Plus-Sized and Pregnant Tribe!! - Page 3

[Artichokie]

Originally Posted by avasmomleigh

Did anyone have a hard time finding a midwife or ob that was supportive b/c of weight? I am moving xcountry next month and loved my midwife here (she had an back injury, can't deliver babies anymore due to nerve damage, so I would have had to find a new one anyway), she was always so reassuring, telling me that there was no more chance of anything, just watch for gd, but was really able to calm me down from everything that I'd read about the horrible things that were supposed to go wrong with what turned out to be my wonderfully uneventful pregnancy and birth. I think some fat bias can be really subtle, at least for naive little me-I don't see it coming sometimes-how do you handle finding a practioner? Leigh:

My midwives have not mentioned my weight at all, nor have they suggested that I am at a higher risk for anything. If they've noticed that I weight over 200 lbs, they certainly haven't acted like it.

I hope you are able to find someone wonderful in your new home.

[HeatherB]

I've also had no trouble with my MW and weight. But, she's the *perfect* mdiwife for me! I started with another one in town, and while she didn't say anything either, I was more nervous with her. My MW now is so supportive and all she says when she looks at my weight each appointment is, "Well... you're pretty much back where you started!" And we chuckle 'cause we know that's how it goes for me. She does recommend avoiding sugars (and starches, this time around) at the end of pregnancy, but that's a general health thing, not a you're-going-to-gain-weight kind of thing. It also helps keep the baby from adding too much extra weight, so delivery may be a bit easier. But even then, she says, "I'm not one to say you can't have ANY sugar, but be very careful!"

Ah, yes, I love my MW!

[GinaRae]

Originally Posted by avasmomleigh

Did anyone have a hard time finding a midwife or ob that was supportive b/c of weight?

Even years ago with a CNM and now with my homebirth midwives, I have never had any fat bias with them.

But I have had major fat bias from doctors OBGYNs, regular practitioners, etc. Even when I was about 100 pounds less than I am and in a size 18 (maybe even a 16!) I've had docs very clearly hold my weight against me.

With these HB midwives, i was straight up front in an e-mail and on the phone before I met them that this is who I am and I am otherwise healthy. YES I want to be thinner, but I am who I am right now and I sure as heck can carry and birth a baby! They were perfectly okay with that and respect my wishes when it comes to testing. I asked for my sugar to be tested at each appointment with a finger stick, and that's it so far!

I have had some water/food intale problems and they're more concerned about that because my urine is showing protein and keytones. They said I could gain whatever I wanted as long as I am eating well. I am not eating enough protein or drinking enough SO that's been my trouble,. They said I may end up risking out of my HB with them if my lack of intake causes toxemia, etc. But NOTHING about my weight. Except that one MW eluded to my possibly not eating/drinking because I didn't want to gain... grrrrrr

[mamabearsoblessed]

My m/w is amazing! She knows I'm overweight, I know I'm overweight but its not an issue. With the exception of how physically sick I get in pregnancy I am blessed ~ knock on wood~ with very healthy, uneventful pgs and she acknowledges how wonderful that is and not my weight. She tells me I have a beautiful body, made to nurture and birth babies. We joke that I'm on an unconventional weight loss plan while pg and how the only time I had consistent high bp was when seeing my first RE. I know she may not be usual and I am soooo lucky to have her. The other 2 in her practice are the same, in fact one of the other m/w is quite heavy herself.
At their office you walk in, check your own urine~ let them know if its off on the stick, weigh yourself, write it down on your chart. She takes my bp and we chat from there.
As time goes on I've come to acknowledge that I deserve care that validates me. I've had no trouble firing pediatricians, advocating for my children, or my husband, why should I accept less than the best for myself? I shouldn't, none of us should.: Its taken time to get to that place, thats for sure.
I was lucky, my m/w worked along side the ob/gyn I had with my first birth and I eventually left the ob practice to join up with her midwifery one once she was there as a partner and not just part time. I should have gone earlier, the other mw are just as amazing .
Avasmom~ you'll find your match .

[avasmomleigh]

Thanks for the reassurance! I have had so many negative OBGYN experiences (subtle things about my weight, I should expect horrible things when pregnant, breast cancer risk, the whole thing. So, I only go to MW, but I fell in love with the first one I met-I hoped she wasn't an exception!), I feel better! Thanks, Leigh

[clutterbug]

I am so happy to find this thread!! I am not quite four weeks along with my second. I'm 5ft8 and right now I weigh about 218 and am in size 18 or 20. My last pregnancy, I started out around 189 and peaked at 235, got down to 205 about 2 months postpartum and then weight started going up again as DS starting eating solids (it is actually pretty amazing to look at photos over the months, there is a pretty strong correlation!).

Anyway, right now I am about the weight I was a few days after DS was born, so I am hoping to stick near this number since it worked well for me last time! I am also worried about encountering bias and negativity with health care providers, I saw enough of it last time and I was almost 30 lbs lighter then! We are looking into having a midwife and (if all goes well) homebirth this time, so I'm hoping that will help. We'll see, I guess.

Lovely to meet you all!

[mama_ani]

Hello everyone! I'm glad to have found this thread. I'm pregnant with my fifth baby and am overweight. I'm 80 lbs heavier than I was when I had my first (12 years ago) and just about at the weight I was when I delivered my son 18 months ago.
I've lost about 5lbs so far in this pregnancy because I've been sick. I'm hoping to not really gain much at all. I am going to Curves 3-5 times a week and hope to keep it up as long as I can.
I meet my midwife for the first time in a week and I worry about any comment on my weight. I hope it won't be a reason me from a homebirth! I want this to be my first homebirth since I had all my others in a hospital.

[Teenytoona]

Well, still no outward pregnancy show (at 16w3d), but that's ok. My lower abdomen is feeling very puffed out lately - esp in the afternoon/evening. No real need for maternity clothes though. Sigh... I wish I did, they're so cute!

How is everyone doing and feeling? All is well I hope?

[thismama]

Originally Posted by Teenytoona

Well, still no outward pregnancy show (at 16w3d), but that's ok. My lower abdomen is feeling very puffed out lately - esp in the afternoon/evening. No real need for maternity clothes though. Sigh... I wish I did, they're so cute!

How is everyone doing and feeling? All is well I hope?

I didn't show til 8 months with my daughter, and then I REALLY showed!

[GinaRae]

Things are not going so well for me right now. I've got liver issues apparently and it's gotten much worse. If I end up having to transfer care away from my HBMWs I may just end up in a $#!& storm of docs and others that will make life hard as I go through the third trimester and possibly a scheduled c/s early.

But, if this is a serious liver issue like pre-e, choleostasis, HELLP, etc.. it could mean the baby's life, so I will have to just deal with it as best I can.

I don't know as the liver thing is associated with my weight - meaning I don't think the liver thing came on due to weight, but I have had liver issues before and I think it's something that helps keep my weight where it is. No one will think of it that way though.

I've had two accupuncturists (one in NY and one in CA) tell me I have liver issues that need to be resolved. But I didn't know I was having symptoms (because my symptoms were not things like jaundice). Now though, I am definitely having liver issues that are causing problems with the pregnancy.

Whoa is me
I am trying to stay positive. But even my MWs seem to think this is an issue I am noncompliant on and may be giving up on me.

[Anno]

I was just about to post about being overweight and pregnant and then I found this thread! I am just 5.5 weeks pg with #2 but am almost 40 lbs heavier than I was when I got pg with ds. Sigh. So far so good but am dreading possible comments about my weight. I dont think I will get any though, my ob is pretty cool - she actually told me I wasn't fat when I got pg with ds at 180 lbs and 5'5"! I am now 209. Sigh. My goal is to try and stay the same weight, ie not gain.

[dynamicdoula]

I'm 230 at 33 weeks pregnant, which is my exact pre-pregnancy weight! I'm feeling pretty darn good about that, honestly. I'm measuring where I should be and all is well.

[DBZ]

Well this is my tribe too. I was just about to post in my DDC. My pre-preg weight was 265. I've unfortunatly gained about 8 lbs already. I'm 14 weeks. I was on Weight Watchers until I found out I was preggo. I had lost 35 lbs. I was very pleased when my MW said that WW was a great "diet" to follow while pregnant. I'm determined to go walking 3 times a week until it's too cold to take my 2 yo out.

[Teenytoona]

elcome to all you new folks! Glad you joined up!

Anno, don't worry about people's comments. I don't think 180 and 5'5" is all that big personally. Just know that you are gorgeous, and who cares what the meanie freaks think!

Gina, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through all this! Liver problems are such a big deal, even when not pregnant. I'm not sure how it affects your pregnancy, but I hope that you are able to work everything out. Keep us informed and let us know how you're doing. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts til then.

DynamicDoula, that is wild! I keep hovering right in my pre-pregnant weight zone (I've never been at one number), and I"m in 17th week. Funny how that goes, isn't it?

DBZ, nice to meet you! I tried WW for a while, before I moved, and had some success with it, but to me, it seemed like it was way low on the intake. I used to have probably a major cheat a week (several points, possibly in the teens-twenty range), and still usually come out with ~2 lb losses. Of course, that was when I was diligent about working out too. I haven't been since the move, but I'm inspiring myself this week. I so want to be in solid shape for labor!

Thismama, it really took you til 8 months to show? Boohoo! I'm tired of looking the same, I feel like I'm fibbing to everyone because I've got nothin' to show for it! hee hee

[mamabearsoblessed]

Welcome to the newbies .

So my m/w visit this week has me 26 lbs below my weight at conception. I was surprised I lost a couple more lbs because I've been feeling better and have been ravenous some days. Althou there are still days where I can't eat much of anything.
It's kinda wild actually. But typical for me in pregnancy. I really pray I can keep it all off and continue to lose postpartum this time. I always gain it all back within the year. NOT THIS TIME!! I can and will do this.

A great week to all!!!

[GinaRae]

I'm still here and kickin'!

I just popped out more at 28 weeks, so I think I actually look pregnant to the world now. Depends on the shirt still sometimes. I am wearing tighter shirts proudly now so I can actually look preggo

Still waiting on my bloodwork (MW appointment tomorrow) but I am assuming it's not an emergency since they haven't called.

I have a liver issue, but I am wondring if how badly I feel is coming from foods like eggs, dairy and wheat instead?!?!?! I don't know how I will be able to find out. I may just try and stay away from those.

Anywhoo, I'm reading all the posts from all the mamas like me

[lactivist]

I am now a week away from my "due" date. I had contractions last night during sleep (which I usually don't get) and got a bit excited but nothing happening today. I can't wait to meet this little one. It won't be much longer now. I am really pleased that I only gained about 23 pounds this pregnancy. I hope it comes off quickly. I am looking forward to breathing and bending again.
Wendi

[princesspennie]

I think I might be joining this group!

I am 37, soon to be 38 in October, I have a son who will be 2 at the end of this month. I am 5'3 and weigh 215.

With my son I started at 196 and got up to 221.

After birth a weighed 203 and have gained about 12 pounds since having my son.

I am about 2 days late and just took 2 "Fact Plus" brand tests and they both were positive, so I am pretty sure I am preggers..


My husband will be excited.

[lactivist]

Congratulations Princess!
Wendi

[mamabearsoblessed]

Welcome and Congrats Princess!!

~~Peaceful Labor, Healthy Birthing vibes to you Lactivist!!! Keep us posted!! It is sooooo exciting! ~~