anyone else is panicking like me that it’s going to be another judgement session or that you will be forced to do something you don’t want, please don’t! I had booking BMI of 40 and she said everything was totally normal.

Ladies... Can I ask when you first felt rhe baby move? I'm 22 weeks on Wednesday and haven't felt anything yet. I also have IBS so the butterflies is something I can attribute to eating something I shouldn't so I might have felt something but certainly not everyday. I know technically it's still in the realms of normal, NHS says up to 24 weeks is OK, just worried that because I'm fatter it's going to be ages. I have a growth scan at 28 weeks but just feels ages away and I'm just worried something could be wrong and I won't know 😢

@Lizzieee2727 do you know what position your placenta is in? When do you next see your midwife?

Hi smartcarnotsosmartdriver, I'm seeing the midwife on Wednesday afternoon actually. I think the sonographer said the placenta was top left as you look at me?

I know if it's at the front it can cushion a lot of the movement you would feel. If you're seeing her soon I would tell her and mention that you're concerned so that she can reassure you.

Thank you 😊 I'll have a chat to her.

Hi everyone, congratulations to you all. I’m currently 28+5 and my BMI was 36 at my booking in appt. it was very similar when I had my son 2 years ago and I was High Risk. My BP also ran at the higher end of normal though and that’s what they focussed on. I had a non medicated, vaginal birth with no complications, although I was induced on my due date as per an agreement I made with my consultant who had originally suggested induction at 36 weeks for no real reason. That’s a whole other story though.

This pregnancy I’m still high risk because of my BMI but other than extra growth scans at 32 and 36 weeks it’s had no impact on this pregnancy. My midwife is lovely and never makes me feel bad because of my weight, although I have taken 5mg folic acid and aspirin in both pregnancies. Please don’t let your weight make you not enjoy your pregnancy, if a medical professional makes you feel bad tell them it’s not ok. You may be bigger but you’re still a person and worthy of respect.

@JustMe81 thanks for telling your story! Really reassuring 😊

How is everyone else? I have my scan on Wednesday! So nervous but also can't wait x

The flutters have started! Feels like blowing bubbles ❤️
After a horrible evening last Tuesday where I ended up at the hospital with excruciating pulling pains (obviously thought the worst), after the nicest midwife and doctors checked me over - doctor was like a bearded Idris Elba with the most relaxing voice, they deemed it to be a combination of the ligaments stretching, likely strained muscles and a very active wriggler. New midwife on Wednesday echoed what they'd said the night before and had a poke around and said everything was as it should be. Told me not to worry about not feeling anything as we were still well in the normal range not to feel anything but Friday morning felt very definite not wind feelings. Has been every hour or so since! Also went to see The Book of Mormon on Friday and the flutters were so obvious, clearly baby has their father's taste!

Also, different topic... Can I talk knickers? Hear me out... Everything rolls down and drives me potty, I've bought the granny pants from tesco that I thought would be OK but they're now rolling down. Any recommendations?

I have big cotton pants (M&S) but I put them under my bump to start with so they don't get a chance to roll. I've found them pretty comfy so far (30 weeks).