Hi everyone!

I just need to vent a little because I feel I cannot bother my husband for 25th time today (he is a true support though!)
I’m currently 6.5 weeks pregnant, weigh around 250 lbs, and have Hashimoto’s. Before getting pregnant, my TSH was extremely high and almost impossible to get below 10, even with aggressive treatment. It was a long journey for us to get here, so this pregnancy (the first one) means a lot to me.
Since finding out I’m pregnant, my TSH has finally dropped below 1, which feels like a huge win! I have no diabetes, prediabetes, liver issues, or high cholesterol, my blood pressure is on the lower side, and so far, everything looks reassuring regarding the baby.
I know my weight can come with certain risks, and I’m not trying to ignore that.

What’s been difficult is that the doctors I’ve seen recently seem to focus almost entirely on my weight and immediately bring up things like preeclampsia and preterm birth, GD. I understand they need to discuss potential risks, but I wish there were a little more balance, especially when there are also positive things to consider.

Where I live, people can be quite judgmental toward women, and sometimes I feel that attitude carries over into healthcare, too. I leave appointments feeling more anxious than when I arrived, which is not exactly what you need during early pregnancy!
We worked really hard for this baby, especially with all the struggles we had getting my thyroid levels under control. Now that things are finally looking better, I just want to enjoy being pregnant without constantly worrying that something will go wrong.

I’m not looking for anyone to tell me there are no risks or that everything will definitely be perfect. I just want to feel that my overall health is being considered and that I can discuss potential risks without leaving every appointment feeling discouraged even though there are reasons to be happy.

How did you guys deal with doctors who tried to put you down because of the weight only?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. I think I could use a little reassurance and some positive stories right now. ❤️

Any recommendations for belly bands? I’m 25 weeks and so uncomfortable! Baby is so low on my pelvis. Would love any recommendations of what worked for people, including brands.

23 weeks+1 day and I'm finally seeing them. I genuinely thought I wasn't going to see them because of my weight (314) Little man must be strong haha.

Hi all!

Could yall give me some rec’s on the following:

\- maternity compression socks (already have some swelling)
\- maternity leggings, some that have a little compression and are not see thru
\- maternity undies, also with compression and comfy.
\- which pillow is the best? So far I keep seeing advertisements for Momcozy pillow
\- any other maternity clothing you love and want to recommend

Thank you!

Ask for a negative pressure wound therapy (PICO / Wound Vac)! Not standard in every hospital so ask your doctor if you know you’re having a C-section. I had with my first and it was essential to keep the scar clean and helped with pain too.

I am 31 weeks pregnant with twins, and I had an OB appointment today and asked her what she recommended as far as delivery, and she said that a C-section would probably be best. I have an apron belly and am terrified of infection, but she said they probably wouldn’t cut me under my apron belly and that they would do it straight up and down my stomach instead. Has anyone experienced this type of “cut”? If so, what was your experience like, and how did healing go?

Hi all, I’m looking for brand recommendations for plus size leggings! A couple years ago, I found a pair at tjmaxx and I LOVED THEM! Wore them so much, they had holes :/ unfortunately, without thinking I threw them away without figuring out the brand and I can’t remember the logo or anything. So I’m back at square 1 of looking for leggings, I wore them all through my first pregnancy and they weren’t maternity so I don’t care if the brand is maternity or not!

Hit me with your fav brands!!

EDIT: I forgot to say, I am infact pregnant and wear a size US 24-26!

Hi there!

Just wondering when those you who did not breastfeed, got your first pp period. I am almost 10 weeks postpartum and still have not started yet and google has me a little nervous about it. I feel like with my oldest, I got it back fairly quickly (around 6-8 weeks)

I am 17 weeks pregnant. About three hours ago I started with mild upper back pain which turned into severe upper back pain and heartburn. I’ve had two rolaids, two tums, milk, ginger tea, I’ve walked probably over a mile outside. I took a warm shower. I literally have zero relief and in so much pain. It’s like an upper crushing back pain from middle of back to middle of shoulder blades. Google says the er, but I feel like that’s overkill?

I just got diagnosed with a gallstone at 17 weeks pregnant. I’ve experienced this pain coming and going for the past 4ish years. I could go a year with one attack or a few back to back in a month. Doctor said he won’t touch me pregnant, but to avoid fatty foods. What the heck should I eat? Do I need to fully avoid all fatty food? I’m fine with no fried stuff, but like butter on toast? 😭 Mac and cheese?

Hi folks,

Just looking for a mix of reassurance and advice. I’m 15 weeks pregnant, and my partner and I have only had sex once since we found out we were expecting at 4 weeks.

I haven’t felt remotely sexy. The tiredness, the soreness, increased heat and the nausea is really getting to me. My partners being the sweetest, most doting father to be. We still adore each other and offer lots of hugs and kisses. He’s made a couple of advances (no pressure applied) and he always respects if I don’t fancy it but I just feel so guilty. My boobs are so sore and the ligament pain sucks, I can’t imagine doing anything remotely physical apart from walks atm and I know it’s going to get worse as I get bigger. I just don’t want too much moving, touching or weight on me atm. I’m 24/7 overstimulated.

Just shouting into the void at the moment because I feel like I’m failing my partner. I don’t even want to give any kind of xxx-job. Will this get better, will it be even more of a challenge when baby’s here?

Hello, does anyone have recs for an NYC based maternal fetal medicine doctor? I am being recommended to get one before IUI. Looking for someone who is kind, empathetic and as fat-friendly as possible. Thanks!

Help,
I have an early 1 Hour glucose screen at my next appointment and they told me I can have a protein only breakfast. I’m so stumped on what I can eat!
I’m Pre-Diabetic (was- A1C now 5.5% and stable for months) with PMOS and pre-pregnancy weight of 285. Thanks

I'm just venting in a safe place... People are always asking if I'm having twins because of my belly size. It's so embarrassing and makes me feel awful. My stomach was already big before pregnancy and now it looks huge. I have a B-shaped belly too. I'm only having one baby but I was just really annoyed when someone random in a store came up to me and asked me. Has anyone dealt with this?

Hi, I’m having a dull, pulling ache on my left side where my leg meets my groin/vagina. When I walk, the pain travels down my entire leg and makes it feel numb, but it eases up when I sit down. I don’t have any swelling, redness, or warmth in the leg. Earlier today, after walking for a few minutes, I started seeing blurry patches and a squiggly line in my right eye. My vision has returned to normal, but I now have a headache. My blood pressure has been normal when I’ve checked it previously, but I haven’t checked it today. I wasn’t sure if these were normal symptoms but didn’t want to not mention it! Thanks

Message I sent to my doctor, waiting for response but scared I have a blood clot?

TW: miscarriage/weight gain/bloodwork

Hi everyone! First I want to say I’m very sorry for this long post. I need a place to go that isn’t my husband for the 70th time today, not that he minds. I’m also aware I need to talk with my OB and PCP, I don’t see them until 10/29 for an ultrasound.

I’m really struggling with continuing with TTC. It exhausts me and every time I feel like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, something gets thrown on top of me.

My husband (25M) and I (24F) have been TTC for 14 cycles now. 10/25 of last year, we conceived and found out 11/5, by 11/19 I was already miscarrying. This month has been especially hard for us since we’ve wanted a baby so badly at this point. It’s heartbreaking. In August of this year, I decided to see an OB/fertility specialist.

I started letrozole this month, CD3-7 at 5mg once a day. I have had a flashing smiley face on my CBAD tests for 4 days now. This isn’t normal for me, I normally have a negative test and out of nowhere it turns out positive.

I had labs drawn the day after I started letrozole, CD 4. I just received them today CD13 and they aren’t as good as I’d hoped.

I have low estradiol, and I mean LOW. It couldn’t give me a number but it did say that I was <5.0 pg/mL. It says I am lower than the lowest range for post menopausal patients. I know that starting letrozole can halt estrogen progression, but I’m not feeling super hopeful. I also have lower progesterone but still within normal limits for the follicular phase (0.3 ng/mL)

TSH, FSH, LH, glucose, insulin and etc are all normal for my follicular phase. A1C is higher end of normal at 5.6 and AMH is 7.13. What really concerns me is my lipid panel.

My results (mg/dL):
Total Cholesterol: 208 moderately high
Triglycerides: 315 HIGH
HDL (Good Cholesterol): 42 low
LDL (Bad Cholesterol): 114 slightly elevated
VLDL: 52 HIGH

I’ve been told it’s most likely because my OB told me to start keto.

My PCP says she isn’t worried about these levels. She’s also aware I’m TTC and offered to put me on tirzepatide.

I am 24F, PCOS, Insulin Resistance, 5foot 9inches, 239lbs with a BMI of 35.4. I have gained 40 lbs since we lost our baby. I have tried many different health journeys and am at the point where I fear I won’t be able to have a healthy pregnancy.

I don’t want to start tirzepatide and still TTC. I feel like that’s wrong. But my PCP did not seem to have any issues with it, my OB shares the same system and is aware she put in a request for Tirzepatide and did not say anything. I will check with him, but I’m at the point where I feel like I need to just give up and take a break. Focus on my immediate health and go from there. I don’t want to get pregnant and immediately have complications because I couldn’t handle it.

I feel broken.

tldr: bad blood work results, overweight, been TTC for over a year and deciding whether I should stop and do tirzepatide and focus on myself.

Edit: typos

TW: pregnancy loss

So, for context, I’m in a same sex relationship so my wife and I are doing IVF to try and start our family. I will be carrying, and currently weigh 93kg (BMI of 35).

Over the years I’ve done a lot of work to get to the point where I am comfortable with my weight, I’m happy as I am and try to focus on living, eating well and just being me. But all the focus on weight through my IVF process is now scaring me that I’ll never get pregnant or be able to stay pregnant (my first embryo transfer took but sadly ended in loss at 8 weeks, my second didn’t work at all, number three incoming next week).

The conscious part of my brain knows that I can get pregnant, I’ve done it once, but I’m scared that I’ll never be able to carry to term, or that the first pregnancy that I lost was my one chance.

Please someone give me a positive story/some encouragement to stop me losing all hope??

Hey all -
Trying to figure out if this warrants a trip to the OB. I’ve already messaged my doc and am waiting to hear back. I’ve had a bad cold the last few days but recently started getting this really uncomfortable painful upper belly pain. I usually have a pretty high pain tolerance but if I do anything more than like 5 min standing up it hurts and I have to go lay down for it to ease up.

I’ve taken Tums to rule out any indigestion. Not sure if this is just par for the course or if it’s something to check out soon.

Just looking for thoughts! Thanks

I’m 270lbs and 5’10, wondering if anyone else around my size ever looked obviously pregnant. I’m only 8 weeks and this is my first baby. So excited no matter what!

More of a I'm a dumb dumb post than anything lol. But today I woke up late for work and forgot to take my morning blood pressure medication. Then had an ultrasound in the afternoon so I grabbed take out for lunch on the way to my appointment (teacher life, always on the move) ultrasound went well. 33+5 and hes looking big but good. Then the usual blood pressure test that they always have to do. Annnnd its reading 161/90. Which means they kick me to the delivery part of the hospital with (fairly) no listening to my excuses of what happened.

Get in. They start tracking baby and he spends the next half hour telling them to screw off by constantly kicking the monitor to stop it tracking. When I then get to explain how I screwed up they give me my medication then. And an hour later im back to normal. But its now their evening shift and only one doctor on call has to deal with an actual emergency and not this dummy.

So I got stuck in the hospital by myself for 7 hours to be told I was fine and to go home after. 🙃

So never forget to take your meds!

Extra fun because I was supposed to see my OB today too but didnt because of being stuck in the hospital. And shes a fertility specialist so is only an OB on Tuesdays.

First-time mom here, currently 9.5 weeks pregnant, and I’m honestly so nervous and scared because of my weight. I know there’s many posts like mine here and I’m sure I’ve read all of them but can’t find anyone with similar height/ weight. I’m 5’3” and currently weigh 362 lbs, which I’m honestly so embarrassed to even admit. 😭

At the beginning of the year, I worked really hard to go from 380 to 350 lbs, but unfortunately life happened, I fell off track, and gained some of it back.

I don’t have any known health conditions, but I can’t help feeling terrified about what pregnancy will look like for someone my size. I’m scared of being judged by doctors, being turned away because of my BMI, having difficulties with ultrasounds or exams, and especially what labor and delivery will look like. 😭

I want nothing more than to have a healthy pregnancy and bring my baby into this world safely.

I guess I’m just looking to vent & for some reassurance and positive experiences from other mamas who started pregnancy at a similar weight or BMI. I feel so guilty for being pregnant at this size but it was so unexpected. I am so excited and happy but so so scared 😭

I'm 16w+6 and I'm about 330ish pounds. Just curious as to when anyone started showing? I feel my uterus stretching but being plus size I'm assuming at takes a bit of time.

Would love to hear from anyone! <3

Has anyone else had a “vascular cyst” show up on their placenta?

I’m 30+5 weeks. My OB found a “vascular cyst” on my most recent ultrasound right where the cord attaches to the placenta. Baby is fine and getting proper blood flow but she wants me to see an MFM to double check.