Over weight= high risk?

mandy903

I had an ultrasound today at a specialist. Not my regular Dr. And the Dr had the fat talk with me and now I'm going off the deep end. She isn't familiar with me but I have ptsd after a traumatic mc and a lot of anxiety over something happening to my kids. Is it really that dangerous to be overweight and pregnant? I'm terrified of a stillbirth now!

leighann1

If your regular ob, who knows you well, has not sounded the alarm, I'm sure you're fine! Some doctors are more preachy than others, some have no bedside manner, etc. If you are super worried, call your regular doctor's office and chat with them.

While I'm sure there are some risks related to weight, there are risks with just about everything. You are doing the best you can! Added worry about a situation that can't readily be fixed won't help. What does he want you to do, go on a crash diet in your second trimester?! No thank you. Hang in there, mama!

mandy903

Thanks! She was saying diabetes and high blood pressure create a hostile environment for baby and puts me at an increased risk for early labor and for still birth. She said overweight women need ultrasounds every week the last month of pregnancy due to the heightened risk of still birth those weeks. And not to gain more than 15 lbs total. And I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure. ..And have only gained 4 lbs. She really scared me. I can't get it out of my head!

leah665

She sounds like she had horrible bedside manner. Sometimes I really dislike doctors who think there is only one type of healthy.

Yes. Being overweight could increase your CHANCES of gestational diabetes and/or hypertension, but that's not a given. Plenty of thin women develop those issues also.

Just keep taking care of you and baby, and you'll be fine. If you've only gained 4lbs that's awesome! Don't stress and keep up the good work.

mandy903

Thanks! She was acting like I already had those problems. Ugh. I hope I can shake this feeling!

MamaOwl15

Being overweight can increase your risk of diabetes, high BP/pre-eclampsia, and other pregnancy complications. This is not a death sentence for all babies born to overweight/obese moms, just a stastistic.

When you start out your pregnancy overweight or obese, you have to watch your weight gain more carefully than a "normal" weight or underweight woman, but if you're 20-something weeks and only up 4 lbs, you're probably OK.

Abyone can develop gestational diabetes or pre-e, so don't let a doctor's warnings scare you just because you're overweight. Excercise and healthy eating help, but if your body decides to develop one of those conditions anyway, you can still have a healthy baby.

I had pre-e with my son and he's now a happy, healthy 2 year old.

mandy903

Thanks it was her telling me I'm high risk for still birth that was very alarming. I hope I don't have any health problems at all. .. I've had low blood pressure but it is now evening out. But I can't get still birth off my brain now. I think I'll call my regular ob in the morning. .. I'm 24 weeks today and have my glucose test in 3 weeks.

kaza512

You are slightly higher risk for stillbirth if you are overweight, but there is still no rhyme or reason as to why they happen. (Same as why some people have heart attacks but others don't, even healthy people). Everyone is susceptible. I think weight can be brushed off by providers because they are uncomfortable talking about it, however telling you that is not helpful either. 90% of the practice I work in is overweight pregnant women and the loss rate is on par with national rate and it hasn't really discriminated in size, support system, planned or unplanned, etc.
I encourage you to strive to be healthy, and knowing that you are being as healthy as you can be puts the control back in your hands. Those type of losses are NOONE's fault, however, if you know you are being the best you can be then is helps you to eliminate those "what ifs".

mandy903

Thank you @kaza512. I'm crying reading your reply. I'm racked with guilt for gaining weight the last few years and was not over weight with my first 2 so I have never faced a Dr telling me this terrifying information. Your words made more at ease. I'm doing my best to be healthy during my pregnancy and want to lose weight desperately and will after LO is born.

mommav83

Sweetie I started out overweight because I never really lost the weight from my first. It sucks but you just eat healthy, take your prenatals, talk to your regular ob, and excersize. I started walking more and eating better. So far I'm up 6lbs at 25 weeks. The ultrasound doctor didn't say anything to me just put on my chart risks in 2nd trimester due to obesity which pissed me off bc so far I've had a healthy pregnancy. My bp is normal and glucose test is tomorrow which I'm fairly certain I will pass. Don't let someone with a bad bedside manner tell you and freak you out. The risks are elevated but there are so many other things to factor like age and other things. If your regular ob is ok then ignore this lady.

mandy903

Thank you. Other than some passing out/dizzy spells due to low bp I've had a very healthy pregnancy so far. (And Dr said low bp at that stage of pregnancy is normal) I didn't know if most Dr's give this warning to plus size mom's or if she was telling me the worst scenario as if it was happening now.

spraklepea

Sorry. That would freak me out too. I'm overweight and my OB told that because of that, prehypertension, and AMA I will get office visits twice a week at the end of the pregnancy. I also got an early glucose test which I passed. Other than that they're treating me normally. I've hardly gained any weight too and my BP has been fine.

VallieS86

Uhm, I'm overweight and I haven't been talked to about any of these things. My mom developed diabetes over the years from being overweight and just found out like 2 years ago and still no one has talked about any of it. I don't have high blood pressure though, never have. I'm sure I'll be taking the glucose test in the next couple weeks, doctor said between 26-28. I'm 25 tomorrow. I'm not worried about it. Despite my weight I'm still considered low risk. I even went to genetic counseling and no one commented about anything there. I would totally ignore the rude lady. Some people are just unhappy. There's no sense in worrying over something that's out of your control now. Like others say, eat healthy and exercise. Just take care of yourself, and your little peanut will be fine.

mandy903

Thanks ladies:)

jsliko

I just want to echo pp that it sounds like this new doc has terrible bedside manners. I am also overweight and I have already gained about 18 pounds, and so far, all good (fingers crossed!).

komorebi

There is a great site with research called plus sized pregnancy.

Some providers will treat you poorly but unless you have GD and excessive pregnancy weight gain it's bs to be labeled high risk. Skinny girls can have crap diets and risky pregnancies too. I wish bed side manner were a requirement for all drs but especially those who deal with pregnant women.

cbolton19

I'm sorry she freaked you out. Doctors get so weird about weight. I agree with PP's, sounds like she has really poor bedside manners. Pregnancy has risks all around, regardless of weight/size. Even skinny/'healthy' women can have serious risks. My cousin is super healthy (eats well, is a marathon runner, amongst other exercise) and had GD with both her pregnancies. She now has full blown diabetes. Sounds like you are on track with where you should be and if your regular OB isn't worried, try not to stress out!