Question for overweight mamas

Uptowngirl2009 · September 2013

So I have a question for those of you that have already given birth or that are currently pregnant and overweight.

Do you have anxiety about having a high risk pregnancy? After my first IF appointment today, it all became very real that I could be pregnant before the year is over (FX!). I know that being overweight doesn't necessarily equal high risk. My biggest fear would be having something happen where I would have to be on bed rest a good portion of the pregnancy.

Any advice, experiences or wisdom? I can tell you one thing...realizing today that I could be pregnant soon definitely makes me want to start taking better care of myself. When we had been trying for a while without success I kind of just gave up on everything because it didn't seem like it would ever happen.

Thanks for your advice! Also wanted to say good luck to all those that are getting so close to your due dates! I can't believe some of you are so close! I lurk on here quite a bit, especially on HDBD, and I am so happy for all of you (including the ones that have just recently joined GPM!).

AshleyMatt1215 · September 2013

I'm overweight and I have huge anxiety about having high blood pressure and ending up with GD or pre-e.

I've just been watching what I eat and I try to stay away from salty processed foods and I watch my caffeine intake on appointment days. Unfortunately all I'm craving is salt.

I try to go for walks and I do yoga with my clients when I can at work.

BackseatDriver · September 2013

I was not very overweight but definitely was not at an ideal weight when I got pregnant. Thankfully I didn't have any complications. I was able to stay within the guidelines for weight gain and did a lot of walking during my pregnancy. I focused on eating nutritious foods and drinking lots of water. After giving birth I actually lost a lot of weight and came down from where I was pre-pregnancy.

saisongbird · September 2013

I am definitely in the "obese" category, even though most people look at me and say I don't look that way. But numbers don't lie. However, even with minimal nausea (well, a lot of nausea, but I've only thrown up once), I just watch what I eat, don't gorge (although these days I'm finding I can't finish a "normal" meal), and I haven't gained a pound through first trimester. In fact, I am one pound lower than my initial meeting. My ob hasn't said anything yet because everything is in range. Every case is different and the best thing I'm finding I can do is just take care of myself, because that will help with stress and blood pressure, hopefully!

Uptowngirl2009 · September 2013

@saisongbird, how is your new job going? I remember you posted a while ago that you got a job. Hope it's going well!

saisongbird · September 2013

It's okay. The parents are REALLY pushy, and I firmly believe (and am pushing back) that they have NO RIGHT to tell me how to set up my classroom, which they are. But the kids are sweet, and the faculty has been nice thus far...it's just not my cup of tea. I miss middle school and MY kids.

cinderin · September 2013

I am overweight. I had GD, but GD is mostly genetic. My stick thin mom had high blood sugar in pg and her mom had an 11 lb baby (also thin). This was before GD diagnosis, but likely they had it.

My other complication was breech, which again had nothing to do with my weight. DS is/was perfectly healthy. He came on his own at 39 weeks and weighed 6 lbs 4 ounces.

I didn't gain any weight during pg. I ate healthy before pg, so while adjusting to the GD diet was a lot of work, it wasn't as hard as it could have been.

Being as healthy as you can (pre pg, pg, pp) is always good.

bobcee · September 2013

I was technically obese before both my pregnancies and had no problems or complications whatsoever. No GD, not one reading of high BP, no morning sickness, and really just very easy pregnancies, labor and deliveries. I did make sure to walk a lot and do yoga or whatever else I could during my pregnancies but I have to admit I didn't eat all that well or even exercise as much as I should've. Weight can have an affect but isn't necessarily everything. Honestly I can say I'm in better shape health wise than some people much thinner than me.

Uptowngirl2009 · September 2013

Thanks for all your replies, ladies!

Jeep Doll · September 2013

I was obese before and during pregnancy. I was already high risk because of twins, too. Luckily, I didn't gain much during pregnancy because I HATED food (still wish it was that way LOL). My blood pressure was fine during pregnancy and I didn't do much aside from trying to walk in the park or bounce around in the pool to help. No GD. In the end, I had severe edema from the tops of my thighs to my toes. BP shot up three days after I gave birth so I was put on BP meds for a couple of weeks. Everything else was fine, though. Ended up at my PP weight two weeks post partum and 20lbs below at the 6 week check up.

flowerpower3 · September 2013

I'm in the obese category, too. So far I haven't had any high BP readings (except at just before 12 weeks when I went in because of spotting....I was freaking out) and I've only gained a pound. I have my GD screening at best month's appointment and I'm a little nervous about that because of diabetes issues in my family but so far so good.

jnadoreshn · September 2013

Thank you so much for posting this. I am obese and have been having anxiety too about having a high risk pregnancy. I have no pre-existing issues aside from being obese. But my RE wants me to go for a "consult" with the High Risk Specialists. Its nerve wracking. Thank you everyone for sharing.