Any High BMI, obese mums to be??

[oopsydaisyyy]

Hi everyone,

Im currently pregnant 10wk today. I was losing weight before I found out I was pregnant and it was a surprise BFP as drs were convinced I had PCOS.

Really anxious as my BMI is still over 50! So wanted to start this thread to see if theres anyone else in a similar situation? Lets ride the waves together ladies

Thanks @lilymty I'd not thought about things healing slower too but now you mention it I've had that as well. The cracks on my hands from eczema have taken weeks to heal up

Has anyone stopped taking pregnacare, it was making so blocked up, I was feeling ill?

I've stopped taking it and feel loads better.

My bmi was 35.8 at booking. Nothing was mentioned and im community MW led. What i am noticing this time as opposed to previous pregnancies they are struggling to scan. Ive asked if its because of my tummy and they kind of brush over it with no reply but its 4th scan before 15 weeks and the picture itsnt clear. Baby isnt in best position so they struggle to get measurements, i wish sonographer would tell me if its because of my weight but not sure if it is.

Has anyone else experienced poor scanning?

@Sunsetswim yep! My BMI was 37 at booking 5ft 9 and 17 stone, I think most of my weight is on my stomach really, anyway from my first nhs scan the dating and nuchal scan things weren't great and haven't got much better! The 12 week scan they couldn't get the NT measurement, so I went without this test, the 20 week scan, they couldn't see the heart, face or spine so asked me to come back at 23 weeks, at 23 weeks they still couldn't see the spine... I paid for a couple of private scans throughout and although they have been better than the nhs ones they've never been clear, just had one this week at 27 weeks and still couldn't really get any clear images, but they said everything looks great ( which is of course the main thing)... and pointed out what body parts where which etc ( still none the wiser) unfortunately I think this must be down to my stomach - but you do hear of many people with BMI's much higher having great clear images 🤷🏻‍♀️

@ElaineC82

Thanks for your reply. Yea thats pretty much same experience as me. I dont enjoy scans moreso this time as they feel so rushed and i know sonographer is frustrated, maybe im overthinking.

I paid for private nipt test this week because of them not being able to get neck measurement although this was doem to babys position.

I think some people who have higher bmi maybe dont have as much weight on tummy, maybe thats why they scan better

@fartymcfart Not had any problems with taking multivitamins, maybe try some fybogel or other high fibre drink to keep things running smoothly.

Thanks @Chelyanne, I'll keep trying at different times. See if that makes any difference. I'll get some of the stuff you suggested just in case.

Hi everyone, can I join? I have a BMI of 40, am very tall (5”10) but overweight. My weight is fairly evenly distributed but I’m worrying about scans etc due to size. Quite a way to go until my private 8 week scan, I’m only 5 weeks, but I’m already feeling apprehensive for various reasons.

@Asthenia Hey! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm exactly the same 5ft 10" and BMI 40.... I won't lie to you I've not had the best of experiences but that doesn't mean yours won't be different. My advice is don't be disheartened if they can't get clear pictures and call you back for a second scan, just take it as lucky you can see baby twice!

Has anyone else been told not to gain any weight during pregnancy? I weighed myself (stupidly) last night and my scales can be a bit dodgy but it says I'm at least 4lb heavier than I was a month or two ago. I'm only 21 weeks so can't see myself making it to the end at the same weight, as surely that would actually mean losing a fair amount of my weight to balance out the weight of baby and other things? I'm sure I gained about a stone last pregnancy but this came off a few days post birth.

Ive defintely struggled with scans this pregnancy despite being around stome lighter than previous.

Its not an enjoyable experience. I got harmony test done and had to have it redone due to insufficent fetal dna. What i read onlinr was weight plays afactor but noone would tell me this in the clinic. I just wish they would give me facts. I got vloods and scan redone yesterday and asked sonographer directly could weight be factor to which she said yes. She said theres are lots of woman who having much highter bmis and weigh more who complain scan pics arent clear. She said its much easier whe woman understag weighy round tummy can impact scans. I said I find itsbecause medical staff feel ackward saying this i would much rather they were clearer and didnt dance round things.

Hi all, just wondering if any of you where prescribed aspirin, I've made a new thread but thinking it's likely some of you in here have probably been prescribed it for similar reasons as me, just wondering if you've been given more info than me on it, I know it's for preventative reasons for pre eclampsia - but I've been reading that it's associated with heavy bleeding in childbirth 😩- I'll defo ask at my next appointment- just looking for experiences x

@KHR1 I had a five minute consultant phone call back at about 15 weeks or so and I asked about weight gain, they told me to try and keep it under 9kg. There doesn't seem to be any standard advice!

Hi ladies, I am FTM, 35 weeks along and my BMI is 40, unfortunately with a lot of it carried around my middle. C-section for various reasons has been suggested by my consultant but nothing decided yet. Obviously will go for whatever is safest for baby and myself at the time but I'm worried about needing a section - especially wound healing afterwards with high bmi and also if they will have difficulty doing the spinal. Cam anyone who has had a csection with previous births give any advice? Would very much appreciate it!

Hi all the new joiners!

has anyone thought about birth, they are saying I will need to be induced due to my age, I've already had 2 (out of 3) induction births (both at 42 weeks) and really don't want too have another.

They are also pushing a epidural (not had one before previous births just gas and air). I've read that this will make it more likely i'll need intervention eg forceps which is making me so anxious I feel sick (I'm not normally an anxious person at all), this is also much higher percentage to end up with a EMCS.

I feel that if I am going to have epidural then I should just go straight for the CS, especially as all my other babies didn't want to come out on even when overdue, and this one they will be evicting early or on due date? I understand this will be a harder recovery but I have lots of support at home.

the thought is making me feel sick! I hate making decisions, but need to get my head straight before i see the consultant again. No questions really just helps to write it down.

@Fartymcfart I'm exactly the same with my situation, but I have age and BMI as factors , age 38 and BMI 37, I've finally decided I'm going with the elective c section, I've weighed up all the pros and cons and decided the dread of ending up with an emergency one after a failed induction etc isn't worth the anxiety for me

@Fartymcfart why are they pushing an epidural if you haven't had one previously? That seems nuts!
I had an EMCS after a failed induction... failure to progress and distressed baby. I really don't want the same this time but really don't want an ELCS either. Completely undecided like yourself, although I had no issues with the epidural.

One thing I hated about C-Section (after the painful recovery) is the flap of tummy over the scar that is really hard to shift. I carry most of my weight on my hips and arse but now have a constant spare tyre 😭. It's a silly reason but I'm stressing a second incision will make it even worse.

@Fartymcfart our 1st was induced due to high bp. The epidural was actually pretty good with the hormone drip, I was hallucinating on G&A because there was barely a gap between contractions. I did end up with vontouse because she ended up in distress with cord round neck but it just meant I was more bruised and took a bit longer for our sex life to resume than with our others. I had 2 pretty easy vb's then twins via cesarean as they were breech after that. I found elcs no worse of to recover from than my vb's despite my wound getting infected (undisolved stitches). I'm hoping to go vbac this time but if anyone mentions induction to me I'll be swapping to elcs. My consultant thinks I'll be fine with vbac despite me having big babies as it's been over 6 years since cs so my scar is low risk for rupture.

@kiki275 I have the CS overhang too but mine is worse due to excess skin after carrying 17lb worth of twins. Saving for a tummy tuck, might have enough in a decade lol

I've got my first consultant apt next week and kind of dreading it, had scan today and baby is developing nicely so no worries about baby at least, just feel a bit crap about it.

Oh well will see how we go x

Thanks everyone, I haven't been offered a CS at all at this point but do have midwife on Thursday so will talk to her, not bothered about scars etc as I'm fat anyways. Just want to not feel anxious about the birth whatever way the baby eventually comes out as long as we are both safe.
My inductions were both just because baby's hadn't shown up naturally by the trusts cut off date.
1st induction was fine, so didn't really have many issues with going again for my 3rd baby, but whilst the actual birth (pushing bit) was fine the care on the ward before during the induction was horrific and I really don't want to do it again, didn't realise I'd feel so strongly about it until now I'm having to think about doing it again.

They seem to pushing strongly for an epidural, because of age and bmi, but I can't think of anything worse then being stuck still, hence if I need to have one I'd rather the CS.

I guess I can only talk to the midwife and consultant.

Hi ladies, how are we all? I'm 28 weeks on Friday hello 3rd trimester, had my glucose test a few weeks came back all clear. Hope everyone's doing well

I'm 34, been trying for 5 years, had two early miscarriages but have my 12 weeks scan and consultant appt tomorrow although I'll only be 10+4
I'm 6ft and my bmi is 43
Worried about scan and consultant and baby being ok and all of it really so its very helpful to read others experiences

@ElmtreeMama I'm sorry to hear about your previous miscarriages. Congratulations on this pregnancy, I've never had issues with any scans I'm very tall and everything is proportion but do have a big tummy I just hold it up in the scans and I've never had any issues. Good luck 🤞🏻 with your scan

Hi all!

Mind if you join too?

I'm 34 - will be 35 when baby arrives and have a BMI of 43 at booking in (was 46 when I was last weighed in January) and I'm 5ft 7. I also have rheumatoid arthritis which I have been battling with for the past 10 years :) oh and I'm currently 9 weeks.

I've been finding it really useful to know what has been said to people who are ahead of me so I know what to prepare myself for. I found reading about the risks and such quite scary initially but it's been helpful to read real life experiences.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a healthy and easy pregnancy :)

@ElmtreeMama what are you worried about regarding the scan?

I am 14+2 and have now had 2 scans (My dates were a bit off so was only 10 weeks at first scan so had to come back!) and both were positive and easy experiences.

I've just had my results back from the screening test and showing as low risk for the screening so feel relieved.

Next appointment is consultant appointment on Tuesday and I am pretty nervous/feel a bit crap about it. I feel crap that I am in this position because of my own weight that I have to see a consultant. I'm sure they will just discuss any risks and it will all be done professionally but I just feel rubbish.

It hasn't helped that I've been so sick for a few weeks and my diet has been terrible as I could only stomach carbs. I am starting to come out of that now so the only thing I can do is focus on the time ahead where I'll try to eat well and I'm also going to be starting to swim regularly again and take more exercise.

I think I am just nervous about being spoken down to or treated badly because of my weight however everyone so far has been professional and kind, only mentioning my BMI in passing or when needed in a clinical way but nobody has like dropped dead of shock that I have dared to get pregnant or anything. 😬