How dangerous is it to get pregnant when your over weight?

Question

My husband and I would like to start a family in the next couple of years. I am about 21 stone and my husband enjoys larger women...but i am wondering how dangerous it would be if we tried for a baby...thats even if i could get pregnant when im over weight.... any advice would be appreciated


No Nasty comments please just honest advice

Answer 1

You need to see a Dr - they are likely to tell you to lose weight.

Answer 2

Hi,
I was a size 20 when I fell pregnant, I'm currently 27 weeks. There is no danger in being overweight and pregnant but there are some extra issues that can arise.

I have allot of discomfort in my hips, when pregnant your ligaments relax and if you're heavier it can cause extra discomfort and in the extreme cases can lead to having to use crutches to get about. Having said that my doc said that it isn't necessarily just overweight people that have this trouble.
I spoke to my GP and she advised me to start my maternity leave earlier, just in case my hip becomes weaker (already had one fall in the snow...doh!!).

Another problem that can arise is gestational diabetes but again this is not just limited to just overweight people, it occurs in 5% of ALL pregnancies. Another problem could be blood pressure problems but again this is not limited to just over weight people.
If you are concerned speak to a GP who will advise you to lose weight (but only as it's generally seen as better for you).
I was told at my first midwife appointment that due to my weight I would have to see an anaesthesiologist, she didn't go into details but from what I know being overweight and anaesthetics don't mix so well.

Above all the one thing I have found the hardest is the fact that I am currently 27 weeks pregnant and wish I had more of a defined bump, when I look in the mirror I just think I lok larger and I can only see a little bump but I think it's because I know I'm pregnant and I wonder if to someone who doesn't know me and know that I'm pregnant if I look pregnant. I see other women with better bumps and I have to say I am extrememley jelous ;o) I'll get over it and I'm sure soon enough I'll have a better bump.

Don't worry just start trying.

Good luck

Answer 3

Hi, I am a little less that you and I have had a baby. Lots of overweight people do!
To be honest I would say is if you are big you will be uncomfortable and tired and hot (I can only guess that it would be more than someone who was normal weight to start with)! We want to start trying for another soon but I want to lose some weight 1st because I am knackered as it is and from my experiences of my last pregnancy!! lol
It is also harder to conceive when you are bigger, again I am talking from personal experience.
I think that if you have a high BMI the there can be problems with the babies shoulders in delivery - I have forgotten what its called, sorry. It's also harder to see on the scans - the sonographer wrote unable to see properly due to high BMI on my 20 week scan and I was gutted.
I am going to start slimming world next week when I go back to work after my maternity leave has ended - I think it is the one diet that they also don't mind you doing while you are pregnant.
Good luck what ever you decide to do, don't let your weight hold you back. x

Answer 4

being overweight doesnt really make it more dangerous. Might make you uncomfortable, but being any size and pregnant will do that. I wasnt overweight when I got pregnant, but by the time I had to deliver, I had gained 60 pounds and it put me near 200 lbs. the only thing that I have learned about being heavy and pregnant is that it could increase your chances of high blood pressure, gestational diabities, pre eclampsia. Which, even a regular weight person who is pregnant may get this. Also, with being heavy, it is just more they would have to cut through for a c-section if needed. Think about it hon, the majority in the world are not all light weights! The doctors will adjust accordingly. So I would say go for it and good luck! Plenty of fat moms out there!

Answer 5

some woman do find it hard to conceive because there either over or under weight. Even if your weight doesnt effect your fertility then I would suggest that you still lose weight both for the sake of you and your possible unborn baby. I am by no means saying that you need to go on an extreme diet but look up your weight and find out your body mass index (bmi) and then work out what range your weight should be in. Your gp could do this for you if you wish. Start to eat healthily, have 3 meals a day and ensure that you eat alot of fruit and vegetables and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. If you have a sweet tooth allow yourself one small treat a week. Aim to lose about 2lbs a week and include exercise into your routine. Being over weight can cause lots of health problems that can cut your life short and I am sure that you will want to be around for your child growing up if you have a family, you will want to be able to run around after him or her and take them to play football and to the park but if you remain over weight then you will likey not be able to do this. Its important as a parent to set your child or children a good example and to teach them to look after thermselves and eat sensibly, so being over weight isnt a good example. good luck

Answer 6

Personally I think obesity is over-rated and frowned upon just a little too much. You'd think overweight people were evil incarnate the way some idiots carry on! Seriously though, if you're fit and healthy and not hugely overweight I can't understand why it should be a problem.
For an unrelated example, do you know the actor Leonard Rossiter? He was a slim health freak who died of a heart attack, actor Richard Beckinsale died of a heart attack in his 30's and he was a fit man. Don't believe all you hear about overweight people being the only people to have health problems, it isn't true.

Answer 7

I think it is more diffucult to conceive if you are over weight and you are more likely to suffer unpleasant pregnancy complications but I don't think it's dangerous as such.
If you feel you want to lose some weight then go for it, I'm sure it will make things easier for you. Being pregnant takes a lot out of you so the healthier you feel in yourself the better.
It's your health that matters most - not your weight!
Anyway, whatever you decide to do, lots of luck, hope everything goes well.

Answer 8

I don't think your body would allow a pregnancy if it could not cope. However, you would more likely conceive if you lost weight and more importantly a lot of the nasty complications like high blood pressure would be less likely to happen. If you really want a baby then give yourself 6 months and really work hard at reducing your weight. You are more likely to increase weight too when you are pregnant.

The other thing is that being a mum is very hard work and time consuming. Do you want to be able to play with your child and go for bike rides and so on? I'm sure you do so please think of yourself and your child (to be). Your husband must think of your life and your child's life rather than his sex life and what he finds attractive.

Answer 9

Although it is not dangerous to have children while overweight(there are lots of overweight people in America and they still have children) it is a good idea to lose a little before becoming pregnant. Being overweight does put you at higher risk for pregnancy complications. The doctor will most likely tell you to lose a little weight.

Answer 10

I dont really know much about this, however I do know that your heart works 40-50% harder when you get so far into your pregnancy, maybe this could be potentialy dangerous (not a deffinate). I know someone that is overweight.. she had a baby, they are both really healthy, however the baby was a hefty 11 lbs.

I hope everything goes well for you x

Answer 11

The only concern would probably be additional weight gain from pregnancy. When a person that is overweight becomes pregnant they should gain only the "required" amount of weight...no more than the typical gain from baby, fluids, tissue etc. Just be very mindful of it.

Talk to your doc and good luck! If you are otherwise healthy I say go for it!