plus size mums

[elliemcx]

Hi everyone,

I was ill with breast cancer a few years ago and put on over four stone over treatment. When treatment finished i tried everything to lose weight but it just wasnt coming off. After a year or so i went to get blood tests and i had hypothyroidism caused by treatment and also had been on anti depressants that also caused weight gain. I weaned myself off the anti d’s and started on levothyroxine and i’ve lost a few pounds but i guess my body has just gone through a lot and the weight still isn’t dropping off that quickly!

In other news, i just found out i’m pregnant, i can not express how happy i am, seven weeks so i know it’s early days but there were no guarantees i was even fertile anymore after everything! I’m just so delighted and hope for the best.

I had a doctors appointment and she was happy but said because of my weight which is about 18 stone and BMI of about 38 size 20/22 that it runs a whole range of problems from miscarriage to diabetes to early labor etc. I’m so worried now, and wonder has anyone any words of encouragement or good outcomes at a heavier weight? I should also say, i have a very clean diet, low sugar, and i do plenty of exercise!!!

Thanks girls and good luck to everyone

Congratulations first of all. Exciting times ahead. I have a bmi of 40, currently 35 weeks pregnant and my weight hasn’t played any part in my pregnancy. No gestational diabetes, no high blood pressure, Have been having regular growth scans and baby is 50th percentile. I also know this isn’t everyone’s journey though and I just wish they would treat everyone as individuals we are after all so different plus size or not. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

thanks positivebex,

I totally agree, i wish they would just give the information in a clear way but realise that we are all individuals.

I'm very excited, just going to try and block out the negatives and concentrate on doing the right things for myself and the baby.

Another BMI of 40 here. I took high dose folic acid at the start and low dose aspirin until last week. I'm 36 weeks now. No gestational diabetes and at the moment no signs of preeclampsia or anything like that. I've had additional growth scans that show I'm having a big boy but me and DH are tall so this isn't a surprise, he's transverse at the moment so likely to have an ELCS. I've had two tests for gestational diabetes which are a pain but everything with the wee guy is just as it should be. My biggest pregnancy complaint has been pelvic girdle pain but there's every chance I would have developed that anyway.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. High BMI increases the risks of some complications but it's important to remember that in the majority of cases everything is still completely fine.

Hi OP,

Firstly, wonderful news! Congratulations.

I have a BMI of 40 and have had no gestational diabetes and no other symptoms relating to weight whatsoever and I'm 35 weeks.

Everything has been very straight forward and not the horror story I was sold when I first met my midwife and told about all the things that can go wrong when you have a high BMI.

Good luck!

Congratulations!

I had a BMI of 41 at booking in. I did have some problems, whether they were weight related or not who knows but they probably were connected.

Took high dose folic acid from before conception and aspirin after booking in appt.

I was diagnosed with gestation diabetes at 35 weeks following having ketones in my urine at a standard midwife appointment. I'd had two precious tests before then.

My waters broke at 34 weeks (apparently PPROM is linked to both weight and gestational diabetes). I had an induction and EMCS at 36 weeks.

The section was challenging for the surgeons I think because I have a significant fat apron. They rigged up a contraption to hold it up and I got a fancy vacuumed dressing that I think really helped the healing and lack of infection.

But importantly at no point was my weight an issue. I was always very straight forward about it and no one ever made me feel bad.

thanks for
all the information ladies. I am feeling more positive today. Good luck to everyone with their pregnancies. xxx