Plus size Pregnancy

Rews42

Hi everyone! I'm currently 11 weeks and I'm overweight. (5'4'', 220 lbs.) My doctor hasn't expressed a concern about my weight, except for keeping a watch on my blood pressure throughout my pregnancy. I'm very healthy otherwise and I haven't gained an ounce since I found out I was pregnant. This will probably sound silly and ridiculous, but I'm worried that I won't ever "look" pregnant and instead will just look fatter.   I know that I'll never have the cute classic belly. I just really want to look pregnant. Does anyone know how plus size women typically gain weight? Or when they begin to show, if at all?

Sorry that this sounds silly. 

MrsEnnis

No, it doesn't sound silly cause I think of the same thing as well.
I got The Belly Book and it has places to put your weekly photos and I said to my husband yesterday that it will take forever for me to look pregnant and not just fat. 

Most things I've read say that if you are already overweight, you should only gain 15-20 pounds at the most. 

Some of us will gain all over, some bellies will start to get bigger...it's not something you can predict but I feel your concern cause I feel the same way!

MUAprilTiger

I have the same concern.  If you go to babycenter.com they have a board that is for plus size mommies, and many women post pictures of their pregnant bellies.  It's certainly true that for most of us plus-sizers we're going to just look 'chubbier', but whenever I'm really wanting people to notice that I'm pregnant I'll just make sure to wear obvious maternity clothes.  I'm trying to go with the mindset that I've been worried about my weight and size my entire life...and for just this once, I'm not going to regret my heavy body (and lack of cute bump) because of the really amazing thing that it's doing right now.  

BJKL

I know that it is totally different for everyone but I have a SIL that is fairly similar in size to you.  She was due at the end of Feb and I would say that she was noticably pregnant to me by late Nov. 

One good note: she wore her pp jeans home from the hospital and so did a another good friend of mine that was overweight at the start.  Both of them left the hospital weighing less then before they got pregnant.

SweetJenna

When I was pregnant for my son, I started to "look" pregnant around 22 weeks.  That's when people got up enough nerve to ask me if I was...lol

Don't worry, it will happen!  Good luck!

jaysgirl31780

I can understand this...I'm a bit heavier around the waist anyway and am convinced I won't have a bump, just jiggle covering my bump. I think the important thing to do is stay healthy and keep your eyes on the prize.

mommaj530

I'm plus size and this time I'm 10 lbs less than what I was when I got preg with DD. I'd say that around 25 wks I looked obviously pregnant. With DD, I only gained about 15lbs. I was back to pp weight when I left the hospital. Don't worry... once you start to feel that baby flopping around in your stomach, you'll FEEL pregnant and that'll kinda translate into looking pregnant. Plus, you're clothes will fit like your pregnant, which will help you feel like you look pregnant.

sarrahs

Hi! I am on my 2nd pregancy, and I had the same concerns as you my first time around. I am 5'5", and 280 lbs (size 24), and ended up losing 30 lbs from my pp weight after I had my son. I had to buy new (smaller) clothes a week after my son was born because I had lost so much weight. I wouldn't say that I had many complications due to my weight during my first pregnancy - other than high blood pressure. I did have to go on blood pressure meds during my 3rd trimester and was induced 2 weeks early due to my blood pressure being too high.

Good luck!

Andy28

I'm plus size too. This is my first pregnancy and so far I've lost 10 lbs. I'm just not that hungry. I'm eating until I'm full.

  I too hope I don't just look fat, but I actually have a pregnant belly.

staycee

I started out at just about your size last time (5'5" & 210)

here are some pics of how I grew:

16w:

20w:

27w:

33w (and so swollen shoes no longer fit):

3 days before I was induced @39w:

 

 

staycee

BJKL:

 

 Both of them left the hospital weighing less then before they got pregnant.

this was not the case for me.  I was hugely swollen after all the IV's I'd been on - HUGE.   My maternity pants were snug.

However, at 1 week postpartum, I was 13 pounds lighter than before I got pregnant (down to 197!)

Prinycesa07

Dont worry.  I started off overweight too and i definitley had a cute  bump by about 25 weeks.  It was very obviously a baby bump.  And like pp said, i left the hospital weighing 10 lbs less than i did at my first dr. appt!  I was able to fit into jeans that i couldnt before i got pregnant!  Too bad it was winter time and i gained a lot of it back afterwards lol

hudsaunt1

I am plus size & I look very pregnant right now.  It will happen...trust me.  It did for my first one & for this one

Newts Mommy

Staycee, thank you for posting those pics!!! You and I are very similar in size @ the start of our pregnancy's and these pics made me feel better so I'm sure that these will make Rews42 feel better too!

 Rews42, I'm in the same boat, I'm 5'5" and 204 I've been worried too that I won't "show" thanks for posting and congrats!!!

Jenniferk08

I'm a plus size 2nd tri mommy to be and it depends on what I am wearing. sometimes I look fat, sometimes I look pregnant.  I have been careful with what I eat so I have only gained 3 lbs.  I eat small meals through out the day, I added yogurt to my routine, some pre-sliced apples with single serve carmel dip, single serving nuts, PB&J sandwiches for lunch with whole wheat bread.  I also keep ice pops and italian ices in my freezer for when I feel a little hungry or get tired of drinking water.  As a treat I bought some chocolate bliss rasberry and threw those in the freezer as well.  I limit myself to now more than 2-3 when I have them, and no more than once day. 

genaruthp

sarrahs:

Hi! I am on my 2nd pregancy, and I had the same concerns as you my first time around. I am 5'5", and 280 lbs (size 24), and ended up losing 30 lbs from my pp weight after I had my son. I had to buy new (smaller) clothes a week after my son was born because I had lost so much weight. I wouldn't say that I had many complications due to my weight during my first pregnancy - other than high blood pressure. I did have to go on blood pressure meds during my 3rd trimester and was induced 2 weeks early due to my blood pressure being too high.

Good luck!

Thank you for sharing, I am 5'9"  (about 305 last weight in )and a size 24, and I am really happy that you are sharing your story. I feel out of place with some of the friends that have had babies. And love these stories when shared. Thank you everyone!

fluffybuns

I was a little over 200 when I got pregnant with DD, and started to look very pregnant around 15-18 weeks. I popped really early with her!

I didn't lose all the weight from DD and am wondering what I will be like this time! I'm not as concerned about looking like a typical pregnant woman this time. The huge belly isn't as great as I thought it would be. I was extremely uncomfortable early on with her! 

essey1234

well i am overweight as well and had the same thoughts with my first son.

you will look pregnant but it takes much longer, but trust me there will be no mistaking it later on.

maternity cloths for overweight suck, so i bought regular clothes that were just bigger sizes and that worked best for me

 

Rews42

staycee:

I started out at just about your size last time (5'5" & 210)

here are some pics of how I grew:

16w:

20w:

27w:

33w (and so swollen shoes no longer fit):

3 days before I was induced @39w:

 

 

 

You're adorable! Thank you for sharing that.