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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

BMI 37.5, Obese and Pregnant - Any support from other mums in similar position?

7 replies

SausageDogMum95 · 02/08/2025 12:46

Hello All,

I am now 5 weeks pregnant and feeling generally fine - some nausea, heartburn, insomnia, mild cramping throughout the days and frequent trips to the loo already! I've had these symptoms from around 3 weeks pregnant so it is going to be a long pregnancy.

This is my first pregnancy after loss, I have no living children. I was aware I was overweight before my first pregnancy two months ago, but had been struggling to lose weight and was suffering from fatigue, doctors found out I had iron deficiency anemia and had also suspected thyroid, but results were not positive for this. Since then, I think the grief has made me plateau with weight, and my body has stubbornly been gaining and losing the same 5 to 6 lbs since. I now weigh 16stone 3lbs and this puts my BMI at just over 37, in the obese category. The GP did reassure me that my previous loss was not down to any fault of mine or my weight [I must carry the weight well, I look overweight but not obese].

I have cut down on all the sugary crap and eating chips with meals and am just sticking to healthier meals and portion sizes and dry crackers or a ginger biscuit when feeling sick. I switched to decaff tea a few months ago so no caffeine intake.

I am still waiting for the midwife to contact me so she can book me in for a booking appointment, I did refer myself and one of the community midwifes said she would pass it on to the midwife who covers the GP surgery where I am registered.

My concern is about continuing to be healthy for my baby. Have any other mums been obese when pregnant and how were they treated by midwives, were their babies ok without any complications? I lost my previous baby at 6 weeks so quite determined to do everything I can to make sure I can keep this baby happy healthy and growing. I would also like to ensure I can lose the excess weight once baby is born so I can be healthy and keep up with them when they get a bit older! Any input would be helpful, thank you.

OP posts:
JuniperandI · 02/08/2025 13:06

Hello! I'm by no means a small gal (not sure of my weight at the moment) and I was worried about how my pregnancy would go too because of my weight and my age (I'm 35). My age and that I'm having an IVF baby has been mentioned more than my weight when it comes to risk factors. I was much fitter and stronger before pregnancy though.

I have developed high BP (never had a history of BP issues) but I think that's just how my body is handling pregnancy and it's well controlled with meds. I am very tired but again, I think that's just the pregnancy. I'm 22 weeks pregnant, baby is developing beautifully and is a nice normal size.

They do make a note on scans that the view is sub-optimal on scans due to 'raised patient BMI' but they've always managed to get what they needed from scans and I have some lovely clear scan pictures.

I've never felt judged or belittled because of my weight, the midwives and sonographers would have seen all shapes and sizes throughout their careers.

I'm also looking to get back to losing weight and working out after baby is born, not sure what that will look like though. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Shynslk · 02/08/2025 15:41

My BMI was 36.5 when I had my booking appointment. It's now at 40, I'm 37w3d and have overall had a healthy pregnancy with no problems thus far.

I called the GP after my positive test and they prescribed me 5mg of folic acid straight away because of my BMI. I also got prescribed low dose aspirin to take from 12 weeks onwards.

The first trimester I didn't really gain much because my nausea was so bad I could hardly bring myself to eat anything other than ginger biscuits and crackers. After 20 weeks when I started to feel more normal, I did try to eat healthier. The past few days though my appetite has shot through the roof. I've obviously gained quite a lot of weight, but hoping to get back in control after baby is born, at the moment I can't really do much so no point thinking about it.

The midwives and sonographers have always been nice and respectful to me, my weight hasn't actually been mentioned other than them explaining about the folic acid and aspirin. They can find babys heart beat fine and the scans have always been clear. I did have to take a gestational diabetes test, but that wound up fine and I dont have diabetes. I'm also consultant led so get a few extra scans and checks.

I would recommend some exercises, maybe, there's probably some on YouTube. I wish I did some earlier because my back pain was awful and now I'm obviously a lot bigger and can't walk far and take ages getting up stairs. I've started using a yoga ball which does help, but I think if I started light exercises a few months ago my mobility and pain might be better handled and it might be easier after birth to lose the weight. But other than that, I've had no complications.

Best of luck to you and congratulations!

AnonKat · 02/08/2025 15:50

I have the exact same BMI and 21 weeks pregnant. Ivd gained 2lb! My appetite hasnt been great and ive suffered with sickness.

Make sure to get the higher dose folate for the first 12 weeks. Scans will be a little blurrier but not bad. Other than that its been a normal pregnancy think!

SausageDogMum95 · 02/08/2025 16:19

Thank you all! Worried now though as still haven’t got a midwife and doctors never mentioned last time I need a higher dose of folate. I will have to ring Monday to get this prescribed but is this too late? 😔

OP posts:
Shynslk · 02/08/2025 16:33

I was just after 5 weeks when I got the folic acid so wouldn't say it's too late, I just kept taking the normal 400mcg of folic before that as I didn't know also until the doctor told me I needed the higher dose

Wednesdayonline · 02/08/2025 17:38

My good friend was obese during her pregnancy. The medical professionals did not treat her well, they made her feel really bad about it :( BUT she had a completely normal uneventful pregnancy and gave birth to a perfectly healthy little girl :) she actually unintentionally lost weight during the pregnancy. She did enjoy having consultant led care and extra monitoring as she got to check on baby more often ☺️

AnonKat · 02/08/2025 18:28

I was 6 weeks when i started mine, got it from my GP. My booking apt wasnt til 9 weeks.

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