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

I got some H&M maternity ones this week.. they're amazing! £9.99 for three pairs x

I know what you mean about knickers but I don't really have any recommendations, sorry!

I had my scan today. She was pressing really hard on my belly! Didn't expect it to be that uncomfortable! Maybe it was because of my flab 😂 but heart beat was seen and it had a little wiggle. She put me back a day from what I calculated so my new due date is 28th March 2020. Had bloods done again which was rubbish but they managed to get blood from my arm this time!

Eskimod, what a lovely clear scan! I was surprised how hard they pressed too and how low down it was lol
20 week scan was definitely more gentle... So very exciting :-)

Thanks for the knicker tips, I think I might see about under bump knickers and one of those bump support bands, so I'll hopefully feel more secure and supported.

@Lizzieee2727 @eskimod The guy pressed super hard for my 12 week scan too 😳 I actually felt a bit bruised the next couple of days!

Hi ladies, hope you're all well!
Just a quick one, how much weigh have people lost/gained?
I'm only 13 weeks but have already lost 11lbs! X

Ye I lost a stone and half in first 15 weeks which was great 😂 currently 28 weeks and gained 8 lbs so I'm still at over a stone loss x

@eskimod I'm 14 weeks and have lost about a stone. However as I type this I'm munching my way through a tonne of crisps 😳 I'm still feeling really sick & just eat what I can when I can!

I haven't even checked, I've been making sensible decisions but I refuse to give myself a hard time if I gain weight. I lost 6 stone last year and I definitely haven't gained that back!

I'm not trying to lose weight, I'm just struggling to eat much. I often don't want to eat and when I do, I can only eat crisps, bread, chips. I'm trying to make sensible choices but it's so hard when you really don't feel like eating anything! I'm taking pregnacare but I'm sure this isn't enough... I'm not giving myself a hard time, I just don't want to be unhealthy for the babies stake- not eating much isn't very healthy! X

What I was told was that baby gets first dibs on whatever you eat so you only get the leftovers. If you were deficient you'd feel the brunt of it not baby, they'll take what they need from you if they have to.

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver that's good know! I hope that is the case!

To be honest I've not been weighed since the booking appointment, actually maybe at scan too but I've not worried about it. I've stuck a post it over the entry in my folder, don't need the negativity!

Anyone else being plagued by glucose tolerance tests? I had one at 28 weeks, all fine, then had my second growth scan, baby is above the 95th percentile so they're sending me for another? I really didn't enjoy the first one and it kind of feels like they're going to send me every 3 weeks.

Hi ladies, can I ask for recommendations for plus size maternity clothes? I had a look on my catalogue and they only had a couple of tops in my size! But I'm going to need a more flexible waist band for leggings and Jean's, and would be nice to be able to get a nice dress or 2.

I got leggings from Mothercare, dresses and tops from new look, they run to a 20 if that helps at all?

@Nikkinoodle84
Have you tried ASOS? I got some nice dresses from there 😊

It depends what size you need. If you are up to an 18 then there are a few around. Mothercare go to a 20.

If you are over a size 20 (or a 20 and want some room), it does seem to be really limited. ASOS have some and some of the plus size catalogues (like Curvissa) do. Otherwise, there are quite a lot on Bon Prix (only found them as they were shown as the brand on another site) and on Yours Clothing.

No flutters at this end, but I think I just skipped that. I do not feel little movements, but I can definitely feel when she is having a wriggle and changing position - depending on which direction she moves I get pain to the side of my 'bump', but then I've been getting them since I was 12 weeks! I can tell whether she is lying down before having the scan as it just feels like she is too long and pushing out the side.

No flutters for me either! I sometimes feel a pulse or twitch but I'm not sure what it is. I am only 15 weeks though. Can't wait for my early gender scan!

Thanks girls, I'm a 22/24 which is why I'm struggling, decided I'm going to go into a shop and try and 20 as I need the bigger sizes for my belly, so I may get away with it? But I'll check all those out. Thank you for the suggestions x

Yours clothing have a maternity range, I haven't actually bought anything from them but their non maternity things are decent!

Dorothy Perkins goes to a 22 and I’m finding they are bigger than normal so fit me nicely (was a 24 before). Not sure about actual trousers as I refuse to wear them lol. Yours does maternity but I’m reluctant to try them as some of their sizing in non-maternity was awful!

Heard heartbeat today at 15+1 so I’m happy :) also really happy that my bump looks a little like a bump despite my weight :) have lost 13lb so far, 4 lb between my 12 week scan (12+1) and today. Not sure how as I seem to be eating constantly! Yet consultant still wanted to send me to dietician 🙄🙄🙄

I got some dresses in the Next Sale this summer and I'm a 20/22 at the mo. Doesn't help my boobs are now 38JJ / K too! Have been wearing Jersey dresses and leggings or maxi skirts and nice tops. I'm a University administrator so have to be semi smart but also got lucky with a few things on ebay - new look maternity jeans for £5!

@Jessicaroseday you might find this thread useful?

hi all I haven't checked mumsnet for a while but good to see everyone on this thread seems to be doing fine! @eskimod your scan picture is really cute :) here's my 12 week scan (3 weeks ago now!)

I never weigh myself at home, dont even own scales, it's much better for my mental health. I got weighed at my booking appointment (8 weeks) & at the 12 week scan and weighed exactly the same, pretty sure I was the same weight around the time I got pregnant too. Which is cool because I've been eating a lot of chocolate and doing minimal exercise in the last month

@Crimearino here you go x