Older mum and obese

[Littlefattykittycatty]

Hi all I have just found out that I am pregnant at age 38 (baby will be due the week before my 39th birthday). This is my second pregnancy, the first was when I was 34. This time it is unexpected but we are happy.

My main concerns keeping me awake are my age and the fact that I am classed as obese. Just before finding out I had joined a weight loss group because I am at the heaviest (size 22) that I have ever been. I have always been big, during last pregnancy I was a size 18 but about 2 1/2 stone lighter than I am now. I am just really worried about the impact of this on baby.

Not only that but I will have to have a c section due to large fibroids (they were there during last pregnancy) which I am terrified of as I felt really ill during the last one, sick and chest pains.

Anyway I suppose I am looking for some reassuring stories about older over weight pregnancies to give me some hope. Please no negative comments x

Anyone?

You're pregnant, congratulations!

The most important thing now is not to worry about the past, but do your best to stay healthy during your pregnancy.

Have a chat with your GP about higher dose Folic Acid. My guess is your midwife will put you on it but as they don't see you until 8/9 weeks or so it might be worth seeing id you can get it now

Don't start a mad exercise regime or anything but try to incorporate gentle workouts such as yoga, walking etc

Hope this helps x

@Littlefattykittycatty congratulations on your pregnancy... stop stressing as it's not good for you or baby and you'll just make yourself more anxious... as PP said now is not the time to embark on a rigorous exercise routine - walking and gentle exercise is good but make sure you have a chat with your midwife / GP before you do ANY new exercise especially if you've lead a sedentary for a while... you can however address your diet if you've not already done this - eat healthily and reduce saturated fat, sugar and salt and they're no good for anyone...

After baby is born and when you've been given the go ahead by medics then start exercising gradually and build up. You said you've always been 'big' but try to get to the bottom of this if you can as no one is born obese. Check for thyroid issues and diabetes, these will show up during standard gestational blood tests. Do / have you had issues with food over the years such as binge eating or crazy fad diets? The good thing is you already know that being a size 22 is not good for you or anyone at any age no matter what they're height so that's a step in the right direction... the majority of this can be dealt with after baby has arrived...

With regard to ww . Have a word with the person that runs it . I'm sure a pregnant woman carried on doing ww with the approval of her Dr when I attended. They will have had other women on it a pregnant.

Thank you for your replies! Trying not to stress, been eating healthy and walking. I have a sedentary job although do like walking and walk for miles at the weekend, but i guess this is not enough. I was told my pcos (diagnosed at 16) would make it easier for me to put on weight, but do not get me wrong chocolate doesn't help either. I do not binge eat or emotional eat at all, I just put on weight so easily eating the wrong things and have not limited them even though I know this about myself. I guess I always felt it wasn't fair that I put on weight so easily when friends and family seemingly ate and drank what they liked but were no where near as big as me. Anyway I understand this is my fault and I have lost weight in the past through diet and exercise and actually felt good about myself but I just didn't sustain it.
More determined now I am older and will have two young children dependant on me. Trying to keep positive and healthy

Hello!

I'm 39 and obese too. Long story but I suffer with an eating disorder, I actually got too thin a few years back but piled it all back on and then got pregnant after ttc for 20 years. I'm 15w but just feel fat even though I've lost 8kg so far from bad nausea in the first trimester.

Hi,
I’m exactly the same - 38 and obese. I’d lost a lot of weight to support trying to conceive then was told I’d started early menopause so it was very unlikely and the weight then came back on. I’m now 9 weeks pregnant and very worried how I’m going to impact the pregnancy. The midwife was lovely and very supportive but I’m counting each day I’m still pregnant as a blessing but it’s a very stressful way to live!

So far I've not found any issues. I'm 15w and I'll need to be tested at 24 weeks for gestational diabetes and have 2 growth scans at 32 and 36 weeks but that's it. I don't feel pregnant just fat, as at this stage my belly is getting bigger but also pushing out what was already there. I've decided not to try to hide the way I look, or hide my growing bump. I wear baggy clothes anyway but was wearing even baggier things to hide it. I feel very self conscious

During my first pregnancy I had to be tested for gd and all was fine, i had a pretty healthy pregnancy for the most part except for low iron and fibroid degenration.
I thought I had started early menopause also so this time the positive was a shock!
I have been under investigation for aches and pains and told I have hiatus hernia and fatty liver . Just worried as each day passes particularly as I know I will need a c section due to large fibroids. Trying to relax and take what comes, eat healthy and be positive but it is easier said than done.
Please don't be self conscious about yourself, I know it is hard, just make sure your comfortable x

Hi there,
I just read you message and I was just wondering how your pregnancy has gone if you don’t mind me asking? I’m going to be 39 next week, 7 weeks and 18 stone. I’m in. Similar position, trying to stay positive but was curious how you were finding it. Thank you

Hey @RODO24 sorry I have just seen your message. My baby is 3 months now! Pregnancy and c section went really well this time, even better than my first! Only negative was that I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and put on insulin. As I managed to keep it mostly controlled though diet it was a low dose. I did lose 3 stone during the pregnancy though and have put a stone back on since...🙄
Hope it is going well for you!

Just reading your story and happy your pregnancy went well! How did you lose 3 stone during the pregnancy?

@Sunshine2243 thank you. The weight loss was a positive side effect of having gestational diabetes. I cut out all sugar and had very minimal carbs. I was concerned but the diabetes team said it was perfectly fine as it was gradual and happened to most overweight women who were diagnosed 🙄

Congratulations on making those positive changes to your diet OP, I'm sure both you and your kids will feel the benefits of this with you now having healthier eating habits, you're an inspiration!

Congratulations. I am 40 and currently 32 weeks pregnant, classed as obese too. I have been consultant led care due to ticking enough boxes in my booking appointment but this has actually been good, I've felt very well cared for and I've had growth scans so seen my baby lots extra, which has been reassuring and lovely. My pregnancy has been great, my baby is currently measuring perfectly for her age. Only complication so far is that I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks, which upset me but I've gotten used to it and have managed to keep it under control with diet. I have actually managed to lose weight while pregnant, once baby is out I will be roughly 3 stone lighter than when I fell pregnant and I plan to continue to lose weight, taking it as an opportunity to lose my extra weight. I have also had to take asprin since 12 weeks and also have a blood thinning injection everyday from 28 weeks until 6 weeks after. My weight is a factor in this but also that I had pre eclampsia in my previous pregnancy. I was an 8 stone stick in my previous pregnancy and in my 20s and I have found this pregnancy so much easier than that one.
I will be having a elective c section at 28 weeks, which I have chosen because I don't want to be induced and after reading a lot on the pros and cons I feel it's the safest option for my baby and myself. I have had a natural birth and a c section previously and although with i would prefer natural labour if I could, I feel c section is the best option this time.
I wish you the best of luck in your pregnancy and please don't worry, I'm sure everything will be great for you. Congratulations again

@Littlefattykittycatty thanks for your message and congratulations on your baby!! I’m 29 weeks today and my baby boy is doing fine so far. I was informed about my gestational diabetes 2 weeks ago and I’m trying really hard to get the sugars under control with diet, morning sugars are still too high. I was told to have carbs with every meal but all wholemeal and small portions obviously. Just wondering if I should be reducing more as sugars not going down. I’ve a scan Wednesday so hopefully baby will be developing normally. The Pregnancy is going very well though all in all, and eating so much better so I feel good. I’m so excited
many congratulations again x

@RODO24 I was diagnosed early at 10 weeks! I was on 20 units of insulin for overnight fasting as this was the hardest to crack with diet. Don't reduce your food intake just make sure you eat the right carbs when you do have them. Also try having a late night snack of something like cheese, cream or protien as this may help overnight. Speak to you diabetic team who may also suggest some insulin/metformin to help. Good luck , you've got this!