Being Overweight and Pregnancy

MrsTC Posted: Jan 17, 2005 03:34 PM

Being Overweight and Pregnancy

My DH and I are TTC since September. Well, of course I went off the weight loss path because of the holidays and now I have about 20-30 lbs to lose. I would be happy with 20. I am considering putting off TTC until I lose the weight. I am only 5'2' and I have knee pain. I am thinking that if I get pg while i am overweight it will make the knee pain worse and could lead to diabetes etc. Has anyone been overweight when they got pg? I am not sure what to do

ambersmom Posted: Jan 17, 2005 03:41 PM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I was overweight when I got pregnant. I didn't fail my glucose test and the only bad side effect was that I'm having trouble getting rid of the baby weight gain (which is bad because I had alot to lose beforehand). I had some back problems immediately after delivery but I attribute that to the double epidurals more than I do weight.

steph4777 Posted: Jan 17, 2005 04:36 PM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I am overweight and 21.5 weeks pg. I haven't had any major problems, occassional back ache when I sit too long or stand when wearing heels. I don't think those problems are out of the ordinary. My blood pressure has been great.

If you can loose some of the weight before you actually get pg go for it. It just means less you have to loose after the baby.

CathyB Posted: Jan 17, 2005 06:38 PM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I'm overweight and 35 weeks pregnant. I'm 5'5' and weighed 188 when I first got pregnant. I have only gained 16 lbs. so far. I lost weight in the first trimester, since I was eating much better than I had been before I was pregnant. I was not dieting. When I first got pregnant, my doctor told me to expect 15-25 lbs, and it looks like I'm on target for there. I've had no health issues so far.

I know this isn't everyone's experience, but wanted you to hear a positive experience.

2003OCT10 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 01:06 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I was overweight when we conceived.. I actually lost weight my entire first trimester.. Total weight gain for me was about 17 pounds, but I also gave birth to a 10lb 5oz baby... I had a lot of trouble .. and still am with getting off the baby fat..

I also believe that that has to do with what you do after baby.. my 'altheticism' dropped immensely after baby, and i stopped working.. I am pretty sure thats a HUGE factor... Everybodys different though.. Have you asked your doc??

don424 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 09:44 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

OK, as a male I have NO BUSINESS on a TTC thread , but since I work in healthcare public relations and one of my main clients deals in weight loss, I've read enough on the subject. Plus, Boosh and I will be TTC this year and she has already lost 25 lbs. and has been advised by the doctor to lose another 20 before we begin.

There are alot of factors to consider -- the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension to name a few, but here's something I didn't know until recently. When you are overweight, it is difficult to view the baby via the sonogram, because of the body fat -- it shows up as snow on the screen. And then if there's a problem with the baby, the doctors may not be able to diagnose what's wrong and offer a solution until it's too late.

The bottom line is that you need to be in the best physical condition before getting pregnant. Not to say that you can't do it being overweight, it'll just be more physically taxing

The Original 2nd-time-around Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:00 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I am overweight, gained 13 lbs throughout my entire pregnancy, and 4 weeks after delivery am now 19 lbs LESS than I was when I first got pregnant.

I did have minor high blood pressure, but I had that even before I got pregnant.

All in all, yes, I think it's best to be in the best shape possible, but it shouldn't stop you from conceiving.

june262004 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:04 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I think its harder TC when you are Overweight.

Monkeybride Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:08 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

Posted by june262004

I think its harder TC when you are Overweight.

That is not always the case. I am overweight and DH and I got pregnant on our second month (first month actually using OPK).

Everyone is different. If you have regular cycles and ovulate you shouldn't have trouble getting pregnant just because you are overweight.

I read this sight for some info

Plus Size Pregnancy Website

Good Luck on TTC!

steph4777 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:21 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

Ideally, it would have been nice to loose some weight before I got pg (believe me I have a lot to loose). We had absolutely no plans on getting pg this early into our marriage. But it just happened, I was only off the pill a week and got pg. So for me my weight was not an issue for me to get pg.

Don stated some valid concerns that drs and women may have when overweight and TTC. Since you are actually planning ahead to TTC, talk to your doctor. I haven't had any of the issues Don stated and I pray that it continues that way.

If you do lose more weight before you start that is great. If you get pg before you reach your goal, I wanted to let you know that it is possible to have a healthy pregnancy while being overweight.

boosh78201 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:25 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I also want to add that if you are overweight, the doctors dont want you gaining too much weight during the pregnancy.

I have heard of women who are overweight that go on to have healthy babies, but IMO you want to as healthy as you can before you start trying to have a baby.

boosh78201 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:26 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

Posted by june262004

I think its harder TC when you are Overweight.

Not really, I would say its harder to carry the baby when your overweight.

june262004 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:36 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

im not saying its impossible. Just sometimes harder TC. Lots have people have but for some people its harder and its blamed on being Overweight. My mom Got Pregnant with me while overweight but was on a diet while pregnant.

marymoon Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:37 AM

Re: Being Overweight and Pregnancy

I read an article in Sciece TImes this past fall and it said that overweight women were much more likely to miscarry and aso to become 'high risk ' pregnancies. it also said that if you're in your early to mid thirties, it's actually BETTER to wait a few more years and take on the risk of age, if it means you'll lose 20 lbs than to get preggo now and try to have a baby when you're 20lbs or more overweight. It doens't happen to everyone and of course many overweight people have perfectly healthy children, but I know that before I TTC conceive I am going to lose the weight because I want to give my baby the best chance at good health possible.