Obese and pregnant

[Avearage]

So, I found myself here very unexpected 4th child..... We had a mishap and took the morning after pill but low and behold it failed..... I'm very overweight 19st and just know every appointment will be blighted with my bmi I'm trying to loose but for along time I've been unable to. Whilst this is a suprise pregnancy I'm quite excited now we always wanted 4 but we decided to stop at 3...... However this suprise had other plans!!
Any advice?? I remember my friend who was overweight having to inject herself daily I don't fancy that

My advice is relax. Obese and overweight people have babies all the time. Just because you are overweight, doesn't mean you will have to inject yourself or anything. You might find that you are more predisposed to complications, and might be classed as higher risk. You might also find that at scans you are embarassed to have the scan image not so clear because of 'adipose tissue' and some medical professionals can be less than tactful about this. But since you are already pregnant, the best you can do is just try to be as healthy as you can (have you been taking the folic acid, since this one is not planned? Would be good to start taking pregnancy vitamins now. You may also want to have weight management support to avoid putting on more weight in pregnancy.

@avearage join the club!
I was 16st and have lost 7lbs through vomitting and 1stone 6lbs prior to getting pregnant.
I am on 5mg folic acid plus healthy start vitamin . From 12 weeks I have to take 150mg aspirin at night to prevent pre eclampsia. I am classed as high risk but I am continuing to slowly lose and make better food choices. I am taking walks twice a week and will attend a pre natal physio class.
A glucose tolerance test and extra growth scans are on the cards too. You will be closely monitored. You can't change the past but you can make small changes now.

@Avearage I'm in the same boat. 4th baby, I was 19 stone at the beginning of January, started healthy eating after new year, now I'm 18st, 2lb. 4 weeks pregnant and sh**ing myself that the professionals will make me feel horrendous about it all.
I'm trying to see things positively though. Making healthy food choices and taking a daily walk to slowly increase my exercise levels. Ideally I want to get as much off (with healthy choices) by my booking appointment on the 24th Feb. Then manage my weight from then on.
Sending love to you, I know how it feels x

I've been put on 5mg folic acid too, I've alway had high bp even when I was thin but now obviously it's more of a concern..... Im really going to try hard but it feels like a loosing battle..... The only benefits being I wanted to keep it hush hush from work as in the 17 years I've been there all pregnancy news goes down like a led balloon..... So waiting until I have to say something..... I'm sure they won't be able to see it.... Or be as rude to ask

Also congratulations ladies on your pregnancy

I was in this position 2 years ago, I had to have the injections after birth for 10 days. If you're at risk they are important. Also being a 4th baby too for som reason.

I'm not particularly overweight (size 12) but I have been overweight in the past. I'm currently 15 weeks pregnant and have lost about 8lbs so far. I spoke to my midwife as I don't want to gain a silly amount of weight this pregnancy and she said it's fine to maintain for now and really I'd be fine not gaining too much towards the end so long as baby is growing well.

I'm eating about 1700 cals a day and that seems to work for me. I'll add another 200-300 cals in the third trimester.

If you ate well and stayed active you could actually end up weighing less that your pre-pregnancy weight when you've given birth.

Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy.

Hotpinkangel19
Is it weight that decides if your at risk or is there a test that decides I hate having to inject for migraine (lucky always migrean free during pregnancy)

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

I was 19st 12 when I conceived. Currently 32 weeks and 19st6! Mix of not eating due to sickness in 1st trimester and generally eating better/going off sweet stuff.

Scans before the one at 12 weeks had to be internal, but all have been external since. The quality isn’t quite as good as friends pictures, and it was quite uncomfortable at the 20 week scan as he led as close to my spine as he could!

BMi was mentioned by midwife at booking, but she was very lovely about it. It has triggered growth scans (28/32/36 weeks) and I had to have a GTT which was negative.

I am consultant led but that’s mainly because of a neuromuscular disease I have. I had to meet with an anaesthetist so they could check whether epidural was an option and what they would be able to do in an emcs. I also take 150mg of aspirin daily.

Weight was mentioned at my first consultant appointment and I was offered a referral to a dietician (didn’t feel I needed so politely declined).

Don’t know about birth choices as I was always going to be induced on the labour ward, so not a choice I was ever given!

The thought of scans makes me cringe with embarasment..... That some else has to see what I've become in fairness the Dr I've seen due to BP was very nice he didn't make a deal over it but we know having a baby means dignity goes out of the window at times and it's all layed bare lol......
I was overweight with my last but not as much so although I had extra scans that was all I overcame the poor images by literally filling my bladder to beyond belief so baby was pushed up a fair amount.
Keyboard91 that means baby very soon do you know what your having?

Just re read a boy "he" xx congrats xx hubby so wants this one to be a boy ...... I hope he's not disappointed

I'm 27 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I'm over 18 stone. I've not put any weight on during the pregnancy as I've been suffering with sickness.
I was worried about trying for a baby being overweight but was told by my GP lots of women have children who are bigger.
All the midwifes and doctors I have seen have all been lovely. On the scans they have had to push hard on my tummy and explained it can be difficult to get a clear image. Once I got to 20 weeks the image became much clearer.
I have a bump but I wouldn't say I look pregnant. I have really been feeling the baby move past few weeks, I didn't feel him/her around 20 weeks like my friends who were telling me it should be happening but everyone is different.
I do have to take tinzaparin injections every morning which I don't really like but this is due to the fact I had a mini stroke when I was younger and I'm at risk of pre-eclampsia. I also have to take 150mg of Asprin a day. My local hospital are taking good care of me. I was told at week 9 I was classed as high risk but the weight wasn't the main reason why.

My BMI was 35 in my first pregnancy and 32 in my second. When my BMI was 35 I had consultant appointments, an extra growth scan and a gestational diabetes test. All came back negative. I found during pregnancy for about the first time in my life I felt more able to manage my diet - sickness and heart burn made it hard to eat and I was about 1kg lighter at 36 weeks than at booking in. I think many of the risks can be managed during pregnancy as well as before. It isn't too late!

I'm really hoping this is the case for me although no sickness my appitite has reduced and changed from alot of sweet choices..... I know I'm being sent to the consultant hoping they will be happy for midwife led.

Hey =)
My booking BMI was 40 (which I know is super high >< but thing is, I just look kinda overweight, im really tall and have always been heavy even when slim in my teens) I always wanted to lose weight before having a baby but, I didnt manage to lose the weight I wanted to, and plus the time just felt right to have a baby =)
My weight has never really been mentioned at any of my appointments. My scans have always been clear. I had to go for the sugar test (negative), and it was mentioned at my first midwife appointment that I may need Aspirin but that never really occurred.
The only time that my weight came into play was when I mentioned that I would like a water birth, and I was told that due to my BMI that would not be possible. If an emergency happens I would not be able to get out of the pool as quick as smaller ladies.
I have had a few extra growth scans but all have fallen within average measurements, and also had to have an appointment with the anaesthetist to make sure that my hands and my back were easy to get needles into =D
Tbh, regardless of weight, everyone is different and carries their weight differently. The midwife may suggest things to do if she feels there will be a risk factor, but you won't really know until you get there =) Hope it goes well!