Overweight and pregnant - Maternity.com Forums. Your Online Community for Parents and Expecting Parents.

#1 06-20-2006, 02:41 PM

I am overweight (need to lose about 80 lbs.) and my husband and I want to start a family.
I have been trying to lose the weight and seen my primary doctor about it, but the weight just doesnt want to come off!
Hubby and I want to start trying for a baby sooon.
Has anyone gone thru pregnancey with this much extra weight on them? Any suggestions or advice about doing this?

Amy · #2 06-20-2006, 05:15 PM

I actually started out my pregnancy almost 80 pounds overweight and ended up gaining only two oounds my whole pregnancy. After delivery, I had lost 20 pounds. I am not advicating this, only sahying what my situation was. I had such little weight gain, because I was so concerned with being overweight, that I ate healthier than I ever had my hwole life. Sooooooo that told me that had I put that much effor tinto it before I got pregnant, Icoul dhave done it. I had gestational diabetes and it did put my pregnancy at risk. Take at least 6 months if possible and realy commit yourself to losing some of the weight first. Drink lots of water, WALK 2 miles a day for at least 5 days a week and eat well. Trust me - you will lose some weight.

Feminist · #3 06-20-2006, 11:38 PM

Go ahead and get pregnant!! I am 100 lbs. overweight and I am in my 29th week of pregnancy with my 3rd child , this is my second baby that I've been overweight with and so far everything is just as it was when I had my first child with normal starting weight of 135 lbs. the only difference is that some of the risk factors are higher for pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, but weight gain is actually far less than with a normal starting weight. I gained 65 lbs with my first child , and with my second only 19lbs, and with this one so far I've gained 14lbs. I do NOT diet by any means , but I try to avoid salt and limit my junk food and replace it with sweet fruits instead. So good luck!!!

Melos · #4 06-21-2006, 05:32 AM

I had my first son when I was about 100 pounds overweight. I had pre-eclampsia pretty bad, but everything came out okay. I actually lost 30 pounds during my pregnancy (NOT recommended) because I couldn't eat anything for the nausea, except, for some reason, buffalo chicken strips.
My second child, I had a perfect pregnancy and I was about 80 pounds overweight through it - gained about 25 - lost that again afterward.

Go ahead and have a family, just concentrate on healthy eating as much as possible.

Tigriz · #5 06-22-2006, 04:48 AM

I would say if you can drop any weight before hand, then do so. But on the other hand, you don't want to be trying to get pregnant while depleting your body of various nutrients. My suggestion would be to try to lower your calorie intake and walk as much as possible. I wasn't overweight when I got pregnant with my son, but losing the weight afterwards has been difficult. I try to walk everyday, even if it's just through the mall, and my son loves getting out and seeing new faces.

feline · #6 06-23-2006, 07:44 AM

Doctors usually say that it is not easy for a woman to get pregnant when she is overweight. It is healthy to be of normal size, so , suggest that you trim down and be able to forget all other worries, live a stress free life, and in the end, hoping that you'll have a baby already.

Amy · #7 06-26-2006, 01:41 PM

So, I'm curious - have the comments made any difference in your approach and feelings about becoming pregnant? I'm sure there's pros and cons to the issue, but be sure to do it under doctor supervision.

La Marqueza · #8 06-26-2006, 07:31 PM

I was about 60 pounds overweight when I got pregnant and then gained another 40 pounds. This put a lot of strain on my body which is why I think I developed hypertension and had my baby two months prematurely. If you can lose any weight at all before getting pregnant do it. Drink tons of water, try to get at least 20 minutes of exercise every day and stay away from all salty foods, junk foods, sodas, and highly-processed foods.

Amy · #9 06-29-2006, 01:47 PM

Great advice La Marqueza, I agree wholeheartedlyl! NOt a bad regimine to follow after the baby is born too. The baby gets fresh air while youwalk, the water's great for you (especially if breastfeeding) and the dietary suggestions are right on!

kelkat · #10 06-30-2006, 05:17 AM

What ever you do, don't eat if you aren't actually hungry. This is especially hard when you are pregnant - atleast it was for me because everyone kept telling me not to let myself get pregnant and to always have a snack here and there. It's amazing that by following their advice I didn't way as much as a small elephant (although I did feel that way.)