Overweight and Obese UP/UC'ers

[belchers1]

So far, I feel completely healthy during this pregnancy, however I am slightly concerned about my weight. I never did lose the baby weight from #3. At 5' 3.5" and 173 lbs., I'm teetering obesity. How much will I weigh come October?! I plan to continue checking my weight, urine, blood pressure, etc., but what else can / should I do?

Any advice on a overweight / obese mama UP'ing / UC'ing?

TIA!

[paxye]

I have never really checked my weight in pregnancy while UPing and even when I was with a midwife I would weigh myself but it really didn't mean much... I weigh quite a bit more than you and have had four healthy pregnancies and children.

I honestly don't think that weight has anything to do with a healthy pregnancy. Eat when you are hungry, eat well and drink well and stop looking at the numbers and stressing...

[chase_mommy]

I am the dreaded "O" word. At 5'4 I weigh in at 204lbs. I gained weight after DD was born... well first I lost it all then I gained it back plus some due to PCOS. I'm not worrying about it to much though. I definitely don't want to pork up unnecessarily like I have done in previous pregnancies but I do know that I will gain weight. Entering into my second trimester I still haven't gained anything, I actually have lost 3 lbs. I hope to keep this up (not the weight loss part) for another month because I pack on the lbs toward the end. The way I look at it, just because I am what others call obese, I don't feel that way. I keep up with my toddler just fine, we eat healthy and my size doesn't prevent me from doing anything (except squeezing into tiny spaces). As far as what else should you do... I don't have any advice other than just be as active as you can and eat well. At least thats all that I am doing and I feel great (as far as greatness goes with pregnancy for me).

[jillmamma]

I don't UC, but saw your thread and wanted to say I started my last pregnancy at almost exactly the same size as you (5'4" and 174 lb) and ended up gaining a total of 25 lb. I had a healthy pregnancy and unmedicated vaginal delivery at 39w4d, no preeclampsia like with my first, no diabetes or anything like that. Now at 11 days postpartum, thanks in a large part to a healthy diet and breastfeeding, I am back to 174 again. Hoping to start walking my dog more again soon and lose some more.

[jenners26]

Oh honey, I have almost 100 pounds on you! I UC'ed just fine! I think just moniter exactly the same things a thin woman would...watch your blood pressure, stay hydrated, etc.

Unless you have diabetes, hypertension, or some other health issue, yuor weight alone shouldn't be an issue.

[belchers1]

Thanks for your reassurance mamas!

I guess I was feeling a little insecure because I went to the family doc last week to get Blue Care Network Qualification stuff done, and he declared me obese. He proceeded to tell me that I am at a higher risk with the pregnancy because of it. He kindly was trying to convince me to have a hospital birth this time. Hello?! Sure, yeah I'll just go to the hospital, I don't care! YEAH RIGHT! It turned into an argument, and me answering lots of stupid questions like, "How would you clamp the cord?", and "What would you do if you tear?" Seriously? You would think he would've asked, "What would you do in a case of shoulder dystocia?", or "What are the signs of hemorrhage?" I left there feeling angry, sad, and insecure. So, naturally, now I'm questioning myself on every little thing, and the weight was something that could be declared "unhealthy".

I feel fine! I need to stop doubting myself!

Thanks again!

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I started my pregnancy at about your stats (5'3", 175) and had a perfectly healthy pregnancy, gaining a totally average amount of weight which I then sweated off within 2 weeks (ew!). Focus on listening to your body. You will gain what you need to, and the number on the scale does. not. matter. at. all.

[claddaghmom]

I was wondering the same thing! I gained 40lbs w/ DD. Lost it after she was born but then steadily gained 15lbs until conception. And now at 8 weeks I've already gained 6 pounds.

Can't figure out my weight gain...diet and lifestyle have remained the same! I swear! lol

[Amatullah0]

I'm right about that height/weight too, i had no prob with my last pregnancy, although i wouldn't have exactly called myself "healthy" then. i'm still gaining but i consider myself much more healthy now. i'm actually exercising, eating WAY better, etc numbers and labels don't belong on people you know, i think the "problem" with obesity or being overweight and pregnancy(or anything else health related) is that many people in this obese/overweight category are there because they have behavioral issues(eating junk, sedentary lifestyle) which can lead to other health issues. the health issues are the issue, not the weight. if you don't have a health issue(i.e. diabetes) then it really doesn't have too much(if any) affect on your pregnancy. just watch for the health issues

as is with chubby newborns probably is the same with chubby mamas, fat squishes

[Cuddlebaby]

I have been well over 200 for most of pregnancies. 3 were awesome homebirths and 2 were awesome hospital births. don't worry about the #, especially at the end when you are not there yet. AT the end of my pregnancies I am usually only up about 10 pounds if that. so if you are chunky (not imo are you!) and plenty of excess it's just find to not gain as long as baby is growing fine. go by more how you feel. feel healthy? then you are doing everything right

[Luv2bemommy]

While I can't comment on having a UC just yet I have been 220+ with all five of my births and I don't see a cause for concern. As long as you are healthy, IMO weight isn't an issue. I have never let anyone else tell me other wise and I've had five perfectly healthy pregnancies and deliveries with no problems.

[jeminijad]

I worry about this as a possible reason for being "risked out" by a HBMW.

Speaking of which, I hope you ladies on the UC board don't mind my commenting on a non-UC. UC is on the table, just not committed to it.

I am 5'6" and 188-190, so similar in build to the OP. I am healthy enough and have never had any problems with pregnancies, weight related or otherwise, but I wonder what a midwife will say.

[bobandjess99]

I'm only 5 foot, and was 200 with my last UC, 180 with the first, and they went fine. We're even sort of close. Hi!!*waves*

[dayiscoming2006]

I was quite a bit overweight with my second and UP'd I wanted to UC but ended up being in Romania when I had my baby and it is illegal to UC there and I was staying with family which would not have been supportive of it.

Anyway. I had a healthy pregnancy and no complications. I delivered naturally and mostly by myself. I would not be concerned too much with your weight. Just exercise, eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Try not to overeat, only eat - when you are hungry.

[belchers1]

Originally Posted by bobandjess99

I'm only 5 foot, and was 200 with my last UC, 180 with the first, and they went fine. We're even sort of close. Hi!!*waves*

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006

I was quite a bit overweight with my second and UP'd I wanted to UC but ended up being in Romania when I had my baby and it is illegal to UC there and I was staying with family which would not have been supportive of it.

Anyway. I had a healthy pregnancy and no complications. I delivered naturally and mostly by myself. I would not be concerned too much with your weight. Just exercise, eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Try not to overeat, only eat - when you are hungry.

I remember you from when I was pregnant with my third!

[gossamerwindweb]

Well... I am 5'10" and started my pregnancy this time at 299 lbs. I was 310 the day before Henry was born. I did my best to eat healthy, drink tons of water, etc. I did get the GD test because at that time I was going to a CNM... but obviously with only an 11 lb weight gain I didn't have it

Anyhow, I think it sounds like you are fine. With my DD, I started pregnancy at 275 lbs and ended at 240 because I had hyperemesis and couldn't eat or hardly drink through most of my pregnancy. I had home IVs and a home nurse for some of my pregnancy even... that is how bad it was. After she was born, my body was SO much in famine mode, I shot up to 357 in a year (and that was WITH breastfeeding). This time, I ended pregnancy at 310 and am now down to 265... meaning 10 lbs less than my wedding weight

My point is.... being obese / morbidly obese / overweight, WHATEVER doesn't necessarily make things more difficult. It makes you 'high risk' in the eyes of a health care provider, which (in my opinion) then makes them overreact to any little thing that is going on. The midwife wanted to do a second GD test because I was 'high risk' from my weight. That was finally when we decided to go UP/UC. And I am glad we did Good luck!!!

[gossamerwindweb]

just realized I just told the freaking world how fat I am... well, it isn't like they can't SEE it

[Cuddlebaby]

Angela, do you attribute your weight loss for the return of your fertility?

[gossamerwindweb]

To an extent, but there is more to it than that. I finally was diagnosed with PCOS about 3 years ago, and started taking metformin. As soon as my hormones evened out, I started losing weight easily. Then my dad died. I lost my appetite and lost more weight. I had been pregnant several times over the years between Hannah and Henry, but miscarried all of them. PCOS raises your chances of miscarriage, and so when I got pregnant with Henry I didn't think he would last either.

There are some studies that say women with PCOS who stay on metformin while pregnant will miscarry less, so I did. I took the metformin until close to the end of pregnancy. Henry was my first pregnancy since I started taking metformin, and I am so very glad I kept taking my metformin. I can't say for sure that is why he stayed, but it sure seems like it...

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

gossamerwindweb: I have a very similar story, minus the weight loss. Gained a bunch of weight quickly, had a bunch of miscarriages, get diagnosed with PCOS, get put on metformin, get pregnant, stay on metformin, stay pregnant. Still fat, but I feel so much better than before and I'm holding my perfectly healthy baby right now