Plus Size Pregnancy?

Question

Hi everyone. Well first off, I have a 2 year old son. I was plus size before I got pregnant with him. I was treated okay by the doctors I saw, but was always given the song and dance about being a plus sized pregnant woman and how that isn't a good thing...blah blah blah. I went to the doctor recently because we want to try for a second. He told me I have to lose weight first. I am tired of being treated like a second class citizen, or like I am an unfit parent because I am packing a few extra pounds. Anyone else in this situation? I feel like I can't have a child now, because of what he said. I have to lose weight first....nice.

Answer 1

How plus size are you? Doctors usually don't say anything unless it's a possible hazard to your health or your unborn child's health.  If I were in that situation I would stop being lazy and just lose the weight. It's really not that hard, you just have to actually WANT it and have control with your food portions. I would feel really bad if something happened to my child because of my weight when that's something that I can control.

Answer 2

First of all, Dolfin F, you are very ignorant!  Obviously, you've never had a weight problem.  Why don't you do some research...you'll realize that fighting a weight problem is one the hardest things anyone can do.  I think you are the "lazy" one for not educating yourself before you speak.  What about people who surround themselves with smoke, eat junk food or do strenuous activity while pregnant...their babies also have a chance of being unhealthy.

Anyway, I too am plus size so the doctor always kept an closer eye on me incase I developed high blood pressure or diabetes while pregnant.  Everything was fine and my son is fine.  He is now 4 months and I recently mentioned to her that we would like to try again around Christmas time so they'll be close in age.  She did suggest that I try and lose 10% of my body weight as this greatly decreases stress on the heart and that way I will only be back up to what I weigh now when I'm at the end of my pregnancy (since larger women usually don't gain as much anyway).  I'm very lucky...she didn't say I had to lose it, just that it would be easier on me later.  The doctor I had my whole life (changed last year because I moved) was terrible.  I used to be on the low end of what they consider healthy and gained a huge amount because of medication I was on about 5 years ago...when that doc saw my weight, she said "getting pretty fat aren't we??" so I totally understand how degrading they can make you feel.

If you feel healthy, are planning to eat well and keep yourself active while pregnant, go for it.  Sorry for the long answer, I just go soooo mad when I saw that first answer...lol.

Answer 3

I was a size 14 when I got pregnant with my son and am only 5'1".  If you are healthy and don't over indulge on things that aren't necessarily the greatest things for the baby, then don't worry about what your Dr. says.  Its not the size of your body that matters, but the size of your heart!!!  If you are a good Mom, your kids could care less how big/small you are!!!

Chin up!!!

Answer 4

If you are overweight when pregnant you increase your chances of the baby having problems as well as you getting diabetes.  The doc is not treating you like a second class citizen.  He is just concerned for your health.

Answer 5

he is only telling you that because it is better for you and the baby.  he is not being mean or treating you like a second class citizen or an unfit parent.  being over weight is not good for you or that baby and can result in earlier delivery, high blood pressure or other complications.  you should read up on overweight pregnancy to understand more.  

if you are not statified with your dr. opinions or comments (which they are there to do what is best for you and baby) then find another one, however they will tell you the same.

Answer 6

You know what... I have a 17 month old daughter that has NOTHING wrong with her.  I was 195 lbs when I got pregnant with her and ended up 248 when I went into the hospital.  I had an EASY birth... 6 hours of labor and no pain killers.  Being over weight doesn't change the delivery... and my daughter came out (for lack of better word) "perfect".  She had nothing wrong with her when she was born and has nothing wrong with her now.  Overweight people have been having people for flippin ever.  BUT I would ask if your doc has any particular reason why.

Answer 7

I know many women..myself included who are plus size and have normal healthy pregnancies.

People just love to hate on us big people. I had a woman who smoked heavy during all her pregnancies lecture me on being healthy! you want to shake some people sometimes because they have no idea how hard it can be to lose weight. I t is not as simple as some would like to think.

Myself and my baby were fine and I was constantly bugged by everyone to eat healthy ect ect. My sister who is thin, eats extremly well developed all kinds of things when she had her baby.

I know how you feel about doctors tho...they blame everything on being fat.

Now that my son is around i am working hard to be healthy because I want to see him grow up. Go ahead and have your second baby and take care of yourself so you can live long too!

Answer 8

No you're right. The doctor IS treating you differently. I've been called blatantly FAT by a doctor once, and I'm not. I'm barely 15lbs above what THEY consider normal. Just because I don't weigh 100lbs doesn't mean I'm not normal sized. If you're plus size, it can put some risk on a pregnancy, but from what you're saying, you're not obese or very very over weight, so tell you're doctor to shove it, that yeah you'll lose a little weight for a child, but you shouldn't have been told in the way he told you. Stand up for yourself.

Answer 9

I've never been skinny.  I'm tall and big boned and very muscular so I've never ever wore a single digit pants.  That said, my doctor never mentioned anything during either of my pregnancies.  The first time around I was maybe 15 lbs overweight though.. second time, probably around 40 like you.  But during my second pregnancy, I only gained 15 and lost 30 after having the baby.  Lost more due to breastfeeding, so it could actually help you lose weight after the baby is born.

However, I've gained it back after I quit breastfeeding so my doctor might say something to me now.. I feel you though, some doctors need to work on their bedside mannor.

Answer 10

Oh honey, I'm there with you.   I will never forget the horrible OB's I've had over the years.  One in particular.  It was the first time I had gone to her and she was asking me the normal "first visit" stuff.  She had asked me 3 questions (are you here for any problems?, are you sexually active?, what birth control are you using?).  After I answered that I was not on birth control because we were trying to get pregnant, she looked me up and down and declared "you are not going to get pregnant until you lose a lot of weight.  Like A LOT".  After that I tuned her out.  And not for the fact that she essentially told me I was fat.  I'm not blind, I am a big girl.  But for the fact that she knew NOTHING ABOUT ME!  She had no idea if I had any hormonal problems such as PCOS, or even how long we had been trying.  h**l, she didn't even know if I had any kids!  She just looked at me and saw a fat girl and made her own assumptions.  

I now go to a OB who treats me as an individual person and not a "potential problem".  I have no problem with people telling me facts.  Yes, a plus size pregnancy CAN have the potential for more problems, but that doesn't mean that it's GOING to.  A lot of doctors do not see that.  It can take a bit to weed out the bad ones.  A good doctor will focus on you eating healthy and getting your body strong for an upcoming pregnancy, not the number on the scale.  

Good luck with your doctor search.  I hope you find a good one.

Answer 11

I completely feel u girl! My doctor said the same thing to me before I got pregnant.. Some doctors even refused to treat me because of my weight. I felt like the doctors thought it was like gross for an overweight pregnant women to give birth. I have had four children and I haven't had problems at all!! Just get through it and exercise during pregnancy thats what I did.

GOOD LUCK!!