Newly pregnant, overweight and concerns

[hxoxox]

Hi all 👋🏻.

I have recently found out I'm pregnant and 4.5 weeks. I didn't expect to fall pregnant so quick and I had put on a lot of weight before. I am currently almost 21 stone and a size 20/22. I am tall so people say I carry it well. I am quite broad and big built naturally my fat is mainly my stomach and I have that horrible b belly already with the lower belly hang and back fat. I absolutely hate the way I look and I get so down about it. I have tried all sorts of diets before and nothing works. All my friends and family are slim, I don't know anyone heavily overweight and pregnant that I can talk to because I don't want to tell anyone yet. Sorry for the long post but just looking for someone who is in the same position as me! I know I can be putting myself and my baby at risk and I hate that. I don't have a telephone appointment with my midwife for another 3 weeks yet!! Then I've to get another appt and a dating scan which could take me up until I hit the 10/12 week mark. I don't feel pregnant, my boobs have been slightly sensitive, I've had a lot of wind at night and that's about it. I have booked in for an early scan for when I'm just over 7 weeks. Just for reassurance or to see if baby is still growing. I am a very highly anxious person and my mind is in overdrive. As a first time mum I didn't realise there would be a lack of midwife involvement in the early stages. My BMI is 44.

So from the above I'm basically wondering if there is anyone that can reassure me about the weight issue, will I have to have more scans and be consultant led? What will happen if I need a c section? I am so scared and can't even speak to the midwife.

I am worried I won't have a 'nice bump' and just look fat too. I recently started following a calorie defect plan. Will it be safe to continue this as well as my 10/15000 steps a day? I obviously have stopped drinking alcohol which tbh I drank too much of so I might lose bloat and weight stopping that too. I also started lifting kettle bells and small weights above my head is this ok still to do?

Is it normal to have next to no symptoms? I know I'm only 4.5 weeks but I just want to feel pregnant!

Thanks for listening well reading! Any help and advice would be appreciated!

Hello x I would say firstly don't worry.. Whilst midwives and consultants may recommend reducing your bmi, a lot of overweight women have safe pregnancies and deliveries. Your midwife may or may not address your weight when you get weighed and will give you safe and practical advice on diet. Don't restrict your calories too much as it's not safe. I wasn't overweight before pregnancy but I put on so much weight during pregnancy my bmi became higher then the average.. I had a natural birth, I was consultant and midwife led but due to a shortened cervix. You might find they book in more scans for you and will give you GTT as your midwife may think your risk of gestational diabetes are greater.
All I would say is just focus on being healthy, don't restrict your calories.. But just eat better and more wholesome food and drink plenty of water. It is perfectly possible to have a safe pregnancy and delivery with a higher bmi. Plenty of women do.

I started having pregnancy symptoms from about 7 weeks also.

The fact you fell pregnant quickly shows your body has faith in you being healthy enough to carry safely. Congratulations on your baby
The hospital team will suggest things, you don't have to take them and at that BMI don't be fooling yourself that you are the heaviest pregnant woman they've seen or any of that nonsense, you won't even get in the top 10.
The key now is to eat sensibly, I would recommend a low gi diet because the lower you keep your blood sugar the better for everybody and keep active. No reason not to carry on with your exercise plan but go steady with your calorie plan. It is possible to safely lose weight in pregnancy but I'd want some professional guidance. You're absolutely right re the booze though, that's going to cut down calories in a very easy way.
You will probably be offered a chat to make a plan for if you need a c section and I think anti coagulant is standard in late pregnancy but lots of people need that for non weight reasons too.
There is no reason you won't carry and birth safely. Enjoy your pregnancy.
And yes, no symptoms is normal. In about two weeks you may well be exhausted and vomiting so relish this!

I'm of a similar weight to you and I'm 14+4 today. Everything in my pregnancy so far has been normal compared to a pregnancy of someone with a healthy weight, but I am taking 150mg of aspirin daily and took 500mg of folic acid for the first 12 weeks.

As I get further along I'll have growth scans, 26, 32, 36 and 39 weeks, rather than my bump being measured and will have an appointment with a consultant after these.

There's no reason why you can't have a healthy pregnancy so I would definitely say try to enjoy it!

So I was in the exact same position (weight and BMI wise) as you and current 35+1 so can give you details on my journey so far.... Yours may differ.
They asked my weight during my telephone booking and therefore calculated the BMI which is the same as yours. I was then advised due to my weight I am more at risk of developing preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and there can be other complications during birth but I can't remember what they were.
I was prescribed the higher folic acid to take for the first trimester - call your doctor's now to get a prescription of this as you need more due to your weight.
At 12 weeks I was put on 150mg of aspirin a day to reduce the risk of preeclampsia purely because of my BMI.
I suffering from server morning sickness between 6-20 weeks and ended up losing 17lb because of it. I'm still currently 5lb lighter than when I feel pregnant and haven't been overly healthy with food choices.... Carbs have kept me going through the pregnancy.
I had the GD test at 28 weeks which came back negative and so far have not developed preeclampsia.
Due to belly fat I haven't managed to get a really defined and perfect scan picture at either my 12 or 20 week scans which I was disappointed about but understood why.
I was referred to a consultant at my 8 week booking appointment due to my BMI which meant I have had extra scans and checks with the consultant at 28, 32 and 36 weeks.... I like this as it's given me peace of mind that baby is doing good and I get to see them more. Baby is currently tracking smack bang on the 50th percentil so growing perfectly.
It is very scary being so overweight and having higher risks but so far, touch wood, all the things they advised I probably would get purely due to my weight have not happened.
The only other thing which came up at my last consultant appointment is they said to get an epidural fitted as soon as I get to the hospital when I go into labour as they may struggle more to get it in the right place later on in the event if an emergency. Apparently general anaesthetic isn't to be used on someone if our size. I have taken that advice on board but still not planning to follow it as I really don't want an epidural.
Try not to over think it, they do mention BMI and use it as an excuse sometimes but as long as your doing all the right things there's no reason you cant have a normal pregnancy :)

An epidural in early labour is going to reduce the chances of a vaginal delivery. Personally I'd tell them to forget that too

@Trumplosttheelection

An epidural in early labour is going to reduce the chances of a vaginal delivery. Personally I'd tell them to forget that too

Exactly my opinion on it. I want to have as natural as a birth as I can so not interested in an epidural unless there's complications and I need a c section. Will also be declining a sweep or induction if offered before 42 weeks but luckily there has been no mention of this yet :)

One thing that threw me was when I had my scan they had to press really hard on my belly to squidge it down and get a better view. They will often put something in the scan notes too about ' restricted views due to maternal habituas'

Hospital speak for 'Mum likes biscuits!'

I have been quite overweight when getting pregnant and always put on lots too. However I was always quite active especially walking. In hindsight I would recommend being careful with your nutrition. Focus on wholefoods that fill you up like carbs and veggies. Good luck.

Thanks everyone for your replies! I do feel more relaxed for now. I know I'm not alone in my situation but I feel it if that makes sense lol.

I am not planning major diet changes but lots of protein, brown pasta, fruit and veg following RH Fitness.

I will phone them GP and ask for stronger folic acid too. Hopefully I will lose the bloatedness and drinking more water will help too!

I hope my scans show ok. I have booked an early scan! I do have a friend who is overweight and has a bit of belly and her scans were really clear!