Any plus size mamas to be out there?

[JLM1008]

Hi

Is there any ladies who are plus size and expecting? I’m a size 22 and my bmi is 48. I’m only 4wks 3days along but wondered how you’re feeling? This is baby #3 but I was a couple of stone lighter with my last 2. I’m already struggling with my clothes because my boobs have gone up a full cup size already and I feel a bit down about the way I look. 😩 I’m also conscious that I won’t really have a baby bump until I’m at least a few months along because I have a big tummy.

[DiscordandRhyme]

I'm on my 3rd and final baby and am 8+5.

My BMI is around 35/36.

How are you coping with the heat?

[Sausage1990]

Hi I'm just going to add my photos to this if that's okay... I can't tell if there is progress in 14dpo or if its just that days 12 & 13 are dry now... 😕

[Dreamcatcher34]

Pretty much exactly the same stats as you OP. I’m 22 weeks and have only put on a couple of pounds, by some miracle. I always feel a bit ashamed, particularly when BMI is mentioned as a risk factor, but it is what it is. I’ve been more poorly this pregnancy than in my previous two and I sometimes feel like I’m going to pass out and have to have a lie down. But that could be an age thing too. Plus every pregnancy is different.

Hope your pregnancy goes well.

[Darcy86]

@JLM1008 I think cramps are quite normal, especially if just uncomfortable not really painful. For me, PMS and early pregnancy symptoms were almost identical and cramps were something I got on and off for quite a few weeks! I am 12+4 now.

[JLM1008]

Thanks guys

I called the midwife today and she said if it becomes too uncomfortable to ignore or too painful then to give her a call and they will get me in for an early scan. I struggle with anxiety anyway so I’m aware that I’m probably hyper aware of every little niggle. I just don’t remember it from my last 2. It feels more like a twanging sensation When I walk. I can feel it but it doesn’t bother me. She said most likely stretching ligaments.

[Foreverbaffled]

@JLM1008 sounds so much like ligament pain. I’ve got the same but also had it in my last pregnancy so haven’t been too worried. Obviously go and get checked though if you need some peace of mind :)

[Foreverbaffled]

@Sausage1990 congratulations on your BFP! I wouldn’t be worried about really obvious line progression, especially on ICs. There are so many other variables that could impact (how dehydrated you are, how dilute your wee is etc) so as long as you have no bleeding or major cramping I’d enjoy the moment. I do think your 14dpo is darker though! :)

[Sausage1990]

Thank you all for your reassurance about the line progression. Its been really reassuring and I'm guna try to chill the F out a bit 😂 thank you xxx

[JLM1008]

Thanks @Foreverbaffled I’ve booked an early private scan for a week on Sunday too. I’ll be 6w5d so should be able to check everything is ok. Just for my own peace of mind.

[Foreverbaffled]

@JLM1008 that sounds really sensible :) Exciting too. I had a reassurance scan at that point in my first pregnancy and definitely helped me relax.

[CooperLooper]

Hopping on, me too! I was worried about being overweight and pregnant but it's actually been fine so far.

23 weeks this week, starting BMI I think was around 38 and starting weight 17 stone and 9lbs, I'm 5'7''. I've only put 3lbs on so far which I'm happy with. I'm not dieting but have tried to eat smarter and walk more.

Been monitoring my blood sugars since week 12 for GD, but finally managed to push for a repeat blood test as my readings are always fine and I'm fed up with all the scaremongering about induction at 37 weeks and complications etc etc. Would love to get that little metaphorical GD label removed from my notes! Just waiting for my latest results.

It's only this week I've started to notice more of a bump popping out, I carry all of my weight in my stomach area so knew it would be a while before it became noticeable. The shape of my belly fat is definitely still very pronounced so I'm not really expecting a round bump for weeks, even now. I have one of those annoying B-shaped bellies! Boobs have gone enormous but what's another cup size at this stage hey 😅

It's my first baby and I've felt movements from around 19 weeks.

Starting to huff and puff a bit more now walking uphills and stairs, probably combined baby weight and chub taking its toll now but I'm still feeling a solid 9/10. No sign of pelvic pain or anything yet.

My midwife and consultant care has been good and respectful so far, nobody has made me feel ashamed or uncomfortable. I was given a referral to a voluntary weight management support group bollocks thing in the beginning, but never got a call back, just got a letter in the post recently to say they'd never spoken with me so was closing the referral!

[Addler]

Just had my 25 week midwife appointment and BP/urine all fine so that's good. Also was able to hear baby's heartbeat, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to because of my size but as soon as she put the Doppler on there it was straight away. Although if I had known that was going to happen I wouldn't have worn a dress that had to be pulled up to my boobs

She also called the hospital for me as she made a referral in May to see the consultant because of my BMI and because of an operation I had a couple of years ago, but they never got in touch, so seeing them on Thursday now. She thinks they'll put me on heparin injections which I'm not looking forward to I only had them for 6 weeks after my operation and they were awful.

[Snorlax86]

Hi all

Glad to have found this, I’m 34, BMI also 34! Currently 12 weeks, I can’t work out if I have a bump forming or it’s still a bloat, I suspect I won’t look pregnant and probably just look like I’ve put on more weight. I have PCOS and diabetes run in the family so I’m quite scared I will get GD and there’s doesn’t really seem to be anyway to prevent now (all the advice seems to be, be a healthy weight before you get pregnant).

[Sausage1990]

@Snorlax86 please don't worry about gestational diabetes. It's a very manageable condition and knowing about it can help prevent baby getting too big. They don't necessarily make you have the baby early, they will let you go to term if it's safe to do so, but they don't let you go over so you at least know baby will be here by their due date 😊

I'm a dietitian and I do an antenatal clinic for ladies with diabetes in pregnancy - all types including gestational diabetes. I promise its not so bad just alot of monitoring. Xx

[Sausage1990]

Also I see people get GD at all shapes and sizes, including very slim people, and as family history is one of the biggest factors it is difficult to avoid if that's the card you're dealt. But please don't be afraid. I've seen so many ladies manage beautifully, have positive births & healthy babies 💕

[Snorlax86]

Thank you so much @Sausage1990

[JLM1008]

I’ve already put 5lbs on! I’m only 5 weeks and I haven’t been eating any extra food in fact I’ve eaten less! 😭

[BronzeSilverGold13]

Hiya ladies, hope were all doing well today!

I've had a bit so nice comment today from my DM! I told her that I really enjoyed having a few skittles every now and then at the moment! Her response was "carry on like that you'll be as big as a house" I'm not that far along for a start! I know I'm not the healthiest eater but In general I don't snack but I've really enjoyed a few skittles in the last few days! I'm still on the same bag as 2 days ago!

Am I being over sensitive? I just feel so much pressure to be healthier than normal because people in my life judge so easily!

[Teapotdespot]

Hi all, BMI 45, 3rd pregnancy but 2 ended in miscarriage before 6 weeks and I also have PCOS, so we've been trying 5 years.

I'm 6+2 based on when i know I ovulated. I've had 2 scans so far due to one sided pain and early blood loss, first scan was just a thick lining, 2nd was a gestational sac in the right place (last Saturday). They're scanning me again on Saturday where we're hoping to see a yolk sac and possibly even a fetal pole and heartbeat.

I have a b shaped belly so expecting not to really have a bump, loving the bump photos though!

[Teapotdespot]

@BronzeSilverGold13 i will never understand why mothers of big women think it's appropriate to police their eating. Mine used to do it too until i told her I didn't want to spend time with her if all she could talk about was my weight. She made an effort to stop. She started up again when she found out about my miscarriages and this pregnancy, but I've told her in no uncertain terms that she doesnt own my body and doesnt get to decide what i put in it, whether that's food or a baby!

[BronzeSilverGold13]

@Teapotdespot my DM is very opinionated, she definitely believes that her way is the best! She was still trying to put me on a diet at 18/19...

I suppose it make things harder because we work together....I just had to ring the midwife self referral team, I got a user busy tone she said "call the back, keep calling until they answer" I said "yes I know what user busy means!" She then went in a strop because I "snapped" at her trying to help! I fear I'm going to be In for a long road ahead of her thinking I'm incapable of making my own decisions! I totally I understand that she's trying to come from a good place but i am fed up with her telling me what I should eat and what I should wear!

Rant over, sorry ladies!

[Teapotdespot]

@BronzeSilverGold13 nip that in the bud now, your body, your baby, your rules. Mines the same, super opinionated and seems to believe im still 12. I'm 29 with a mortgage and a husband! She grabbed my hand to cross the road the other day!

Working together is probably not helping as you said!

Also, my mum started me on low fat diets aged 7, I was on slimfast shakes at 9... then she wonders how i ended up with disordered eating, PCOS and a horrific relationship with food!

[Sheera1]

Yes my DM has a real problem with food herself. Basically has starved herself her whole life. Yes she is tiny and skinny and her hand ups she passed on to me but pushed me the opposite way. When I look back at pics of a very skinny young me 16/17/18 and she used to say I needed to lose weight it makes the blood boil. It is her hang up not mine. Do have very unforgv9jg Gene's from my dad's mum and can out on weight looking at food. To lose it I need to excercise a lot and eat very little.

My diet is actually very healthy. My issue is alcohol and portion size and not exercising enough. I lost 10 stone 8 years ago being very focussed (and divorcing). I broke my foot and the gym stopped and I out it all back on with crazy ease! Not making excuses for myself as I know I am lazy too, but my sis and I would go to slimming class eating the same and exercising the same and I would put a pound on and she would lose 4.
I find comments to lose weight from my parents really pushes me the other way. We know we are heavier. We know it better than anyone. It doesn't need to be said as if that is the miracle to spur us into action.

[Sheera1]

I promise to all the new mums on here with B bellies. You will get a nice bump. It might take a wee while to show on first pregnancy but will def get there. I had a wee hanging apron under mine but only anyone seeing me naked saw that and that was DP and medical staff only.

[Sausage1990]

So sorry to hear so many of you have tricky mothers around weight. My mam is slim too and always has been a size 10-13 but has always been on diets my whole life. As has every other female in my family. When I started to want to go on diets it was encouraged, not in an unkind way but okay let's do this together... But I've the years as I've failed my eating got worse and the disordered eating because a huge issue for me. I look back now and get so frustrated because the me that started dieting was a size 10 and I cannot believe that my mother, aunties, grandma etc all just supported me & my twin sister wanting to lose weight. I'm very grateful that after some hard discussions with the support of my councellor I managed to get my mum to understand by disordered eating and these last few years she's really come to understand my mindset. Health is not just about the physical it's also the mental. I am much healthier in my bigger body (size 18) and eating better than I was in a smaller body (size 14), binging in secret and excessively restricting in public. I'm more at peace now with my body than I was at a size 10 or 12. I'm happier for it. The other day I really realised how far she'd come when I said I would like to be a little slimmer but I'm in no rush... Her reply was it doesn't really make a difference what size you are as long as you look after yourself and are happy, thats the most important part 💕💪🏻

And we must all remember that our babies won't have to go through what we went through because we will show them and teach them that size does not define your worth 💕