Overweight Pregnancy? « Back to Group Discussions

[mamapigeon]

I saw that there was a thread for overweight mamas in the September group and have been stalking it, but thought it might be nice if we had our own.

I'm a bit nervous about this pregnancy. I planned on losing weight after DS was born and did for a while, but then gained it all back! The only trouble I seem to have is a little more back pain and difficulty getting comfortable in bed at night. I'm worried that I might risk out of a birth center birth due to high blood pressure or weight, if that is possible. I'm trying to watch my sodium and not snack like I normally would. Switching to things like oatmeal for breakfast instead of buttered toast. I am pretty sure I haven't gained any weight so far (10w3d).

Is anyone else dealing with this? Are you trying to watch what you eat and exercise regularly?

[harmie0515]

I'm a plus size mama, and have been for 2 of my previous pregnancies as well.  I'd be happy to be a part of this discussion, but I'll have to write more later (midnight at my house.  yikes!)  

[HeatherB]

I'm also a "fluffy" mama and have been for all of my pregnancies. Google Kmom and her blogs. Must-reads! Be healthy and don't expect problems. Make sure your care provider is not fat-phobic. You can have awesome births regardless of your weight!

I tend to lose weight in pregnancy. I might even out by the end. I started at my highest weight with this one but have now lost over 20lbs (13wks). I'm happy with that and my MW is okay with it as long as I'm taking vitamins and drinking lots of water. I hope to keep losing as I can get more active (fatigue stinks!) and can get back to my normal supplements and such. I'm also finally treating my thyroid and adrenals so I know that helps.

[harmie0515]

I also tend to lose weight while pregnant. (Down 16 pounds at 11 weeks.)  And since I started this pregnancy at my highest weight I am hoping to "break even" at the end of the pregnancy.  Totally realistic since I (if things continue like past pregnancies) should lose for a couple weeks more.  

My previous pregnancies were free of any complications, my blood pressure and sugar were good levels.  I'm a healthy person other than the extra weight I carry around. lol

[namastesista]

I'm with you ladies! I definitely lost about 25lbs after DS was born, but gained it back...I'm an emotional eater, and had PPD. I've lost some weight this pregnancy (13w3d) , though not sure how much. I too am hoping that when my energy returns and nausea abates, I can get out and exercise so I even out by the end.

I am worried that I might be more at risk for GD or pre-eclampsia, so it's great to hear other mamas have done this without issue. My MW thinks I'm fine, which is who I should be listening to, but when weight has always been a struggle, it's hard to shut down that naysaying voice in my head.

[HeatherB]

My mom had severe pre-e with both my sister and me, yet I've never had an issue, even starting with a lot more weight. We believe having chronic Lyme disease was a major factor for her, where I found out I had it just before my first pregnancy and got treatment throughout. I had a little issue with elevating bp in that first pg but no other signs. In my first homebirth, we treated with passionflower tincture quite successfully. It's been less of an issue with each one. My normal bp now is under 120/80 and holding steady so far.

[carmen358]

I've never been overweight in my life - always slim - but after dealing with all the miscarriages before and after DD and the depression that went along with them I am now overweight and was with DD too. I lost a bunch of weight right after DD was born but put it back (and more) on. However, I had no issues at all in that pregnancy and had an amazing labour and home birth!

I'm also worried about GD, etc. this time around though. I'm not going to diet obviously but I'll watch my intake of sugar and carbs and try and move as much as I can - walks, swimming, yoga. It's hard to find the time when I have a 3 year old, work full time and I'm so tired!!

[thecoffeebean]

Originally Posted by carmen358 

I've never been overweight in my life - always slim - but after dealing with all the miscarriages before and after DD and the depression that went along with them I am now overweight and was with DD too. I lost a bunch of weight right after DD was born but put it back (and more) on. However, I had no issues at all in that pregnancy and had an amazing labour and home birth!

I'm also worried about GD, etc. this time around though. I'm not going to diet obviously but I'll watch my intake of sugar and carbs and try and move as much as I can - walks, swimming, yoga. It's hard to find the time when I have a 3 year old, work full time and I'm so tired!!

Back-to-back, repeated miscarriages are what I blame for my weight gain these past 18 months. And then the resulting depression did it for me, too.

I've always been on the upper limit of a healthy weight, at least until after college. Then I was 10 lbs or so overweight. After having my DD, I lost the weight but regained it and then some with the miscarriages. I'm now 40 lbs overweight. The good thing is that I'm growing what seems to be a healthy baby, and I'm happy with where I am now in life. There are so many things to be grateful for. I'm working hard to get some exercise at least 5 days a week to keep weight gain down for this pregnancy. Hoping I can keep it under 30 pounds.

[mamapigeon]

How does everyone lose weight during pregnancy? I've found I can avoid weight gain for a while by eating better, but I guess I'm not reducing my calories enough to lose...  

[CraftyMcGluestick]

Originally Posted by mamapigeon 

How does everyone lose weight during pregnancy? I've found I can avoid weight gain for a while by eating better, but I guess I'm not reducing my calories enough to lose...  

Not sure about the others, but I am losing weight to vomiting/nausea, which is NOT a method I recommend. I was nauseous during my first pregnancy, but was still able to eat PLENTY and gained weight like I think most people probably do.

I am not exceptionally overweight (maybe 15 pounds), but I am concerned at how little exercise I am getting because I'm just. So. Sick. Worried it will elevate my BP, contribute to possible GD (I think I was borderline with DS), and make me totally unprepared for labor. If I just had the energy to go for a walk around the block, I'd be grateful, but just doing the stuff I *have* to do- bathe and dress myself and DS, fix meals (even light, easy food prep like making toast!), unloading the dishwasher, getting to work- never mind doing it, just completely takes the wind out of my sails.

Hoping to follow along with you mamas to get encouragement and ideas for keeping active and healthy.

[harmie0515]

Originally Posted by mamapigeon 

How does everyone lose weight during pregnancy? I've found I can avoid weight gain for a while by eating better, but I guess I'm not reducing my calories enough to lose...  

I'm just super sick and eat very little.  Not fun, but I have plenty to keep baby growing just fine without me eating right now.  I do gain at a "normal" rate during my 3rd trimester.  I am hoping this time to eat better during the 3rd tri and minimize that gain.

[HeatherB]

It's being very sick and starting with a surplus that does it for me. I'm not even eating well (though I did stop drinking sodas that I'd been addicted to, though now I find they soothe the nausea a little.. ). I also got the flu which made the nausea even worse (!!!) and cut my appetite to no more than half portions, twice a day. It was nuts.

I need to focus on getting plenty of water to ensure any ketones aren't affecting baby. Otherwise, I'm going to roll with it. I generally lose 10-15lbs early, maintain for months, then maybe gain 5-10 at the end. My babies have all been healthy, 7-3 to 8-4.

[mamapigeon]

Yikes, that sounds like a terrible way to lose weight! I'm not terribly nauseated and I've somehow managed to dodge winter colds... Hoping everyone feels better soon!

It is sunny here today so I went out for a walk and I feel so much more energetic! I think I've been a little too sluggish lately. I'm going to make more of an effort to move everyday.

I saw my midwife today and she said I need to drink a gallon of water/clear fluids a day! I have no clue how I'm going to manage that, but I'm guessing that if I am drinking too little I may be overeating trying to get moisture? I crave fruit pretty often.

[CraftyMcGluestick]

Originally Posted by HeatherB 

It's being very sick and starting with a surplus that does it for me. I'm not even eating well (though I did stop drinking sodas that I'd been addicted to, though now I find they soothe the nausea a little.. ). I also got the flu which made the nausea even worse (!!!) and cut my appetite to no more than half portions, twice a day. It was nuts.

I need to focus on getting plenty of water to ensure any ketones aren't affecting baby. Otherwise, I'm going to roll with it. I generally lose 10-15lbs early, maintain for months, then maybe gain 5-10 at the end. My babies have all been healthy, 7-3 to 8-4.

A bit O/T, but just wanted to say I was drinking a lot of cokes, too, HeatherB, because the fizziness was helping me produce such quality burps (sorry, gross), that it REALLY helped nausea. But then my husband brought home some Topo Chicos (the sparkling mineral water from Mexico) and this works just as well, minus caffeine and sugar and all. Really, really drinking a bunch of those because it seems all that's standing between me and lying on the floor some days. Okay, sorry for hijacking this thread.

[skycheattraffic]

I'm heavy as well and am starting out heavier than I did with DD. luckily my first pregnancy and birth was straight forward and DD was 7lb 15oz at 41 weeks. I've had more nausea this time but overall things have been good. I did an early GTT (around 14 weeks) and haven't heard back - so I'm guessing it's fine. I'm finally starting to like fruit again and am starting to stomach some veggies too. The food aversions have been pretty strong this time too. I have a MW practice following me and will deliver in a hospital (there are no birth centers in my area and I just cant do home birth). Hopefully I will not enter high risk territory. I had no issues with GD during my first pregnancy and my BP was normal to low so despite my weight (I'm size 24) I think my chances are pretty good. I was induced with DD at 41 weeks and ended up having an epidural but overall my vaginal delivery was very positive. I wish healthy pregnancies and positive births to all of you ladies

[Stormikris]

I am part of this club. Being overweight did not affect me with DS.
I was about the same weight starting out this time. Lost some due to norovirus. Was maintaining that weight for weeks. But with all the other issues recently and all my swelling I had put on 30 lbs! Some swelling has gone down so hopefully that weight is down as well. That is twice what I wanted to gain the whole pregnancy.

[thecoffeebean]

Speaking of overweight pregnancies- something the nurse said at my 12 week appointment has been bothering me. Tell me what you guys think. The RN at the practice was getting my info to put into the computer and she asked what my DD weighed at birth. I told her 8 lb 5 oz and she sort of gasped. Her first question was whether I had gestational diabetes with her. Um. No. She still seemed bothered by it and said that that was a big baby. I assured her that she wasn't that big, and that I thought the extra IV fluids plumped her up at the end. She just shook her head as if I had delivered a monster baby. What is that all about? I had been under the impression that 8 lb 5 oz was healthy and not gigantic. Do you think she said this because I am overweight? I feel self-conscious about it.

[skycheattraffic]

That's crazy! 8lb 5oz puts your DD between 50th and 90th percentile at birth - and closer to 50th than 90th for sure! And she didn't even ask about length or gestational age by the sounds of it. That's like saying everyone over 200lb is obese and unhealthy regardless of height or build. My neighbour who is like a size 4 had a baby well over 9lb while I'm a size 24 and DD was 7lb 15oz. I honestly think some practitioners are "fat phobic" and only see statistics and not the particular patient. Am I more likely to have GD or preeclampsia than the average woman? Absolutely! Does that GUARANTEE that I will have pregnancy complications and a difficult birth? Not by a long shot! Ugh I'm so upset for you. By the same token my ~32lb 22 month old has a weight problem, never mind that she's as tall as many 3 year olds and eats healthier than many adults.

[Jacksonmom]

How ridiculous!  8'5" is perfectly healthy!  Ugh.  The frustration with the medical community trying to fit everyone into a box is overwhelming!

[mamapigeon]

Coffeebean, I agree with Skycheattraffic and Jacksonmom. 8lb 5oz is healthy and normal.

My DS was 10lb 3oz and I did NOT have gestational diabetes. He just has a large frame and is becoming quite tall.

Are you happy with your care? I might consider switching if I were you, just because I would be uncomfortable with possible interventions later in the pregnancy due to their fear of another "large" baby.