Plus-size Mamas

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

Can we get a discussion going with plus-size mamas?

I am stressing about some things like finding maternity clothing. Being judged by others. Not having a cute belly bump.

Anyone else? What are you doing different than other people?

jayellekay · May 2014

Not caring this time. I was so worried about all of the above last time, but I ended up looking pregnant, staying healthy, and having a wonderful L&D. JC Penney and Motherhood both carry plus size maternity lines. Old Navy used to, but they don't anymore...

Here is a pic of me at 31 weeks with my daughter. A definite prego belly if I say so myself!

Ihope · May 2014

I hear ya sista. I worry what I'm in for when the baby weight packs on, I'm already uncomfortable, can't imagine what it will be like in 7 months

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

Beautiful!

jayellekay said:

Not caring this time. I was so worried about all of the above last time, but I ended up looking pregnant, staying healthy, and having a wonderful L&D. JC Penney and Motherhood both carry plus size maternity lines. Old Navy used to, but they don't anymore...

Here is a pic of me at 31 weeks with my daughter. A definite prego belly if I say so myself!

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

Ihope said:

I hear ya sista. I worry what I'm in for when the baby weight packs on, I'm already uncomfortable, can't imagine what it will be like in 7 months

I worry about that, too.

I lost 220 lbs and gained 120 back. I dont want to gain any more

MaineMama · May 2014

FWIW, my last full term pregnancy I gained a total of 5lbs. I weighed 230 when I started. I just focused (but not too much, lol!) on eating pretty much the same as I always had, and not going too crazy with my cravings.

This pregnancy I've lost 12lbs so far, but that's only due to pneumonia, and being dead to the world for most of this month. I actually had signed up for a DietBet 4 days before my positive test, and I still won, yay!

emsrdh03 · May 2014

I was pretty overweight with DS. I was so bummed throughout my pregnancy with him because I didn't look pregnant until the very end. Like 36 weeks. I'm starting the pregnancy 40 pounds lighter so I'm hoping that helps, but I'm up quite a few pounds from where I was a year ago so again disappointed I'm not going to have that coveted cute bump. As far as find maternity clothes I had no issue, like others mentioned many stores have plus size options.

emsrdh03 · May 2014

kayhold said:

Ihope said:

I hear ya sista. I worry what I'm in for when the baby weight packs on, I'm already uncomfortable, can't imagine what it will be like in 7 months

I worry about that, too.

I lost 220 lbs and gained 120 back. I dont want to gain any more

Thats still an amazing accomplishment!! Though I understand your frustration. I lost 105 lbs and have gained 40-45 of it back in the past year. I still can't believe I let myself get back here.

ColeyCannoli · May 2014

I love this post. I've already gotten grief for my weight gain. My mother was happy I got so sick (until I ended up in the ER) cause it caused me to lose a few of the pounds I gained

I've never felt this much pressure to have a perfect body. Cause I'm not just being unhealthy - I'm ruining my child's life foooorever... It's a bit crazy. My sister only gained 8lbs and had an 8lb 3oz baby so now I feel like anything over that will get me judged. It's making me pretty depressed and I can't bring myself to take photos. I hope once this morning sickness is gone and my bump starts to show, I'll feel less guilty and more excited.

frenchy816 · May 2014

I have nothing to add, but I am so glad that this was posted. I have been worried about all of this too and its nice to hear some stories from experience.

mrsdabruzzi · May 2014

I'm so glad I saw this post. I am very short and overweight. When I had DD I gained 80lbs. I was a very small 108lbs when I became pregnant and weighed 188 the day I went in to deliver. I have ever since been verybstressed about weight. I'm about 220 and am feeling this same way. I'm stressed about clothes, being so large and uncomfortable, and well everything.
Its hard to tell I'm showing as I have what I call a "spare tire" type of stomach, but when I pop a little more I'm going to look huge.
I've had 2 healthy deliveries and babies but am always concerned with complications I could have

SoyMissK8 · May 2014

Thank goodness for you ladies! I am short and tubby. I gained 130 lbs when I went on my bipolar meds 3 years ago and I was so hoping to get to a more healthy weight before pregnancy and it just didn't happen. Plus my mom gained weight with each of her 4 pregnancies that she wasn't able to loose until she had a gastric bypass surgery a few years ago, so I am so worried about weight gain... So far I haven't gained any weight (I'm 6w4d) but we'll see what happens. I made myself take a 5 week photo, and as far as maternity clothes, I'm just stocking up on plus sized maxi skirts for now.

QueenOfSpades622 · May 2014

Thank you so much for this post I've been worried about this since day one.

nesenotes · May 2014

Um yes. It didn't help that my OB told me if I lose 20 lbs that I probably wouldn't get the beetus next time. I didn't lose it

I'm actually starting out this pregnancy the same weight as last time. I only gained 14lbs last time and actually lost 30lbs after giving birth. But i have to give all that credit to diabetes third tri and having to eat no carbs. No fun! I gained that 10 back after. I also felt so guilty about possibly making my baby too big, but thankfully she came out big but still a normal 8.4.

So this time as I feel better I will try to choose healthy options. But really I'm just waiting for the beetus again and the forced diet.

As for clothes I fracking hate hate hate The Motherhood. My boobs are big and fit into none of their dresses or tops. Last time I survived on ON and Target. I will probably go that route again.

As for the baby bump. I remember being so sad that I was 5 months pregnant and no one noticed. They just thought I was my regular old chubby self. So I don't look forward to that part again. I hope I actually show earlier this time instead of looking just Fluffy for a long time.

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

ColeyCannoli said:

I love this post. I've already gotten grief for my weight gain. My mother was happy I got so sick (until I ended up in the ER) cause it caused me to lose a few of the pounds I gained I've never felt this much pressure to have a perfect body. Cause I'm not just being unhealthy - I'm ruining my child's life foooorever... It's a bit crazy. My sister only gained 8lbs and had an 8lb 3oz baby so now I feel like anything over that will get me judged. It's making me pretty depressed and I can't bring myself to take photos. I hope once this morning sickness is gone and my bump starts to show, I'll feel less guilty and more excited.

Sorry that your mom is an asshole

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

kiranata said:

Yeah all my tops were old navy all my bottoms (aka the most comfortable yoga pants on the face of the planet were motherhood. They do not cut things to fit over big boobs, big hips or big bumps...

I plan to do yoga pants and large shirts, too. Haha!

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

nesenotes said:

Um yes. It didn't help that my OB told me if I lose 20 lbs that I probably wouldn't get the beetus next time. I didn't lose it I'm actually starting out this pregnancy the same weight as last time. I only gained 14lbs last time and actually lost 30lbs after giving birth. But i have to give all that credit to diabetes third tri and having to eat no carbs. No fun! I gained that 10 back after. I also felt so guilty about possibly making my baby too big, but thankfully she came out big but still a normal 8.4. So this time as I feel better I will try to choose healthy options. But really I'm just waiting for the beetus again and the forced diet. As for clothes I fracking hate hate hate The Motherhood. My boobs are big and fit into none of their dresses or tops. Last time I survived on ON and Target. I will probably go that route again. As for the baby bump. I remember being so sad that I was 5 months pregnant and no one noticed. They just thought I was my regular old chubby self. So I don't look forward to that part again. I hope I actually show earlier this time instead of looking just Fluffy for a long time.

I have low blood sugar issues so I hope I don't!

I wear a 38 J bra so most of Motherhood is out for me, too.

For shirts, I plan to make myself a bunch of these out of $5 Walmart tanks.

https://patchworkcactus.typepad.com/blog/2013/08/diy-upcycled-maternity-top-a-simple-tutorial.html

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

kiranata said:

I gained 30 lbs with my last pregnancy, I'm gonna do more this time around I think physically, since I have a better support system in VA with friends vs what I had in NY. And in the spirit of sharing, here I am the day before I went into labor, wearing my ever klassy "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant" shirt. There is definitely that awkward phase, where you feel like "OMG, this isn't a bump, it's fat and I'm huge, and I'm a whale" but it isn't the case, you're growing a baby. So if others want to judge, that's on them. You don't have to live with their judgement, they do. Unless its your SO, then cut him... but in all seriousness, I got a lot of my maternity from Motherhood and Old Navy (who still has some stuff in size xl and xxl), and towards the end, I said f the jeans and went full on lounge pants 24/7. Black lounge pants go with anything!

When all is said and done, your mother who has been gaining sympathy weight with you from the other side of the country gets all mad because in one day you lose 16-20 lbs and she does not Maybe that was just me and my mom though.... (she ate chocolate kisses like they were going out of STYLE)

So cute! I am going to spend my day finding my old few belly shots.

MaineMama · May 2014

nesenotes said:

As for clothes I fracking hate hate hate The Motherhood. My boobs are big and fit into none of their dresses or tops. Last time I survived on ON and Target. I will probably go that route again.

This! My H took me to Motherhood during my third pregnancy to get some new clothes (and prob a better attitude, haha) and after trying on a few things I told him that the damn store was obviously for women who were already knocked up, therefore probably already had a man, so WHY does every shirt need to show every legal inch of tit possible?!

jlbaxter33 · May 2014

I am so glad this was posted! I was thinking of starting a thread too.

I had my first prenatal appointment yesterday and had a mini breakdown about my weight and gaining too much. From the beginning of January until I got my BFP (2/24) I had lost 11 pounds. I was so proud of myself. But, since then I've gained (depending on the day 5-7 pounds back. Grrrr! I have not been puking but all the things I was eating when I lost weight (mostly veggies) have little to no appeal and the fried chicken and carbs are calling my name...all. The. Time.

I'm nervous about maternity clothes too and not having a cute bump. I'm also nervous about GD. In the next week or so, I'm going to do the short glucose test, so hopefully that goes well. Besides my weight, I am healthy. I try to walk my dog everyday for 30-45 minutes...but I'm so tired all the time! It is hard to do it.

My MW wants me to gain 20 pounds total. I hope I can stick to that. She also said to take care of yourself, try to eat well, try to exercise but don't beat yourself up. Everyone feels like crap during the first tri. I'm hoping in 3 weeks I'll have more energy and want more veggies.

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

jlbaxter33 said:

I am so glad this was posted! I was thinking of starting a thread too. I had my first prenatal appointment yesterday and had a mini breakdown about my weight and gaining too much. From the beginning of January until I got my BFP (2/24) I had lost 11 pounds. I was so proud of myself. But, since then I've gained (depending on the day 5-7 pounds back. Grrrr! I have not been puking but all the things I was eating when I lost weight (mostly veggies) have little to no appeal and the fried chicken and carbs are calling my name...all. The. Time. I'm nervous about maternity clothes too and not having a cute bump. I'm also nervous about GD. In the next week or so, I'm going to do the short glucose test, so hopefully that goes well. Besides my weight, I am healthy. I try to walk my dog everyday for 30-45 minutes...but I'm so tired all the time! It is hard to do it. My MW wants me to gain 20 pounds total. I hope I can stick to that. She also said to take care of yourself, try to eat well, try to exercise but don't beat yourself up. Everyone feels like crap during the first tri. I'm hoping in 3 weeks I'll have more energy and want more veggies.

I run an inhome daycare so I stay moving, but getting out of the house to walk is often hard. By time the kids leave, its dinner or taekwondo time for my son. I have just bought a double stroller so I may use it to walk with the kids during the day more often.

jlbaxter33 · May 2014

I run an inhome daycare so I stay moving, but getting out of the house to walk is often hard. By time the kids leave, its dinner or taekwondo time for my son. I have just bought a double stroller so I may use it to walk with the kids during the day more often.

(Mobile bumping, sorry if the quote looks weird)

No doubt! The other day, I got home, sat on the bed to pet my puppy, said "let's get ready for a walk!" Leaned back and promptly fell asleep, in my work clothes for an hour and half. This fatigued is no joke!

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

I did this last yesterday! I only had one kid yesterday and he was napping so I was going to wash dishes and ended up taking my own nap with him. (His Mom is a high school friend so we don't have a traditional daycare relationship - her son often spends the night here.)

(Mobile bumping, sorry if the quote looks weird) No doubt! The other day, I got home, sat on the bed to pet my puppy, said "let's get ready for a walk!" Leaned back and promptly fell asleep, in my work clothes for an hour and half. This fatigued is no joke!

jlbaxter33 · May 2014

I would love to do this checks in more often...I'm not sure about weekly, but maybe every other week or something?? Others interested?

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

I could try assuming I remember! What about Wednesday? Thats my AMA check in so it could be easy to remember! if I forget maybe someone else will remember!

jlbaxter33 · May 2014

I'll also try to remember!!

Kmm1023 · May 2014

Hey ladies! Love this post! I was overweight last pregnancy and this one too! I found that if I wore the right tops I looked pregnant and not fatter!

I wore a lot of empire waist stuff.

I found some great stuff at Burlington Coat Factory! Also motherhood has plus sizes online. I also just bought some cute stuff from ON not maternity just Xxl shirts they are longer!

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

Kmm1023 said:

Hey ladies! Love this post! I was overweight last pregnancy and this one too! I found that if I wore the right tops I looked pregnant and not fatter! I wore a lot of empire waist stuff. I found some great stuff at Burlington Coat Factory! Also motherhood has plus sizes online. I also just bought some cute stuff from ON not maternity just Xxl shirts they are longer!

I found a tutorial to turn big shirts into empire type shirts so I am probably going to be all over that!

gleeorca · May 2014

I love this thread! I actually lost almost 30 pounds since January by eating healthy and exercising, so I'm really trying to keep it up during pregnancy. SO far I've lost 10lbs since my BFP and I'm hoping that will help keep me at the 15 lb weight gain my MFM wants. My silly stresses are having the B belly.

mrsdabruzzi · May 2014

We have a wedding at the end of June and I'm already dreading it. I know we will tell a family photo as everyone of my in laws will be there and everyone is tiny. I literally have 2 SILs that wear size 2 andand one that wears an 8. I wear a 20. Not looking forward to shoving myself and whatever bump I have in a dress. Any suggestions on what to wear or where to look for something wedding appropriate. Keep in mind, I am short and usually don't show my legs. I am covered in stretch marks. I'm a sweatpants mama so I really have nothing to work with.

jlbaxter33 · May 2014

mrsdabruzzi said:
We have a wedding at the end of June and I'm already dreading it. I know we will tell a family photo as everyone of my in laws will be there and everyone is tiny. I literally have 2 SILs that wear size 2 andand one that wears an 8. I wear a 20. Not looking forward to shoving myself and whatever bump I have in a dress. Any suggestions on what to wear or where to look for something wedding appropriate. Keep in mind, I am short and usually don't show my legs. I am covered in stretch marks. I'm a sweatpants mama so I really have nothing to work with.

Maybe you could still try Lane Bryant and not look at prices, just start trying everything on!

Can you wear Spanx if you are KU? Even if it is just for a day?? (This might be a big no-no- I don't know...)

PDXLaurenS · May 2014

I'm not quite plus size but I started out 40 lbs overweight and have a lot of the same concerns, can I join this check-in too?

briewong · May 2014

Me and the SO get out and walk out puppies 3-4 times a week at minimum of 4 miles each time, through a very hilly part of town, as well as go to the gym at least 2 days a week. I am still SO worried about the weight gain. I lost 115lbs prior to conceiving and am frightened to gain weight. I am still eating healthy (eating out occasionally, but not any more than before), and will keep exercising as long as I am feeling up to it. I am currently 7 weeks and just so tired. Hoping the tiredness will ware off, and I will be able to workout and feel normal again.

Thanks for posting this!

Countryangel116 · May 2014

Glad to see this post! Before BFP I was a large size 16. Now at 8w5d I barely fit an 18. I'd lost a lot of weight and was eating right before BFP. Now all I want are carbs! I just know I'll be massive and have GD. Ugh. Drama vent over. All my friends had the perfect basketball belly bump. I fear mine will look more like a muffin top with saddle bags :-/ happy to know I am not alone in this

kristinakiska · May 2014

Love this post! I'm 5w4d and am a size 18 and I've been looking for some good plus size success stories/advice. Everything I've seen on the internet about plus sized pregnancies and deliveries made it seem one sided and dangerous so it freaked me out big time. Happy to see some conversation about it!

anxious and looking forward to my first dr appt on 6/2!

brennabe97 · May 2014

I love this thread. I was just lamenting that the Bump doesn't have a plus-size mama board. I'm glad we're talking about it here.

@jlbaxter33 - They actually make pregnancy spanx called Power Mama. They have lighter control over the tummy area so they shape other areas but don't squish a baby bump.

My biggest concern is about ultrasounds. With more adipose tissue, it is harder to get a good visual over the abdomen. Any second (or more) time moms with advice about how an NT or anatomy scan goes for a plus size momma?

JunkieBrewster · May 2014

PDXLaurenS said:
I'm not quite plus size but I started out 40 lbs overweight and have a lot of the same concerns, can I join this check-in too?

Of course.

MissMeegs · May 2014

I also love this post, and hearing form other plus-size mamas! For those of you worried about pregnancy, try not to be too concerned. I am very, very plus size (size 24) and my first pregnancy was textbook. No GD, no pre-E, normal size baby (7lb14oz), and I didn't gain a pound until the final month, when I put on 10 lb very quickly (came off as soon as I delivered--sailed through L&D and had a normal vaginal delivery).

I had expressed concerns about GD to my OB, and she was very matter of fact. She said "your weight puts you at slightly higher risk for it, but I've had just as many skinny moms get it as not--if you get it, we'll deal with it, don't worry too much."

I also can definitely share my thoughts on the maternity clothes--it's ALL about the right clothes and styling. I had a pronounced B-belly to the bitter end with DS, but I used empire maternity clothes and a stretchy belt to emphasize the belly in the right way so that you couldn't tell. People definitely knew I was pregnant. Here is a pic of me at 36 weeks:

photo 1458500_10152104092793688_1713819046_n_zps8247af53.jpg

jayellekay · May 2014

brennabe97 said:

My biggest concern is about ultrasounds. With more adipose tissue, it is harder to get a good visual over the abdomen. Any second (or more) time moms with advice about how an NT or anatomy scan goes for a plus size momma?

I've never had any issue getting an ultrasound, and most of my fat is in my belly area. We've gotten great pics, even 3D/4D ones at a specialty boutique!

MissMeegs · May 2014

brennabe97 said:

My biggest concern is about ultrasounds. With more adipose tissue, it is harder to get a good visual over the abdomen. Any second (or more) time moms with advice about how an NT or anatomy scan goes for a plus size momma?

This is true, unfortunately (but not for everyone!). My NT scan was pretty fuzzy, and the tech did say (only when I specifically asked about it) that extra belly fat can make the view a little fuzzy. But they were still able to get all the measurements they needed, so don't worry! It only affected having perfect little profile shots to share on Facebook.

And I would say post-20 weeks or so, around the time of my anatomy scan, every u/s I had looked totally normal to me!

MissMeegs · May 2014

@MissChristineMarie Thank you! There were many things I didn't like about being pregnant, mostly the terrible insomnia in the last trimester, but I have to say that the way my body looked was the thing I loved best! It was so cool to wear form-fitting things that emphasized the belly, and not worrying about "sucking it in" all the time.

One other B-belly tip: go to Lane Bryant and buy a bunch of the biggest size full-brief cotton granny panties that will stay up. For me in the third tri, this was buying size 28. And I had NO SHAME about it either, because those bad boys were freaking amazing, my usual panty size at LB is 18/20, so these ones came all the up practically to my boobs, and really helped to round out the B-belly.

No boy shorts, no bikini--FULL briefs. I'm telling ya, they really help camoflage the rolls if that's what you'd like to do!

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