plus-sized pregnancy? x-post in I'm Pregnant

[Cullens_Girl]

Maybe I'll get more of a response in the I'm Pregnant forum...

Just wondering if I'm the only "fluffy" momma around. I was a size 12 and 184 lbs. when I got pregnant with DS #1. Although I switched to a mostly whole food diet I lost absolutely NO weight after the birth of DS and now two years later (and still breastfeeding) I'm pregnant with #2 and a size 18/20. I stepped on the scale at the dr.'s office today and weighed in at 228! Although I definitely know that I'm not skinny, I didn't feel fat until I read that #.


Just wondering if I'm alone with this. I'm petrified that this is going to effect my chances for a successful VBAC.

FWIW: I'm eating whole foods, high fiber, lots of fresh foods, low sugar (except a recent insatiable craving for ice tea) Also walking 2 miles a day on the treadmill. But although I'm feeling fit, I'm not seeing any weight loss.

I don't want to lose weight during this pregnancy, that's not my concern, what I am concerned about are the risks associated with being overweight and pregnant.

[Chavaleh]

I'm a size 20ish. No idea what I weigh as I refuse to buy a scale. I'm more concerned with the way I live than the amount I weigh. Besides my husband likes me fluffy and the one time I did try to diet a couple of years back (lost 50 gained back 70) he kept bringing me home chocolate. Evil man.

I really don't know about increased risks. I was a bit smaller with my first two (though not by much) but ate total CRAP through both pregnancies. Our diet is completely different now but it hasn't seemed to have any effect on my weight.

[bobandjess99]

I'm a size 24 ish, 210pounds, but barely 5 feet tall, which is why im a bigger size at a lower weight...basically, I'm round, LOL!
I had a UC for my first, planning it for my second...although we keep feeling its twins, so we'll see......and I'm also diabetic...i just simply refuse to be high-risk or to get caught up in all the possible "complications" and stuff......

And right now, I'n just mostly trying not to die of morning sickness!
I

[DoulaLMT]

Here's a great resource: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/

I've heard her give a talk about her own pregnancies/births and how she managed 2 VBACs after 2 Cesareans. I reference her site all the time, even for non plus-sized info!

[Finch]

I was fluffy with ds, I am fluffy with this kid. Size 18/20-ish. : Consider yourself lucky, I've never actually told a soul that.

So, my pregnancy with ds was fine.

The good: No GDM, no pre-e or hypertension of any kind. I only gained 19lbs. total w/the pregnancy and 10 days after delivering, I'd lost 40# (breastfeeding problems, stress, depression...). I healed quickly (c-section).

The bad: I had a wicked case symphysis pubis dysfunction, which happens more often to fluffy gals. I had a c-section, which I am fine with, but part of the reason I had it was due to that SPD which aggrevated an already existing pelvic deformity. I had preterm labor, BUT, that was more because of what I do for a living than anything.

I'm also a labor and delivery nurse, and the fluffy moms I take care of do just fine in labor for the most part. Yes, I do notice fluffier women have a harder time sometimes, but that is more due to inactivity than anything else, sometimes. If you eat healthy, exercise, and take care of yourself during your pregnancy, and stay active in labor, you have an excellent chance of getting the VBAC you desire.

[Momma2DoubleCuties]

I'm fluffy, my first I was a sz 14, 2nd a size 16/18 and now a 18/20. I've had no problems with delivery with either of my boys both great vaginal births. We eat really healthy, I've just got the nasty genes from my family and I can't lose the weight. But I know I'm fairly healthy for my size and really that's all that matters to me. But I do hate when my last OB told me that I needed to lose weight. I already know that, I don't need some random stranger telling me that.

[daysofelijah]

Hey Dani,
I'm at my "fluffiest" this time too. I just didn't lose any of the weight after the boys. I had lost a lot of it at one point, but put it all back over the fall/winter. So I am at 190 now. I was about 165 before Si. Short (5'2") so that puts me at a 18. I worry that being older and heavier it will make for a harder pgcy. But my pg with both the boys were a breeze, except for the emotions/ppd. So hopefully this one won't be too much more difficult. And hopefully I'll be able to deal with the moods better this time!
Dh just switched to first shift (yay!) so I need to take advantage of him being home in the evenings and get out for walks more.

[*knittingmomma*]

I'm fluffy here also, size 22. I experienced high blood pressure when pregnant with my dd, but I'm really hoping that by exercising I can avoid that this time. I also never really lost weight after my daughter was born, despite eating the healthiest I have in my life and exercising pretty regularly.

[happyfrog]

i'm currently at 190 lbs. lost some weight recently apparently. I don't think i look horribly fat, though, just voluptuous (my dh's term, lol).

i have a dense molecular structure. (anyone ever watch superman, lol?)

i usually gain about 100lbs during pg. my current midwife doesn't want me to do that, even though the 'excess' falls off w/in 9 months after baby is born. it's mostly protein weight - while pg i crave protein like crazy.

even though i'm a 'big' girl, i'm in better physical shape than many who are half my size. i regularly carry 70 lbs (my 2 boys - one on each hip) and walk at least once/week - once i'm not at Deaf school anymore, i'll be walking more - the grocery stores are about a mile away each way and it's completely doable to walk pushign the double stroller. . .. .

i might even recruit a pg friend to walk along with me - she has same midwife and the midwife apparently LOVES walking as an exercise.

bettyann
who has a very large family in every sense of the word - why can't medical people just accept that not everyone is 105 lbs? and yet very healthy and fit?

[Cullens_Girl]

WOW - these posts are so encouraging. I'm glad I won't be going through this alone.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by Cullens_Girl

Just wondering if I'm alone with this. I'm petrified that this is going to effect my chances for a successful VBAC.

Don't forget that WHERE you birth and WHO you choose to support you through it has *a lot* to do with how successful you are. I personally think that any "difficulties" that a plus-size woman has with labor/birthing is more often than not iatrogenic. Either b/c of the specific limitations that have been put on the woman due to the provider's own fears/hang-ups or b/c of the lack of support she may feel.

You CAN do it!

[Cullens_Girl]

Originally Posted by pampered_mom

Don't forget that WHERE you birth and WHO you choose to support you through it has *a lot* to do with how successful you are. I personally think that any "difficulties" that a plus-size woman has with labor/birthing is more often than not iatrogenic. Either b/c of the specific limitations that have been put on the woman due to the provider's own fears/hang-ups or b/c of the lack of support she may feel.

You CAN do it!

you rock. This is so true. That's why I've started meeting with a friend/acupuncturist. I'm hoping she can help boost my confidence. DH is wonderful, but not a strong coach.

[happyfrog]

i vbac'd second - but it ended up being a cbac - it was hospital birth.

very long labor and pushing. . .

that's why i'm doing home birth this time. i have a great doula (again!) and a midwife who is fine with 2 c/s incisions.

btw if you're vbac'ing I STRONGLY recommend a doula. very helpful!

[matey]

Hey ladies, i am fluffy too. I have been convinced that I have a low thyroid (I have low pre O temps and my mother thyroid problems that were diagnosed later in life), but just keep pushing on. I get really hungry with pregnancy, and it is hard to not eat total junk, but we have been eating really well at home for the most part. Only thing I am concerned about right now is a tilted uterus. Anyone know anything about those?

[wearbaby]

I'm size 18, about 195 lbs. I'm planning a HBAC for this one! I'm reading all kinds of stuff, and am walking daily, I know I'll have more endurance if I stay exercising.