Plus Size Mommas

babybelugaco

Just wondering if there are any fellow plus size moms in here! 
How are you all doing? 
I've been looking for some places with cute maternity clothes and I'm worried by the measurements I've seen listed they may not work for me. I'm typically a 22 in jeans and a 2x in tops. 

robynlynn2000

Hey maybe we are about the same size. I posted a question a ways back about being concerned about gaining weight when already plus sized. I wear size 22-24 in pants, and they are getting snug. Ive been wearing jeans that have the elastic (I feel so huge, and not because im pregnant). I usually wear 2x tops also. I work in a factory so I dont like the idea of spending good money on good clothes to ruin them with weld burn or dirt and grime.

The last time I was pregnant (8yrs almost) I got away with black yoga pants and spome khakis that had the pantyhose like top. But I was a cashier. My job requires jeans or durable khakis. So I'm also trying to figure out the maternity clothes for this. Unfortunately the store designed for this are about 45 min away, and only carry sizes that are too small. 
Im a fiem believer in trying things on so i dont want to order online. But i have seen on Pinterest ideas about altering pants at home using jeans and a tank top. I love to sew so i might try that.

tmk2021

I’m a size 16-18 and I’m really tall, so I totally get the clothing issue. I’m feeling huge and I’m absolutely dreading shopping for maternity clothes!

Luckily, I’m almost 11weeks and all of my clothes still fit with only a few becoming a tad tight. So that makes me feel a little better! I’m hoping I can squeeze another month out of my jeans before I need to go on the search. 🤞🏻 

I also prefer to try on clothes before buying. I’m built like a pear, with a smaller waist and bust but wide hips and thighs. So bottoms specifically are difficult to fit my waist and legs properly while also being long enough. 

I’ve looked at Walmart and Target, but I’m not finding a lot of selection in my size. We may have to be resourceful and do some digging to find cute and comfy clothes. Where else have you guys looked?

Long story short, I totally understand the struggle and I’m wishing us all healthy and happy pregnancies with little to no worry on our size. We’re growing human beings after all, we need to be kind to ourselves!

sassypants2010

@babyroma we're pretty much the same size! I went to old navy and Kohl's online for pants, also thrift stores sometimes have some in. 

merigoround

@taylork2020 I’m a 16/18 too. 5’9.
so far my clothes still fit, but I can tell that I won’t get as lucky with this pregnancy as I was with my daughter. I didn’t need maternity at all when I was pregnant with her and I didn’t even show until 8 months.
im currently pregnant with twins and my doctor told me to start shopping now because by 12 weeks I’ll be popping.  I have no idea where to shop. 

Im thinking of taking a trip to Macy’s since they carry plus sized maternity. Pink Blush has some cute dresses that I’ll order soon. 

robynlynn2000

Hmm Macy's... Might try them or Kohls. Im hoping to also get another month out of my clothes. As for shirts im thinking of checking goodwill and salvation army. Why pay $20+ when I can get color of the week for $.99. *cue the music* "im gonna pop some tags..."

tmk2021

@merigoround I didn’t think of Macy’s, I’ll have to look there. Never heard of Pink Blush, though.  I’m going to look them up 😊

Maybe old navy would be a good place too, like mentioned above. They typically have some cute stuff and not too expensive! Never looked at through their maternity section though....

I really hope we are able to find cute clothes that are comfortable. Being deemed “plus size” is hard enough as it is. We just want to feel pretty!

hellonurse0802

16/18 here as well. I'm also 5'11, which makes shopping pretty interesting. My clothes are definitely tighter this go around, so I'm investing in a BellaBand so I can stay in my clothes for as long as possible. There isnt much selection for people built such as myself, so I'm prepared to spend a little more money for specialty fit clothes as I get further along. No super tight ankle riding pants for me

sassypants2010

Any one else worried about with ins at the OB? Every pregnancy I was fine except this time. 

robynlynn2000

Yeah my first appointment is wednesday. My first had Medicaid, my second I had already met the out of pocket max (first child had heart surgery) and ins paid 100%. This one Idk. I have different insurance. I saw where legally (in the U.S.) prenatal care has to be covered even before deductible is met. But i know my office wants the delivery paid for before 8th month. So they set up payment plans. I'm nervous because its after the new year so nothing I have paid for this year will apply toward my deductible next year.

adifrog

I'm 5'9 and all leg and never found dress pants that fit with my first.  My solution was to wear leggings under long sweaters or dresses.  (I did have a good pair of maternity jeans but couldn't wear them to work.) I noticed that Motherhood has some plus sizes, and the XL shirts I just ordered were pretty generous.  (I was about a 16 in pants pre-pregnancy this time.)

sassypants2010

@robynlynn2000 I am worried about that too. But my dumb phone auto corrected weigh in to with ins. (Face palm) But on that note my husband's work insurance isn't available for us to enroll until October so I am up a creek if I can't get pregnancy Medicaid until then. 

robynlynn2000

Oh ok lol. Im worried about gestational diabetes because of my weight. Or measuring "fungal height" because my stomach is already large. I have accepted that im overweight and im just going to gain what I will. But after the baby is born im going to seriously diet.

sassypants2010

@robynlynn2000 I'm with you on that. I was trying to get healthy and be more active when I got KU but it is harder to stay motivated when you feel like you never have the energy. 

babybelugaco

@sassypants2010
The doctor told me that with my weight being so high I shouldnt gain anything throughout the pregnancy. But that it's okay if I lose some because I change my eating habits to be better. She went ahead and did a diabetes screening with my first blood test friday and wants me to monitor my blood pressure daily. 
I'm so worried but have a hard time denying my cravings. Trying to get better.

lanie1000

@robynlynn2000 I’m a bigger mama (size 14ish) and I had gestational diabetes with my first. So I’m 100% expecting it with this pregnancy. Honestly, it’s an inconvenience, but totally manageable. I wouldn’t worry about it. Plus, most of the plus size moms in my last group passed their glucose tests with flying colors. And in the off chance you don’t, we can commiserate about fasting blood sugars together.   

sassypants2010

I also had gestational with my first but not my second or third, so it varies. But I agree if I have it this time not a huge deal since I know the routine. 

robynlynn2000

I never had it before but I was diagnosed prediabetes a couple years ago. Got on a diet and lost 40 lbs. Then fell off the wagon and gained 20 back. I cant imagine not being allowed to gain anything. Like isnt that impossible with blood volume, boob gains, placenta, as well as fluid and baby and fluid retention? 

On another note, I went to target today to look for a new bra. I tried on 12 before i found one that feels good. Either there was no support or too tight/cups too big. Im too embarrassed to go somewhere like JC Penney to get fitted. I dont want an underwire anyway. The nursing bras were cute, but had zero support. I settled for a Bali, without a wire. 
Also their "maternity" was a tiny corner off the bra section that had a few items, but very limited selection. And the highest size they had was 18. I will probably just have to alter my own clothes.

tashia5587

I'm an 18/20 pants and 16/18 in tops & dresses. I've just been wearing a lot of a-line or swing style dresses and I'm hoping that will get me through the summer. I've got styles bookmarked from pinkblush, motherhood, and amazon for buying maternity clothes in the fall. 

Anyone else exhausted by constantly having to advocate for yourself against weight bias in the way maternity care is handled? I had a miscarriage earlier this year and switched OBGYN offices during that pregnancy after being told by a nurse to "stop eating so many cakes and cookies because they're bad for baby" (without having been asked anything about my diet/ exercise and despite being in generally great health). Things are going much better this time around with the new practice, but they still basically assumed that there's no possible way I wouldn't have gestational diabetes. 

robynlynn2000

I saw my obgyn today for the first time. I had her for my other two kids(7 and 9) and she is probably older than my grandmother. But shes the only doctor ive ever seen who hasnt judged me for my weight. Today I told her I was concerned about gestational diabetes amd she seemed surprised and asked why. I said "um because of my weight. And being diagnosed with pre diabetes a couple years ago." She said they would check my blood today. But that if it came back normal she would wait and do the glucose test 24-28 weeks. Like it was nice that it wasnt her first assumption of me.

babybelugaco

@robynlynn2000
That's good that she doesnt prejudge you!!!
I feel okay with my doctor so far in regards to being judged. Granted I've only met with her once. She was concerned about the possibility of gestational diabetes because I'm at such a high weight point and she said she wanted to go ahead and test for it with my bloodwork from the first visit. 
I got all those results today and (if I'm reading them all right, medical stuff confuses me sometimes!) the the glucose levels seem okay! Value of 88 with the healthy range being the 70-99. I'm really nervous for all of the other testing down the road though too. 

lanie1000

@tashia5587 I am appalled that a nurse said that to you and happy that you feel more
comfortable at your current practice. 

@robynlynn2000 I hope your blood test comes back normal!

@babyroma yay for healthy levels! 

wheresjam47

tashia5587 said:

I'm an 18/20 pants and 16/18 in tops & dresses. I've just been wearing a lot of a-line or swing style dresses and I'm hoping that will get me through the summer. I've got styles bookmarked from pinkblush, motherhood, and amazon for buying maternity clothes in the fall. 

Anyone else exhausted by constantly having to advocate for yourself against weight bias in the way maternity care is handled? I had a miscarriage earlier this year and switched OBGYN offices during that pregnancy after being told by a nurse to "stop eating so many cakes and cookies because they're bad for baby" (without having been asked anything about my diet/ exercise and despite being in generally great health). Things are going much better this time around with the new practice, but they still basically assumed that there's no possible way I wouldn't have gestational diabetes. 

I left a midwife group my last pregnancy because every appointment was about how I shouldn’t be gaining any weight and how I was eating too many carbs. I was having awful morning sickness and surviving on pretzels alone. The midwife would not leave it alone. And she told me I had to take two diabetes tests and I refused. Then she threw in my face that I was putting my baby in danger. Guess who didn’t end up having diabetes? So I switched at 14 weeks or so. 

sassypants2010

My first pregnancy I had a severe sunburn, I mean blisters the size of tangerines, and so my glucose test I took in the middle of dealing with that came back 2 points above normal range. My doctor treated me for gestational, belittled me about not being active or eating fewer calories, and celebrated when I lost 23lbs during pregnancy even after my son was born at 6 lbs 11oz(not even close  to typical for a diabetes baby) with normal sugars. Oh my favorite part was him making me test my sugars every 30 minutes while in labor. He is the reason I have panic attacks going to the hospital for anything. My current doctor that I switched to with my second is awesome and had never made me feel bad. 

tashia5587

@wheresjam47 @sassypants2010 I was made to take the 3 hour this time around after failing the 1 hour by 1 point at the strictest standard. I told them that my morning sickness is so severe right now that I throw up if I go 3 hours without eating, so there's no way I'd make it through the fasting + 3 hour without puking. I asked to do an a1c and home testing for a week or 2 instead. They said if I didn't take the 3 hour, they'd diagnose me based on failing the 1 hour and I'd have to test all pregnancy, see a nutritionist, etc.

At the 1 hour mark I was so dehydrated they couldn't get a stick (they tried 4 times, I have bruises), and then I threw up so the test was invalid. FINALLY after going through all of that, I got them to do an a1c and let me test my sugars at home for a week to prove I'm not diabetic. Fasting from the 3 hour was perfect, A1c came back perfectly normal, and so far my home testing numbers are all great. I know my body, dammit! 

robynlynn2000

@tashia5587 that sounds terrible. I'm glad things were actually ok though. I hate when doctors can barely remember your name yet always act like they know you better than yourself. 

shellbellbenko

Yep size 14/16 here. Had to up my pants to a 16 cuz my 14s are snug now! I am diabetic already so I’ve been so terrified about how pregnancy is going to go. My doc isn’t worried about my weight right now but said during 2nd trimester I need to work on more vegetables and less carbs. My glucose was 79 so normal when I went in for my first appt. they have me testing 4 times a day and I have a referral for endocrinologist to watch my sugars better. Overall super nervous but I’m ready.

babybelugaco

I feel like I've been considerably better with my food choices this last week. Maybe not entirely the content but the quantity.  The scale shows I'm down 4lbs! Dr. Said it was okay for me to lose weight if I'm eating better....because I think it's crazy to not be able to gain any weight during the pregnancy! That just seems impossible. 

merigoround

I’m sort of freaking out. I’m having twins and the recommended weight gain from my doctor is 35 lbs.  that doesn’t even seem logical to me. 
In the most recommended book for multiples pregnancies, I’m supposed to gain 20lbs by 20weeks!  Up to an additional 1000 calories a day because twins come several weeks early and need as much as they can get as quickly as they can get it. The book puts the gain at 50lbs! 😳
im 5’9 221lbs.  I feel like no matter how much weight I gain, it’s going to be too much for my doctor and too little for the babies.
thankfully I have a low A1C, but I also have pretty severe hypoglycemia. I have frontal lobe epilepsy that gets triggered by low sugar, so I have to be so careful about what I eat and making sure to eat often. The glucose test makes me sick as a dog, so I’m nervous about even going in for it. 🤢

sassypants2010

If you gain a little don't stress yourself. If your eating right and staying active you should be fine. 

candicenmc

Can I just say having this thread is very calming and reminds me to be excited for this pregnancy! I have my first OB appointment in two days and a bit nervous, because it’s a new doctor and not sure what to expect. 

robynlynn2000

@candicenmc yeah this is my favorite thread as well. This Friday will be 13 weeks and im down to like 2 pairs of pants that fit ok. So Saturday I altered a pair of pants. All i did was cut out triangle darts and cut the sides of my pants down a few inches. Then I stiched in the triangles. Luckily its just black pants, and my shirts cover this, but even still if someone noticed I would just be like "so what I'm pregnant." I also took it in a bit in the back so it fits better. And you know, 9 months from now ill just buy new pants lol. Although im sure they wont make it that long before they get too tight. Anyway, just my little achievement this weekend.

m0mmy2b0yz

Depending on your style Woman Within and Romans has a decent selection of plus size clothing. I dont bother spending extra on maternity when plus size is still comfy for me. I am a pear shape and have big "hippies" but a 26 is huge on me with their clothes vs other brands. Its also cheaper to search their brand on Amazon. I got a $20+ Romans blouse for $8.xx on Amazon with free 2-day shipping using Prime. I also search for comfy brands on Ebay and Poshmark. I got a familiar skirt new with tags off Ebay. 

robynlynn2000

Well motherhood maternity at the mall and kohls do not go above size 18. Target is also out of the question. Probably also stick with just buying big sizes versus "maternity" sometimes i dont really like the material they pair up with jeans. And my job requires jeans, or i woukd stick to yoga pants lol.

sassypants2010

Yeah kohl's used to have bigger sizes online but I guess they stopped. 

wheresjam47

tashia5587 said:

@wheresjam47 @sassypants2010 I was made to take the 3 hour this time around after failing the 1 hour by 1 point at the strictest standard. I told them that my morning sickness is so severe right now that I throw up if I go 3 hours without eating, so there's no way I'd make it through the fasting + 3 hour without puking. I asked to do an a1c and home testing for a week or 2 instead. They said if I didn't take the 3 hour, they'd diagnose me based on failing the 1 hour and I'd have to test all pregnancy, see a nutritionist, etc.

At the 1 hour mark I was so dehydrated they couldn't get a stick (they tried 4 times, I have bruises), and then I threw up so the test was invalid. FINALLY after going through all of that, I got them to do an a1c and let me test my sugars at home for a week to prove I'm not diabetic. Fasting from the 3 hour was perfect, A1c came back perfectly normal, and so far my home testing numbers are all great. I know my body, dammit! 

I am so sorry that happened to you. If it were me I would switch doctors. They aren’t all like that. Not saying you should, just that I would.

catwood1703

Is it possible to not gain weight during the pregnancy? Im 14 weeks today and managed to be 1lb lower than my prepregnancy weight. My Dr doesn't really want me to diet, though I told him I was frustrated that I managed to lose 20-25lbs before I got pregnant and now Im being told from multiple people to not actively diet and to gain a certain amount of weight.

I did clean up my diet a lot when I went Keto before pregnancy and I havent gained any of that weight back but I have so much more I need to lose...

jennv0701

Well with my 2nd I gained 13 pounds and my baby was 10 pounds. I would be ecstatic if that happened again. I was still holding on to the baby weight from my first, and uh oh, still am 6 years later with this little one. 😉

babybelugaco

@catwood1703
My doc doesnt want me gaining any for the pregnancy. I've been lucky so far and have maintained my weight (last I checked anyway). But she told me too it was okay to lose some weight as long as it was because I was eating better and not from throwing up/not eating anything. 

lanie1000

Does anyone else feel hesitant about participating in HDBD? My bump is 100% belly fat being pushed out right now...so it just looks like extra squish. On the bright side, I haven't had to deal to random people asking if I'm pregnant yet! 

babybelugaco

@lanie1000
Meeeeeeee!!! I'm worried I wont ever really look pregnant...