Overweight and pregnant

[FirstT1meMum]

Hi, I'm currently 6w +4!!!
After going through lots of trauma over the last few years, my weight has skyrocketed. My BMI is about 39 and I'm about 16st 10 😔😔😔 Obviously I have been trying to lose weight since we started our TTC and I've lost 11 pounds. I just always thought my weight would make it harder to get pregnant so I haven't lost as much as I wanted!
I'm now proper freaking out about all the risks I've read and what sort of treatment I'm going to receive. I'm panicking about how the midwife will treat me and just the whole process of being pregnant is starting to really scare me not excite me!!! Is anyone else in a similar position?
Sorry for the ramble!

Hiya, congratulations first of all!
I am a similar bmi to you and am 33 weeks pregnant now. I haven’t experienced any judgement or negativity about my weight. There may be things that you are offered based on your weight but try to remember that these are evidence based interventions rather than a judgement on your weight! Lots of women with varying weights are offered the GTT for example.
I am having extra growth scans to check baby is growing well as fundal height is less accurate but again, id have been having these anyways as I’ve had a small baby before. Try not to worry!

Thank you so much! I'm prepared for any extra tests or things I need to do to keep baby healthy ❤️ I hope you don't mind me asking, we're you able to get clear scan pictures? Xx

I had similar thoughts at the beginning of pregnancy, with my BMI being 37, it was much lower with my first!
I've come across some reassuring social media accounts - such as theheavyweightmidwife on Instagram and there's a lovely plus size pregnancy community on tiktok. There are some statistically small increased risks with higher weight which are important to be aware of - but there's also the likelihood of having a straightforward pregnancy.
With a BMI over 35, it does mean I'm consultant lead (but would have been anyway due to thyroid issues). The only thing mentioned by anyone so far is that I do have to go for two extra growth scans and glucose test (again, would have had this anyway due to family history). There hasn't been any shame about my weight.
Looking up the risks and evidence base from theheavyweightmidwife has meant I've felt prepared incase it ever did occur!

All the best with your pregnancy!

I was a similar weight and had all the same concerns as you. I did have some extra monitoring and my BP was high, but I was never ever treated badly or judged like I thought I would be.

Congratulations 🎉
Im 5'2 and was 16st8 at my 12 week scan. I had a perfect pregnancy, no weight related issues.
it was actually the best diet I have ever been on as I was burning extra calories growing baby.
She was 9lbs when she was born and I weighed 14st6 2 weeks later 😊 no problems at all seeing baby on scans. Also no problems opting for an elective c-section though I was monitored more closely due to this and my weight.

My earlier scan pictures weren’t the absolute best quality but baby was in an awkward position as well as my tummy having some extra “padding” 😅, I had to get up and move around and then they had to tilt the bed down to get baby to move!
since 20 weeks they have all been clear and fine!

Congratulations OP. I was a similar weight to you when I was pregnant on my second baby. No extra checks or concerns and my weight was never mentioned. Perfect baby born by elective c section due to emergency c section on my first.

Hope you enjoy your pregnancy.

I had a BMI of 42 with my son (he's 14 months now), I was on low dose aspirin at night, 5mg folic acid and from 28 weeks I had to do nightly injections of fragmin (blood thinner) due to age, habitus etc. I was also classed as gestational diabetic as my HbA1c was borderline, so for safety i was treated and only needed blood sugars, no medications.

Thanks to the severe hyperemisis with him, I haven't needed the injections this time, I lost 9 stone in total when pregnant with him.

Currently 37 weeks with a little girl, bmi is now 28. I had no judgement or weirdness from any of the team, if anything they were very supportive and helpful.

Thank you all so much for all your reassurance! Hopefully will hear from the midwife next week and feel much more relaxed! Xxx