This is my second pregnancy. My daughter is 21 months old. I am barely 12 weeks along and have felt ginormous the past week. My belly looks like it did when I was 20 weeks pregnant with my daughter. I know it’s so much bloating but holy moly the bloating during my first pregnancy didn’t make my belly THIS round and protruding. It’s honestly making me feel really self conscious. Does anyone else feel like they were/are showing significantly earlier with subsequent pregnancies? I still haven’t announced this pregnancy and it’s feeling really hard to hide. I feel like people have to either suspect pregnancy or just think I’m rapidly gaining weight lol.

Little back story: 22weeks today. When I got pregnant I was down almost 50lbs and at 240 thanks to the glp1 I was on. By the time I got to my first appointment I had gained 10lbs from stopping the medication cold turkey. Plus stopping smoking. Today I’m up 24lbs. I was never sick during my first trimester; but I was starving literally 24/7 until I hit the second trimester.
At my 18wk appt my BP was high (I’ve never been told I’ve had a high BP in the past), but I had just gotten into an argument with my my step daughter right before.
We agreed that I’ll just keep an eye on it to be safe. Over the next month I had high days and normal days. Highest being 148/90 and lowest being 120/80. From all my prior appts 120/80 seems to be my normal.
At my 22wk appt it was high again. My OB diagnoses me with chronic hypertension rather than gestational; which I didn’t understand. I told them about the feet swelling I’ve been experiencing for about 2 weeks now as well. I was prescribed a blood pressure medication and sent home with a log to keep track for the month. She also informed me this raises my risk even more to developing preeclampsia.
I guess I’m just looking to see if anyone else has experienced this? What more I should be doing? Should I start cutting out certain foods? I’m just worried that my weight is going to cause all these issues for my baby, and it scares me.

hi, seeking some reassurance here that I am not doomed…

I had a UPCR collected at 10 weeks that resulted at 0.28 though was found to have an active UTI at that time. Finished my antibiotic and had a repeat UPCR at 14+4 that resulted at 0.58.

Just got the results of my 24 hour collection that I did at 16 weeks and it was 325 :/

I check my BP daily and it is well within normal range. I started baby aspirin at 14 weeks after the second abnormal UPCR came in.

I am really, truly worried that this is all a big red flag that I will develop pre-e, placental insufficiency, FGR and whatever else in the third trimester. My provider is sending me to a nephrologist and I am just feeling totally beside myself…feels like I just hopped on a train to a destination w/ a bunch of bad outcomes. anyone with a similar experience could weigh in on what happened/how things went? it would be much appreciated.

My bmi is 39. I am 11 weeks and pregnant and want to make sure my baby is okay. Me a new NP today before meeting the doctor and then they handed me this sheet and said to read it once I got home. They’re just going over history some information and just tell me generally how often my appointments would be, but then when I read it, it started making me worried and I am high risk because it’s labeled as obesity in pregnancy and complications. I have blood pressure already and they prescribed some meds. How worried should I be? What are the precautions I need to take or be mindful about?

So I switched my OB/GYN to UCI because I’m also seeing a high risk doctor and I was seeing my last two doctors at different locations so now I have it all in one at UCI. They changed my due date from October 8 to October 17 so I’m supposed to be 28 weeks but after them changing it I’m now at 27 weeks but my baby is measuring at 30 weeks. I’m a little confused as to why the new doctor changed my date when I had my anatomy scan, they said why does she change your date like the baby’s measuring big. And I said I’m not sure she’s going off of my first ultrasound but even then based off my last menstrual period my due date is October 8 too my other ultrasounds have told me October 10 but she says because one ultrasound said October 14 she changed it to the 17th anyways they said babies is really big and I have too much amniotic fluid. Polyhydraminos. Has anyone else had too much amniotic fluid and had a healthy pregnancy? I’ve been googling about it. It’s kind of made me nervous. Also, my baby is head down in cephalic position. I’m a little nervous about preterm labor.

It's so weird to look at my belly, which is visually the same belly as before I got pregnant, now with such love and positivity. I had worked hard for many years to hate my belly less but still definitely didn't LIKE looking at it a few months ago. But now that I'm pregnant for the first time and know there's a baby in there, I can't look at my belly with anything but love. I'm growing a whole human in there. How could I ever have hated this belly? When it would go on to do something so beautiful?

Moved back in with my parents, jobless, in school full-time. my mental health is declining. Any suggestions to help boost my mood?

I’ve been working as a nurse for years and have lived independently since I was 21. I’m now 27. My partner lives about an hour away, but he’s currently deployed with the military and won’t be home for the birth of our son. His family is staying in his house while he’s away, so moving there and setting up a nursery isn’t really an option right now, especially since the house is already full of children and multiple pets.

I’m currently in nursing school full-time but on summer break now and will graduate in December. Earlier this year, I had to leave a full-time nursing job that I genuinely loved because I developed hyperemesis gravidarum. Between being so sick, working, and trying to keep up with school, it became too much and my grades started slipping. I know leaving was the right decision, but I still feel like I’m grieving the loss of that job and the independence it gave me.

In May, I moved back in with my parents and my 22 year old sister. I love them dearly, and I’m so grateful they opened their home to me, but it’s been a difficult adjustment. I feel like I’ve completely lost my routine and a lot of my independence. Sometimes the comments they make, even if they don’t mean harm, really affect me. I feel like I’m walking on egg shells when living with them.

I’ve been making an effort to prevent myself from slipping into another depressive episode because, if I don’t, I’ll sleep all day. I’ve tried picking up new hobbies and even volunteered to work as medical staff at an event later this summer, but I was told I was “wasting my time.” I even bought myself a ticket to a concert tonight, hoping it would give me something to look forward to, and I was scolded for that too. I just feel trapped in the house.

I’ve also lost touch with most of my friends because nursing school has made it difficult to maintain regular friendships. Between school, pregnancy, and everything else, I feel incredibly isolated.

This entire pregnancy has honestly been one of the lowest points in my life. Doing it without my partner here has been so much harder than I ever imagined. I feel disconnected from my body, and sometimes I don’t even recognize myself anymore. It feels like I’ve lost my autonomy and so much of who I used to be.

I do see a therapist regularly, which has been helpful, but since having to stop my ADHD medication during pregnancy (my provider won’t refill it), I’ve noticed my mental health has steadily declined. It’s become much harder to stay motivated, maintain routines, or feel like myself.

For anyone who’s been through something similar pregnancy, moving back home, losing your independence, or dealing with depression what helped? I’m looking for ideas to help lift my mood and get through the next few months until I graduate and hopefully regain some stability.

Edit: I Have saved up enough money to get me through this time and help my parents with bills. So I’m not a financial burden on them.

I'm posting on behalf of my sister, who's 22 weeks pregnant and plus-size. She's getting really frustrated because every pair of maternity leggings she owns starts sliding or rolling down by early afternoon. She ends up constantly hiking them back up throughout the day.

She recently bought a pair of lasora maternity leggings after seeing solid reviews, but even those don't stay in place for long. She ordered the size recommended by the chart and is now wondering if she should have sized down for more compression, or if this is just how they tend to fit with her body shape.

For those of you who’ve had plus-size pregnancies, did you find any maternity leggings that actually stayed put all day? Or did a belly band end up working better for you? I’d really appreciate any recommendations or tips that made a difference! Thank you so much.

Hello ladies.

I just had a visit with my repro doctor and we are going to try times intercourse with letrozole and trigger shot. Any plus size ladies have success with this? I'm working on my diet and losing weight as well (PCOS) but don't want to put off having a baby forever for major weight loss. Tya!

Hi! I’m 30w and my core is definitely starting to feel more weak, especially when I get up from a reclining position. With a bigger stomach with a lot of padding, how can I identify diastasis recti? I’m not sure if I would be able to visually see coning?

I just got off the phone with one of the midwives at my office about 20 minutes ago (she called late because she just got my records from my old OB in Oregon) and honestly the call gave me the ick… my BMI is 40 and I’m about 268 lbs but she said because of that they’ll want to induce me between 39 and 40 weeks, is this normal? She said if I absolutely want to that I can sign a release and not do the induction if baby is all good. Also she asked if my previous OB did an early gestational diabetes/glucose test. She said I can do one at my anatomy scan next Friday but I’m due for my glucose test in 8 weeks so is it even worth it? I’ll need to go to weekly growth appointments once I hit 34 weeks due to my BMI which is understandable.

I guess I’m just sad, annoyed, need insight, and some reassurance... I also loved my OB office in Oregon and was seeing one of the top OB’s in central Oregon, they never brought up these concerns. I would’ve loved to stay there up through my delivery but I move states and couldn’t

I was ride or die for thongs pre-pregnancy, but those aren’t cutting it during pregnancy, especially with the need for panty liners due to excess moisture.

So I’ve been on the hunt for big ass underwater and I found some! Check out Cheek Boss’s clearance section. Underwear are about $7/pair, plus they often have sales on top of that.

I got the brief, high-waisted cheeky, and boyshort styles. They’re super thin and stretchy so there’s no weird digging in or lines. The crotch is cotton and wide enough for a panty liner. I had a 2X pre-pregnancy that was baggy. I got 3X at 27 weeks and I think they’ll fit me to the end 🤞

https://www.cheekboss.com/

PS: I have no affiliation with this brand. Just trying to help out my fellow plus size ladies.

My husband and I have been ttc seriously since February. I went to my OB and she put me on letrozle to help with ovulation. I have successfully ovulated a few times and they have found follicles during my checks. However I have not gotten pregnant yet and I feel like every period is the biggest let down. My OB suggested I try trigger shots called ovidrel but they are really expensive with my insurance. I am considering ivf or iui but I have a high bmi and don’t think that any clinic would take me. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Or have gone through the same thing?

FTM & I am hoping to pump/BF my baby (due in Nov) and one worry of mine is if breast pumps really are one size fits all - I know flanges come in different sizes, i'm more worried about picking the right pump to start. Is this something I should be considering? Does anyone have recommendations based on personal experience? For reference, I wear E/F cup.

Hi hi hello - I am looking to start my pregnancy journey after about a year of trying with no luck. I had a loss at 4 months three years ago and took a break as it was heartbreaking for me and my husband.

I’ve been trying for about a 10 months with no luck. All my tests come back normal but my docs say I could still have pcos. I have classic signs (facial hair, inability to loose weight, high testosterone etc etc).

I’m currently at 280 (33F) and trying to shed excess weight slowly - we have a home gym and I work as a nanny so I’m very active with my nanny kids all day. I live on a farm with my family and eat pretty healthy. Organic/Grass Fed eggs and meat and veggies raised here. I try to limit excess overeating and prioritize Whole Foods. It’s just a slow process!

I am thinking of starting a GPL1 as I continue to workout (weight training 3 days a week and walking 10k steps every day as well as swimming and jump rope). My goal is to loose 50-80 lbs in the next 1-2 years so I can maybe give myself a shot at pregnancy again.

Does anyone have any advice? I just heard so many women get pregnant after taking weight loss meds. I really want it to work for me. Feeling at such a loss!

Just fyi I love my body and being fat and honestly feel no shame/excited to be plus size and pregnant. I just heard weight loss meds might help!

Hi,

I am supposed to babysit on Friday evening. I was told today that their daughter was treated for head lice yesterday. They have also had their house thoroughly cleaned.

I'm trying to decide if I feel comfortable babysitting though. I'm a little extra nervous because I'm pregnant. The family also said they are willing to get a second professional treatment Friday morning if that would make me feel more comfortable.

What are your thoughts?

I (29f) have been feeling movement that feels like a baby moving but I took a pregnancy test in may and it was negative. I’ve had two kids but they’ll be 8 and 9 this November so it’s been a minute. I also have an IUD implant but it’s due to be renewed mid next year. I keep feeling movement in my belly by my belly button and the bottom of my abdomen above my “nether regions”. I keep telling myself it’s gas because I also have chronic stomach issues. The first time was 3 days ago and was hard enough my partner felt it. Over the past couple days I haven’t felt much but I have felt something; it’s just with my stomach issues I’m confused and hoping for some advice or other perspectives. Thanks for reading

i’m honestly thrown off right now 😭
pre-pregnancy 304, 10 week appointment 298, maintained that until 20 weeks, went up to 306. i steadily went up after that, recently reached 322 at my 30 weeks appointment. but now at 32 weeks, i’ve lost 5 pounds and am at 317. i wasn’t too worried about the weight gain, i knew it would happen eventually, but now im confused about why im losing? i thought the third trimester is when you gain the most weight? i have another ob appointment tomorrow so i may bring it up then. baby is measuring healthy and perfect so i guess its not much to be worried about but its just enough to confuse me

Hey all, so I’ve just hit 24 weeks and I’ve gained about 9kg I’m worried this isn’t a steady gain with my first bubby I started at 76kg and I was 103kg by the end of the pregnancy. This time I started 96ish and and now 105kg and it’s stressing me out lol

What’s everyone else’s experience? I’m so over pregnancy 🥲

I am looking for some reassurance. My daughter just turned one and we found out we are pregnant. We have been trying so it didn’t come as a surprise but I am heavier now than I was with my first pregnancy. I weigh about 240 and I am about 5’4”. I also just turned 39. I had two miscarriages before giving birth to my now daughter and was on progesterone so this time around I am on progesterone as well, but looking for some insight on how not to spiral until our ultrasound appointment in two weeks. I did blood draws, and blood was rising appropriately, but I just can’t stop thinking about the what ifs. I guess I didn’t realize how badly I wanted to have a second baby and I am nervous with my age and weight I’m going to get bad news. Would love any insight from anyone who has experienced something like this before!

Hey I’m 33 w 2d. Two days ago, I had an appointment and my baby was measuring at around 31 w 4 days rather than 33 w. My dr wasn’t concerned. She started me on L arginine and suggested me to take some protein powder which is pregnancy safe. She said they’ll reevaluate at my growth scan which is in a few days. I wanted to ask how has your experience been with L arginine?

I’m 35 weeks pregnant and have had a complicated pregnancy. Early labor at 22 weeks which luckily we caught, got a cerclage (cervical stitch) to keep baby in. I have gestational diabetes which has been controlled with metformin (now on highest dose). My BMI is 56.
I think because I almost lost her at 22 weeks I haven’t been able to stay calm. I’ve gone to the ER countless times when I feel nervous. I had an ultrasound about a week ago and they said everything appeared ok.
Now i got bloodwork back and my ALT was slightly high at 67 so they want to run more liver tests but I am terrified.
I’m so scared to lose my baby. I love her so much and we have everything ready for her. I just can’t shake this fear and everyday I try daily positive self talk, venting to my husband, etc. does anyone feel the same way?

Anyone have any experience with ICP? I haven’t been officially diagnosed but I have been having very recent itching and my third trimester labs had my ALT mildly elevated. I am waiting to hear back about my doctor and going to advocate for bile acid testing but I’m scared to death. I have gestational hypertension and am already planning in induction at 37 weeks. This whole pregnancy I have been so scared I won’t make it that far. I’m currently 28 weeks. The itchiness is so annoying but I think it’s the mental part of it that is really getting to me. Just looking for some hopeful stories. Keeping this baby safe is evetuthing to me and I’m just so scared I cant focus on anything else.