Pregancy and plus Size

S., I just want to commend you for fostering teenage boys. That is a tough job! M.

Hi, S.--I'm a plus size mom who's never had trouble conceiving, so I can't give you advice with regard to that topic, but I would like to share with you the most helpful web site I found during my last pregnancy: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/firstindex.html . There you will find information about conceiving, finding the right caregivers, birthing options, postpartum issues...so much you wanted to know and didn't even know you wanted to know!

Healthy is the key! I worked out everyday, you don't need to be skinny to have a baby, but healthy helps!

Hi! I am plus size and have a 5 month old. We tried and tried without success after a miscarriage, but after a year we did it! Weight has a lot to do with it though. You can read lots of articles about health and weigh issues, but in the end, stress plays a big role. Eat healthy, love yourself, don't stress out, and remember you are having fun. When I say love yourself, pamper a little, go get a pedicure, make sure when you look in the mirror, your really happy, not just pretending. I know it is hard when you are trying and not succeeding, but it will happen. I had a rough pregnancy, nothing would stay down, I was in the hospital a lot, nut I still want another child, later though. A lot later. I am planning for another in about 3 years, I want to spend quality time with my gal, make sure I let her enjoy her mommy and me time, and then, when she is a little bit independant, we are hoping to introduce her to a baby sibling. Just enjoy the joy of wanting a baby. Remember that there are women out there that don't want children, you want one!! Pretty soon you'll get there and BOOM! 9 months will fly by! Good Luck and God bless!

I was plus size prior to my pregnancy and during (obviously). I think the only thing I found difficult was ignoring the doctor telling me I was gaining too much weight too fast, and finding maternity clothes that fit. You would think maternity stores carried larger sized clothes....not where I live! Due to my pre-pregnancy weight (170), I was to only gain about 25 pounds. About 45 pounds later (and eating all the food I could reach)...I gave birth to a healthy 8 pound baby boy. But I found that after I had my son, I was able to lose weight easier. After 6 months, I got back to pre-pregnancy weight of 170. After 6 more months (1 year total), I lost another 20 pounds. I'm still trying to lose more weight - but if this is what it takes to lose weight for me - then I need me another pregnancy!

This is just my experience. I'm not sure what you were looking for exactly, but there you go :)

Hi S. --

I also was in this situation. Like another responder, I had/have polycystic ovarian syndrome -- which is really an endocrine problem and is related to insulin resistance.

During the year before I got pregnant (naturally), I changed the way I eat profoundly. I followed the dietary ideas in the book The Schwarzbein Principle, and they helped me a lot. I increased protein quite a bit (lean sources), ate whole grains, and had lots and lots of leafy greens. I tried to stay away from processed foods and chose whole grains (like brown rice or wheat berries) instead of bread when I could.

When I was pregnant, I did develop Gestational Diabetes, and this had to be monitored carefully. However, the way I learned to eat before I got pregnant helped me manage better during the pregnancy. I was able to control my blood sugar through diet only.

Best of luck to you!

-C.

S.,
Well I am currently preggo with my second child, and yes I am more than plus size, my first is 6 1/2 years old and I am due in a few weeks with number 2 ( both girls) I have no real medical conditions, aside from my weight, however it did take almost 3 years for us to get preggo again naturally, after I went off the pill, so patients may be a good piece of advice and just keep working with your doctor and I wish you the best of luck!

So I was in the same boat and I now have 3 children. It was a simple matter for me-fertility wise-because I have polycystic ovary syndrome. The doc put be on provera (not a fertility drug) and each time I was pregnant a few months later. As far as losing weight-it's a daily battle for me. I was never overweight until I had my first child and it's been tough ever since. I now at least weigh 40 lbs less than I did when I found out was pregnant with my son (he's 1 year now) and I'm trying not to be so hard on myself and know that little changes will make a difference. Make exercise a daily goal to start. I follow the weight watchers plan. Anyway, good luck.

HI S.,

We tried for 5 years before we had our twins, I have PCOS. We were on our last round of clomid before we were going to start IVF process. I don't have diabetes now but my doctor says it's only a matter of time before I get it - it runs on both side of my family. Sure enough I had gestational diabetes. My doctor's took really good care of me though. I saw my regular doctor every two weeks!! I saw a nutrionalist right away and starting to eat right and I walked for as long as I could - it was hard to get around towards the end. I actually ended up losing weight afterward - I gained it back since then. It was just so much easier to take care of myself because I knew it was best for the babies. In the end I had two healthy babies, a boy (6 lbs 4 oz) and a girl (6lbs 1 oz).

I am also plus size. I have three children and the only thing that I had a problem with was my back. My Doctor suggested special back strengthening excercises for me and they really helped. Also after the third month I had a lot of pressure in my pelvic groin area, and it really HURT! There where techniques for releaving that too though they didn't work very well. Mostly as a plus size mom and knowing what you are going through and about to go through I say take it easy as much as possible, take time to yourself you will be glad that you did after the baby is born, and always take time for you after the baby comes too. Over eating won't really be a problem as soon you won't want to eat much. Good luck to you!!!! And congradulations!!!

S.,

I was right where you are now not too long ago. I was over weight my whole life. I was a really bad eater, a heavy smoker and never wanted to exercise. I too am hypothyroid because of my past habits. I was able to get it all under control and I think you are on the right track to doing the same.

I am now a certified nutritionist and I would love to help you. I would like to offer you a fee evaluation. This way we can make sure you are getting what your body needs everyday.

You can give me a call at ###-###-#### or you can visit my website at www.herbalmom.com. We can then set up a time to talk.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.

L.

Hi S., I am also a plus size woman. I did not have any problems getting PG. but when I did I was PG with twins and only gained 25lbs. That is also what the doctor said when I was first PG that because of my weight I would not gain too much weight. I loved being PG. Good luck.

I am also a full figured gal. I have Polycystic Ovarain Disease
also known as PCOD. I did not use any birth control from the birth of my youngest baby ( who will be 4 in March) and no pregnancy. I had to use clomid for all of my pregnancies. My first resulted in a set of boy/girl twins and then their younger sister. I am currently just beginning my 2nd trimester of pregnancy with my 4th baby (3rd pregnancy) I again had to use clomid to get pregnant. I also used metformin (glucophage) because I have insulin resistance which id different than diabetes. It is where you have a high level of insulin but normal blood sugar levels. Feel free to write back if you have any specific questions or just want to chat. I wish you the best of luck on the meds.

Hi S.,
My name is S. and I am responding to your message for 2 reasons, 1, I've thought about becomming a foster parent and I'd love to talk to you about it and hear of your experiences.
2, I just moved to Portland from NY and would love to meet another mom just to hang out with. I too have made a decision to do better for my health, and joined a gym. If you are interested please respond.
S. A.

I am also a plus sizer and I had a perfect pregnagcy. That is until my baby was estimated to be 12 pounds. I gained 15 lbs through the whole pregnancy and after my son was born, I actually weighed 10 lbs less that when I got pregnant. I watched what I ate and switched to diet soda. was tested for diabetes and the result was negative. I also take Thyroid meds. My Thyroid goes really high and really low so my meds just keep it steady. Its called Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I got prego arter only two months of trying. My biggest advise is to NOT STRESS about weight once you are prego. You will gain some and that is excatly what yur baby needs. Just watch what you eat and start your baby out in life with good eating habits, which I believe, start in the womb. Hope this helped.