I am a size 18/20, and have struggled with my weight for most of my life (I'm at one of my highest weights right now). I just found out I was pregnant last week (our third cycle TTC). I was interested to hear from any other plus-size pregnant woman or mamas who can share what their pregnancy experience was like? From what I've learned so far in my research, plus-size folks take a much longer time to show, and also seem to have a higher risk of c-section. Thanks for sharing!
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Im not pregnant, but Im curious to hear experiences from other plus size moms since Im plus size myself. Dh and I are going to hopefully be ttc later this year so Im starting to research some.
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First of all, congrats on your BFP.
I was a size 18 when I got pregnant, and am early in my 3rd trimester and so far so good. I have gained 35 pounds already, which I am sooooo disapointed about, and seeing the scale go up is hard! I exercise regularly and was before getting pregnant. I am also 38 and honestly my doctor has focused on those risk factors more than my weight. I've passed my gestational diabetes test, my blood pressure is good, the baby seems to being progressing perfectly and, in the words of my doctor, "everything looks perfect on paper". I specifically asked about a c-section and she said there is nothing a this point that is indicating I'll need one. Many times the increased chance of c-section for both overweight and older moms is due to an increased chance of getting gestational diabetes, preclamspsia, or other complications. And since I've had none, right now she expects no issues.
It's been a physically challenging pregnancy for me, moreso than I expected. It did take me a while to look pregnant, although I did have an increased belly from early on. I found if I wore babydoll shirts it helped me look more pregnant. If I wore regular shirts, I just felt like I looked fat. By about 20 weeks there was no denying I was pregnant and most clothes worked ok for me. Finding plus size maternity clothes has been a huge challenge and the selection available to us stinks! I have my staple work pants and have swear by the lace trimmed camis at Lane Bryant. They are long, soft, comfortable and I need a cami under just about everything since most maternity clothing I find too low cut.
I think you'll do great, and there's no reason to think that you won't. Speak with your doctor about any specific concerns. Congrats again on your BFP!
P.S. If you're interested in buying a bunch of gently used maternity clothes in about 2 months, let me know. lol.
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Oh, and if you have specific questions, feel free to ask them.
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Don't worry about taking a long time to look pregnant. Most people (even tiny/underweight ladies) still just look like they ate a big lunch until 18-24 weeks. Only the 3rd tri is really obvious in most people.
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I was the same size as you pre-pregnancy. I had PCOS prior to getting pregnant, which complicated TTC for us, although I eventually ended up conceiving on just metformin.
As far as "showing" goes. It was obvious I was pregnant to people who knew me by 14 weeks. I showed pretty early. It was obvious to the general public by 18 weeks, so on par with most averaged sized people. I had weight gain issues in my pregnancy though, I lost weight (10 pounds total) until 16 weeks, then only gained 10 pounds overall in the pregnancy. I am 11 days post-partum now and I am below my pre-pregnancy weight by a few pounds, and I still have some edema to my feet left to lose.
My pregnancy was complicated by gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension, so I ended up self monitoring my blood sugars and blood pressures at home through the 3rd trimester. I also was put on reduced activity (no work, no exercise, no activity for more than 1 hour without an hour of rest) at 33 weeks.
I was induced at 38 4/7 due to cord flow issues (from the high blood pressure). The induction caused distress in my baby, and I did end up having a stat c-section in the middle of the night. The recovery from the c-section has been pretty straight forward. I was up, showered with my hair and makeup done by 12 hours post-op, and even took a walk around the hospital floor a couple hours after that. I have been totally able to take care of my own baby from about 12 hours post-op onwards.
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I was about the same size pre-pregnancy and had a really great experience. Like @MsMini: I actually lost weight in the first trimester and then didn't really put much back on. (They don't weigh you regularly here, but I'd guess that I probably got back to my pre-preg weight by the time I delivered.) I exercised (aqua aerobics and yoga) throughout pregnancy and that was really helpful to keep me feeling good. I think it took me longer to really show because the weight loss meant that I was swapping fat for baby, so for a long time I looked the same.
I passed my gestational diabetes test with flying colors and had zero complications, It really was a dream pregnancy. I had to kick up a minor stink to be allowed on the birth centre as opposed to the regular labor ward because technically my BMI made me not low-risk. I sucessfully made the argument that my health during pregnancy was perfect and there was no reason to keep me out. In the end it didn't matter because my water broke long before contractions started and I ended up needing pitocin, so I went to the labor ward anyway. I think in the US I would have ended up with a c-section because I took so long (40.5 hours from water breaking), but they let me deliver naturally and it was great! Good luck and congrats! -
@Meeshling: Congratulations on your BFP!
I was a size 14/16 when I found out I was pregnant. At 18 weeks, I had a little baby bump but by 19 weeks, I was obviously pregnant. I know a lot of people who are much smaller an didn't show until later. It really varies from person to person. I didn't have any issues with gestational diabetes or preeclampsia and only gained 26lbs total. I had a normal, healthy pregnancy and loved being pregnant. I did end up having a csection but it wasn't related to my weight.
I think one of the biggest things is trying not to compare yourself to other pregnant ladies. I know it's hard, but everyone carries differently no matter what size you are! Also, as long as you aren't constantly binging on junk food, you should really be fine with the weight gain.
I bought almost all of my maternity clothes from Motherhood Maternity. I hated the bella band. It just didn't work for me. I loved full panel pants from MM though. The secret fit belly was awesome. I wore the jeans in the cooler months and lived in the shorts from probably April-September. I also loved the short sleeved shirts with the ruched sides. They were so comfortable and flattering. I seriously had like 10 different ones. The striped ones were my favorite. ETA: I wore the Large size in pants and shirts for the majority of my pregnancy. I bought 2 XL shirts as part of a deal and wore them in the last 2-4 weeks.
http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=910200011&MasterCategory_Id=MC2
Anyway, Congratulations! & feel free to write on my wall if you have any questions. I also have pictures that I posted on WB if you wanted to see how I carried.
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@meeshling Congrats on you BFP! I'm about the same size as you and it took us 15 months to get pregnant, so it's awesome that it didn't take you that long!
I had been seeing a nutritionist for a few months before I got pregnant and that was a big help. I am 18 weeks now and I've actually lost about 15 lbs. I have just lost my appetite and have been eating even healthier. My doctor isn't concerned, although she advised that I not gain more than 10 lbs for the pregnancy. That had me pretty worried, but my nutritionist said it wasn't reasonable, that 20 was a better guide.
Good luck!!! -
I was the same size as you pre-pregnancy. I gained about 20lbs total, and I most definitely looked pregnant by 20 or so weeks. The whole pregnancy was a breeze, no blood pressure issues, no GD nothing out of the ordinary. I'm below my pre pregnancy weight now at 8 weeks post partum and feeling great. I was able to deliver vaginally, no c-section.
As for clothes, I second Motherhood Maternity plus sized line, I had 2 pairs of work pants, one pair of jeans and a variety of shirts. Don't try to just buy pants in a bigger size, they just end up looking frumpy, not eing comfortable and then you won't feel awesome, which is half the battle when your prego and trying to dress yourself
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I was about your size when I got pregnant. My doctor was more concerned with my age than my weight. I was encouraged to not gain more than 15 pounds through my pregnancy.
I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, but it wasn't as bad as you might think. Me and the baby were perfectly fine and it helped with keeping my weight in check.
I'm not really sure when I started to show as I have issues with seeing what I want to in the mirror rather than what is really there.
I also struggled with finding clothes. My pants all came from Motherhood Maternity. My shirts were from JCP or Motherhood and I was able to wear some of my "normal" shirts as well with the addition of a long cami.
I ended up with an induction and c-section, neither of which were due to my weight. Post c-section my doctor said she didn't think I could have had her naturally. She was stuck in my pelvis.
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Same size here too! We're 6 weeks pregnant and had a miscarriage last symmer. I'm a type 2 diabetic pre-pregnancy, and my diabetes nurse has told me that the rate that I lose weight by following my strict eating plan can balance out with any weight gain, leading to me not gaining anything at all. I've already lost 5 pounds in the 3 weeks since we've found out, just based on eating.
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I think I was about your size when I got pregnant, but I'm not sure how sizes translate between here and there. (I'm in Ireland )
To be honest I've had the perfect pregnancy so far. (35w3d) I dropped 15.5 lbs in the first trimester as my appetite was just shot, I couldn't eat as unhealthy as I had before! I was weighed about two weeks ago and I've put back on those pounds plus six more, so I'm marginally heavier than pre-pregnancy. I asked the doc about my weight loss early on and she was delighted with it as scans showed my twins were growing and developing just fine. They don't really care how much weight you lose if baby is ok!
I passed the glucose test fine, didn't expect to, and my blood pressure was perfect until two weeks ago when it spiked a little. I was hospitalised to make sure it wasn't pre eclampsia or anything scary. It wasn't, and a low dose bp pill sorted it out. Doc said as it only rose so late in pregnancy he wasn't v concerned- it wouldn't have the time to become a major issue and if I needed to be induced any time soon, no problem.The only issue anyone mentioned regarding my size was that it makes me a poor candidate for c section apparently. Lovely. Half of all twin births here tend to involve a section so I may well end up with one anyway, risks or no risks.
As regards clothes and appearance, first tri I was losing weight so didn't show early, and didn't actually get properly big until the last six or eight weeks. I found maternity jeans v uncomfortable, for some reason, so I just bought regular cheap ones a size up, same for tops, and went up another size in tops then as needed. One pair of jeans I bought at the end of January, and they were loose on me then, they're just getting tight now.
Did find it hard to get a swimsuit tho! I've swam the whole way through, and highly recommend it as its so relaxing as you get bigger. I just can't enjoy walking the last few weeks but swimming is great.
Sorry for the essay! Enjoy the whole experience, your size hopefully won't be an issue.
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Thank you all so much for your responses! It has made me feel a lot better about everything! I am trying to make better food choices and get a little more active, because I know it will help me feel a lot better (though the nausea that I've been having hasn't helped me a lot lately).
@chrispygal: I will TOTALLY contact you in a few months to see if there is anything I can take off of your hands. I'm a little concerned because my job requires me to get really formal (as I work events a few times a week).
@aunt pol: I swim now, but my swimsuit is a little too tight as it is, I think I will shop and get a more comfortable one that can last me through the pregnancy (maybe a tankini?) because I do want to stay active! Thanks for sharing your experience
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I really love this thread.
Just curious - how long did it take you all to get pregnant? We're TTC right now and I'm worried that my weight is going to make it a slow process.
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I am a size 24. I have struggled with weight since I was in elementary school. It took me awhile to get pregnant because I had PCOS. My first pregnancy wasn't complicated by my weight as much as much as the fact I was pregnant with twins. I did develop preeclampsia and had a c section. The delivery was because my twins shared a placenta. My second pregnancy was perfectly normal, no complications.
It did take time for me to really look pregnant. People who knew me could see differences quickly but strangers probably thought I was just big. I think as a plus sized pregnant woman I didn't get as many strangers comment on my belly or ask when I was due. No one wants to make the mistake of asking if you are pregnant and have the answer be no.
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.@Rachel: It took us 3 cycles to conceive - a lot less than I ancticipated
@Oceanis723: I agree, even when you could clearly tell I was pregnant, I have found that people don't say anything at all until I make a comment. It's a bit awkward sometimes. lol
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I was a size 14/16 when I got pregnant last time and a size 16 this time. I didn't have any complications with my first but didn't begin really looking pregnant until around 3rd tri unless I was wearing a maternity top; I carry my pregnancy weight high and kept a defined waist until around 32 weeks. I'm looking "pregnant" earlier with this pregnancy but think that is because baby seems to like laying sideways.
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@Rachel: I thought my weight would def. make it harder to get pregnant, too. It took us 3 cycles, but I thought it was going to take at least a year.
I was a size 18 when I got pregnant, and am early in my 3rd trimester and so far so good. I have gained 35 pounds already, which I am sooooo disapointed about, and seeing the scale go up is hard! I exercise regularly and was before getting pregnant. Reply
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