2008! Plus-sized and Pregnant Tribe! - Page 12

[julesinottawa]

Well, so far I haven't had a call from the high risk place so maybe they'll take so long to call that it won't be a factor. I do have to go there for another ultrasound on the 23rd so maybe they'll bring it up then. I was thinking of walking on the treadmill a bit to see if I can just get my fitness up a bit. I'm trying to garden but it's not easy weeding in this state, lol.

[~Megan~]

Wanted to post an updated belly pic.

27 weeks

The last two times my picture taking really slowed down towards the end and I don't actually have anything in the last month from either pregnancy. I hope to remedy that this time.

[lifeguard]

I don't know why I didn't notice this thread before but how wonderful.

I have to say I am soooo relieved to read other women who are feeling/looking just fat not pregnant - I HATE it - I want so badly to look pregnant.

So, I am at 17 weeks right now with my first after 6 years of trying (I have pcos). I started at 5'9" 213lbs but had just lost 70lbs. I'm really hoping to keep my gain to under 10lbs but I'm not sure that's going to happen as I'm already halfway there.

[julesinottawa]

You look fabulous Megan, radiant!

[spiderdust]

I really need to get some pregnant belly pictures of myself...

[avivaelona]

Oh hi, I never noticed this thread before. Will have to read a little bit to catch up.

[gagin37]

Originally Posted by joslin

I have been looking for info about being plus sized and pregnancy weight gain. My pre-preg weight was. . .um. . .let's just say heavy and I have gained 5 lbs at 28weeks. I do not feel like I am compromising the baby's health or dieting or anything, I am barely able to eat as much as he seems to want me to- so I know he is fine, but I wondered if this was normal. My midwives have not brought it up so they must not think it is a problem, but I am wondering when he will start packing on the pounds and how much I could expect to gain, since I started heavy.

Also I am planning on not taking the 28 week glucose test for GD next week, and I know they will try to persuade me since I am overweight, has anyone else turned this down? Other than my weight I have no risk factors or family history and my diet is fabulous.

Hey, I was just reading through some of the posts, and I am in a similar position to you, although I'm only 27weeks as of today. I started out pretty big as well, and so far, I have gained no weight at all. I've been steadily losing a couple lbs each month or so. I'm down about 7lbs from my prepregnancy weight. I've been seeing a midwife group at the hospital I'm going to deliver at, and not one of them has said anything about the weight loss. In fact last time I went in, they were very encouraging that I'd lost 3 more lbs. When I first went in, they said I should gain no more than 15lbs by time to deliver. The baby seems to be measuring fine though, and I can feel how much bigger he has gotten in the last month, so I know he's growing.

About the GD, I wasn't given much of a choice about the test. In fact I had to take it at 19weeks, and they want me to take it again at 28, because of my weight and my family history. But I've been doing well for the most part on my diet, and I exercise very regularly, so I am not too concerned about it at this point.

[~Megan~]

Claire, my only concern would be that they are encouraging of the weight loss and critical of gain more than 15lbs.

They should be focusing on your diet instead. If you are eating well it doesn't matter what you gain or loose. I hope this doesn't become an issue for you. Though if it does I hope you can stand up to them and explain what you've been eating so that they can see its not about pounds its about nutirition.

[gagin37]

Thanks... the whole weight gain/lose experience has been a little frustrating honestly. I have been trying to be as healthy as I can with my food choices and the exercise. I would have expected to have gained some by this point though. I feel like I eat a lot.

I have been to see a nutritionist twice now, and ended up leaving more frustrated than when I left though. The first visit, I was told I absolutley had to gain at least 15lbs while I was pregnant. Sheesh. I do keep a food and exercise journal. But when I went in to the nutrionist last month, she was very critical of some really minor stuff (ok, so I had fat free pretzels as a snack twice in one day), even though I had continued to lose since my last appointment. Then she turns around and fusses because I did lose more weight, but tells me I also don't need to be gaining too much. It makes me not want to go back, because I feel like I can't win with them. I have another appointment with the midwife clinic, and the nutritionist next week, so we'll see how it goes.

I do agree with you, about it not needing to be so much about the number, as it is simply being healthy.

[avivaelona]

That would annoy me too Claire. Heavier women often don't gain during pregnancy, I always lose some.

I guess I should introduce myself, I'm Erica, but I also answer to Aviva or Avivaelona, this is my third pregnancy, but I lost my first son half way through the pregnancy. I'm on the low end of plus size at this point but have struggled with my weight all of my life. In my first pregnancy I lost 15 pounds, In my last pregnancy I ended up losing 40 pounds and so this time around I really am trying to keep my weight stable...so far have lost 5 pounds or so. As long as I don't lose forty again, I'm happy. I eat well and watch my blood sugar (I'm officially diabetic and I'm on metformin) but for some reason during pregnancy I lose weight. I always wish I could change my non-pregnant metabolism to the one I have when I'm pregnant! So I'm a diabetic, plus sized, over forty woman with a previous loss due to an Incompetant Cervix trying to have as unmedical a pregnancy and birth as possible within those limitations. ...an interesting challenge. Nice to meet you all.

[autumnbloom]

Heavier women often don't gain during pregnancy

Some dont, at least not at first... but most women do gain, and its healthy to.

[StarMama]

Hello all! I'm so happy to have found this thread!!

I'm Lisa, 30, pregnant with my second due december 19th. My son Orion is 4 (will be 5 in September) and he says it's a boy (he won't even listen to 'it might be a girl') and wants to name him Armadillo.

I'm 237 pounds now and 5'5", started this pregnancy at 246 and having so much m/s has a lot to do with that! I did the same thing when pregnant with Orion, after he was born I weighted less than I did when I got pregnant. Not by a lot, but I was ok with that

So far I'm seeing an OB at kaiser and have had one appointment. No mention of my weight but they already want me to do a GD test and I've been putting it off because last time I tested positive, but normal eatting at home (including sugary foods) never spiked my blood sugars and my son was 7lbs 12ounces. I just think it was crap and have been doing research into the whole GD thing to make an informed decision.

I'm hunting for a good midwife in my area to switch care to after the 16 week mark (after the big ultrasound and all the blood testing) since we'll have to pay out of pocket. My husband is once again totally flipped out over the expense (but last time I had an unneccisary induction and I'm NOT going to the hospital to birth again unless something is actually *wrong* and I have to), but seriously the day your child is born is as huge of an occasion as a wedding and you spend way more on those usually!

I read over the whole thread over a couple days but heck if my forgetful pregnant brain can remember what I wanted to comment on now!

Its nice to meet you all

[spiderdust]

Originally Posted by StarMama

I'm hunting for a good midwife in my area to switch care to after the 16 week mark (after the big ultrasound and all the blood testing) since we'll have to pay out of pocket.

Which part of California are you in? If you're up my way, I can recommend a good (and not ridiculously expensive!) midwife.

[StarMama]

East Bay area, about 30 minutes from SF.

[StarMama]

Pregnancy photos 39 weeks Sept 2003

With hubby showing off our couples' tattos

I also have a nude one that doesn't show bits, but I'm not quite sure that's ok to share on MDC

[khanni]

plus-size friendly Midwife in Bay Area

I have a fantastic midwife who does births in the east bay as well. Her name is Nancy Myrick. I used her for both my kids, and she has NO problem with plus-size women. 415.902.7969, http://www.ihomebirth.com

[heidirk]

Hi, I'm joining, too

I'm 5'9" and 244 when I got preggo this time. I'm 20 weeks, though, and am only 248 right now.

Their main beef with me is that I was 214 when I got preggo with DS, and 242 when I delivered him. At my six week check, I was 216. I'm convinced it was a combo of extreme sleep deprivation, stress with DH, and Depo shots that helped me gain it all back.

I just switched to a Birth Center, the OB was insisting on an early GTT, which I 'accidentally' missed the window for. The MW's said I could do the meal test at home instead of the liquid. I know I don't have GD, it doesn't run in my family, and I'm normally Hypo-glycemic, not high. My GTT for DS was a 94!

Nice to find all of you!

[joslin]

Following up on GD

I just wanted to follow up: at my midwife visit I declined the initial glucose tolerance test and there was no pressure. She asked me why, I told her about reading the Henci Goer article (http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregna...,,9z3m,00.html) and that I had a look into the few available scientific journal articles.

She was AOK with me skipping it and asked if I minded if they did a random glucose level on my blood since they were going to do a blood test for iron levels anyway. I told her "No problem", since my issue is with putting things INTO my body, not with them taking them out. But I did tell her that if it turned up abnormal I was not going to pursue it further, just to be prepared.

Needless to say all was fine.

[StarMama]

Khanni thank you, their site looks wonderful and Nancy looks so warm and loving. I sent them off an email.

Oooh heidirk there is a window for early GTT? I didn't know that... what is it? I'm really avoiding testing at the moment here while I make up my mind on the whole issue (it just seems like such bs with my last experience).

[heidirk]

StarMama- Yeah, I think they want it before 14 weeks? Maybe 16?

My issue is a. the stupid reason they want it, which is, my BMI is high so I must have GD. :
and b. putting that much pure glucose into my body. The baby has to deal with it too, and I just read something somewhere about how much stress that much sugar (and therefore insulin) places on the baby. Especially at 14 wks.

At least at 28 wks, the baby's pancreas is functioning and can help by producing insulin on it's own.

It's just crazy what they're willing to do to me and my baby just because some guy found a neat formula and turned it into a chart. Not to mention the fact that BMI doesn't include muscle mass, and muscle burns more calories than fat. I am more healthy at this weight that my stick skinny friend.

Sorry for the rant !