Obesity

[jdrada]

I am writing to ask about obesity and pregnancy. I am not pregnant (yet), though I'd like to be. I am obese, and when I read about the higher risks of defects and complications, it scares me a lot. My weight is especially an issue because I have PCOS and fibromyalgia, so losing weight is a long process that is not going fast

Comments

[faceless_facade]

I'm considered morbidly obese and have no other health issues. I've had two homebirths and both my children are healthy.

Being overweight does not make you "selfish" for wanting children nor does it mean automatically that you are high risk. Find a fat-friendly OB or midwife and do a lot of research on pregnancy/labor/delivery and what that may mean for you.

Good luck!

[zimknits]

How does one find a fat friendly ob :/ I've never managed to find a fat friend doctor but since I'm in a bigger metro area now I'm really hoping to.

[faceless_facade]

That's a good question.

I'd start with plus size friends/associates and see if they have any recommendations. See if there's any FB groups/LJ groups (vaginapagina?)/mommy groups/etc in your area that may be able to point you in the right direction. Sometimes, it's just through trial and error, which unfortunately can be painful.

Good luck!

[2letterwords]

faceless has great ideas. I found my fat-friendly ob-gyn by asking friends and coworkers. I found a very caring and knowledgeable doctor this way.

[teri_lynn]

No. I have endometriosis, fibro, asthma, and am considered morbidly obese. However before I got pregnant I could do two miles a day, 30 minutes of cardio, and 30 minutes every other day of weight training. I was also 280. I ended up gaining 72 pounds, and 5 days after my son was born, I was at 274. I did gain a massive amount of water weight but I have always been the type to gain 7-10 pounds while I'm on my period. However they cycled me through doctors at the practice I went to, and one of them was a HUGE ASSHOLE. He sat there in front of my best friend/doula and told me to eat fruit and veggies instead of kit kats and told me to do more exercising and refused to believe me about my SPD. Thankfully he didn't deliver my son but he did end up partially breaking my water during an exam. Anyway, I second the finding a doctor in your area who isn't going to be an asshole about the weight. Weight isn't as important as your overall health. My old doctor said I was in better health than most of her older patients.

[willsjoy]

So you lost 78 lbs in 5 days? Am I reading that correctly?

[teri_lynn]

Yes. You are reading correctly. I had a really really floppy stomach for weeks, and the leg cramps from having water coming off my body so quickly sucked. However a combination of breast feeding and a long daily commute to work along with an undiagnosed food allergy saw me gain back about 20ish pounds.

[devious_angel3]

While I am not obese, I am 50lbs overweight for my size. I also have fibromyalgia which is why I chose to get pregnant sooner rather than later, as I have found my fibro getting worse and I want to enjoy my childs early years before it becomes to much for me to bear. I am 17w today and as of yet my ob has not said a word about my weight (though i did get in a bit of trouble at this last appt for not having gained at all in the last 8 weeks) and so far the only complication that they are worried about is one that is not caused by my weight. I have a bicornate uterus so my issue is having enough room for baby to grow.

[rock_grrl]

Being overweight does not mean you are selfish for wanting to have children. Some people want children and they are not selfish, no matter their size or shape.

I am considered on the verge of being obese according to the BMI charts (which are bs anyways!) - I am 5'7" and was 190lbs prepregnancy. I am pregnant with my second child and have only gained 5lbs so far (I lost some weight in the first trimester, slowly gained it back plus 5lbs) and my midwives are happy with my overall health and fitness level. I eat a healthy diet (no grains, no sugar, no processed food) and I exercise regularly - running (up until I was about 28 weeks), weightlifting and lots of walking.

Women who are physically smaller have unhealthy pregnancies and women who are larger have healthy pregnancies. Your size and shape doesn't really matter - eating healthy food and getting exercise is what's important before, during and after your pregnancy.

[050887]

I'm about 25 stone and currently 16 weeks pregnant and I'm fine, I think it depends on the person and not on the weight. I'm healthy aside from my size; no diabetes or bp issues etc. If you feel that you're fit and healthy enough to carry and give birth to a baby and are aware of the risks then go for it! x