Plus size reassurance

[Flyingsaucer22]

I have my booking appointment this week. I’m plus size and very anxious about being judged, open and lengthy discussion about my weight etc. Does anyone have any tips? Thanks!

I’m a size 18-20 and my midwives have been nothing but lovely. Very gentle with their wording and I’ve never felt judged. Oh my 12 week scan she was struggling a bit for some measurements but didn’t mention once that it was because of my weight, but on the write up it had some very technical medical language that I googled and it translated to something like “difficulty in xyz due to mothers size” but the woman doing tne ultrasound didn’t say a word to me, she was lovely. You’ll be fine 😊

You won't be judged. Depending on your bmi you'll be given extra consultant appointments, growth scans and potentially put on asprin. I've been plus size for both pregnancies and any mention of my weight is very matter of fact and only related to the pregnancy. They have seen every size under the sun in their midwifery careers I'm sure!

I’m plus size and having an absolutely amazing pregnancy! My midwife wasn’t judgemental and I’m still classed as low risk as my only risk factor is my BMI. I take aspirin, had a higher dose of folic acid, have growth scans instead of fundal measurement and had to do the glucose tolerance test but I’ve been absolutely fine and my bloods and blood pressure have both been perfect. I was worried about what they’d be able to see on a scan but they’ve been able to see everything just fine.

I did have the note about difficulty to see due to mothers BMI on my 20 week scan but that’s the only sonographer that’s mentioned it and I’ve had 4 ultrasounds this pregnancy and no one else had any problems seeing anything - it wasn’t on my notes and baby is measuring exactly where they’re meant to.

The only thing is that I’m more restricted in my birth plans so I can’t have a water birth and I’ve got to be consultant led so going to my local hospital instead of a birthing centre etc but that’s probably the only downside I’ve found so far.

My midwife also didn’t attempt to find baby’s heartbeat at 16 week appointment due to BMI but by 20 weeks she found it just fine!

I was also worried about what my bump would look like too but I’ve got a lovely bump, it just needs a bit of shaping sometimes with good underwear.

You will be absolutely ok and if anyone does shame you then you can always make a complaint and request a change!

Wishing you a wonderful, healthy pregnancy and please feel free to message if you have any questions! ❤️

Thank you everyone, I’m so glad you’ve all had such positive experiences. I was so nervous, but I think I’ll be able to get some sleep tonight. I know it’s the hormones but I could actually have a little cry now 🫠💚

Thanks again everyone. I had my booking appointment and it was fine. My midwife was lovely and not once did she make me feel bad or judged for my size. She was very tactful and let me just write my weight down, didn’t make me discuss it in front of my husband etc.

I'm size 18-20 and 38 weeks and all has been good here. Booking appointments fine I just said when she was weighing me could she keep it to herself which she did. DH knows I'm over weight and insecure lol he didn't care that I told her to keep it to herself. On my notes she did write due to bmi I'm on aspirin , few growth scans towards end of pregnancy, early GTT test than usual and a consultant appointment. That was fine! I've always been able to get good scan photos despite my chubby belly but at my 32w scan the sonographer wrote in my notes that the scan wasn't the best quality due to my bmi (never had a problem at any of my other scans so that was strange but oh well!)

No one's ever said anything to my face but I do own it so who knows 🤣 midwife has asked once how much I've gained so far I just said I haven't been weighing myself as it effects my mental health as I can't specifically diet right now or change my growing body she said that's fine and nothing more.

My section is soon and the notes also said about higher risk due to bmi etc but again it's just protocol, I'm fat that's my problem not there's☺️

Just here to send a hug! I'm size 18-20 and BMI is 43 and honestly, apart from some extra appointments to make sure myself and baby are ok I haven't had any awkward convos or interactions! I think they know that WE know we're plus size so they don't need to ram it down our throats but I've had lovely nurses and midwives so far 🥰