Considering getting Pregnant...

Hi,

My hubby and I have been considering getting pregnant. I'm at my highest weight - 245 lbs. - which is an extra 85lbs for me. I want to lose weight (*sigh) but it can take forever and we'll like to do it soon. I'll try anyways but I'm wondering how serious an extra 80lbs is for a baby. Has anyone here been 80+lbs overweight and had complications with pregnancy?

Thanks!

It is really hard to predict.  Being overweight can increase your risk for a lot of complications, but that doesn't mean you will get them.  I can really understand you wanting to have a baby now.  I suggest you do some research, talk to your doctor, and make that decision for yourself.

By the way, I was about 60 pounds overweight with my first, and I gained about 50 pounds during that pregnancy.  I developed high blood pressure, was put on bed rest, and when I started swelling, the doctor decided to induce - but it was the due date, so no big deal.  The biggest problems I had was simply because I just wasn't fit and got tired really easy.

My second I started a little lower weight, only about 40 pounds overweight, and I only gained about 35 pounds.  I had lightheadedness during this pregnancy, which is normal for pregnant women, and even fainted once.  Did not have high blood pressure with the second - but the doctor said that the second baby from the same man is often easier in that regard.

Anyway - I hoped I helped a little.

There is an increased risk of complications if you're overweight or obese during pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association:

Most overweight women have healthy pregnancies and deliver without complications.

However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks that extra weight can have. Pregnant women who are struggling with obesity may have:

• An increased risk for gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
• Difficulty with hearing the heartbeat and measuring the size of the uterus
• Difficulty with vaginal delivery if the fetus is much larger than average

They have a great section called "Eating for Two When Over/Under Weight" that has helpful information.

I do know that if you're under close supervision of an OBGYN and nutritionist, it's possible to lose or maintain your weight while pregnant. I think this is only warranted in extreme cases but you could always discuss it with your doctor.

I suggest making an appointment with your physician to have a physical and discuss pregnancy with them. They can get you started on prenatal vitamins and provide all kinds of useful information.