'Warning over obesity in pregnancy'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jan/10/pregnancy-obesity-weight-mother-warning

Huh. Looks like they are heading the way the US does things.

I'm of mixed opinion here. I was overweight for both my pregnancies. In Somerset, I was referred for a gestational diabetes test but never had a problem. I had complications after my c-sec, but was told that they were not related to my weight and my weight had no impact on my recovery. I actually ended up thinner after both pregnancies than before I got pregnant!

In Devon my midwife was completely unconcerned about my weight and I was never even referred for the GD test.

Neither of my kids had foetal abnormalities. I think I would have found weighing at every visit really stressful - especially as I did have a lot of oedema.

That said, I recognize I may be one of the exceptions. Not many people end up thinner post-preg like I did. I know so many women struggle with weight both during and after pregnancy.

Just curious what others think?

I just don't think pregnancy is the time to start worrying about one's weight.   

I just don't think pregnancy is the time to start worrying about one's weight.   

I agree, but I also don't think one should be in the mindset that they can eat as much as they want because they're pregnant. It's not an excuse to overeat. One of my friends was that way with her first pregnancy (she was not overweight when she got pregnant) and when she realized how much she gained, she was much more conscious of what she was eating during her second one and she gained about 30 pounds less.

I agree with Bmore_2_UK; I am not worried about my weight, but I am definitely keeping an eye on it.  My doctor said gaining too much weight is the quickest way to a c-section.    I don't think that's necessarily true, but I also think keeping my weight gain within a reasonable range is a good idea for a number of reasons.  I think the main thing is to eat when you're hungry, but to make it healthy things rather than donuts and potato chips. 

I couldn't have eaten healthy with my first if I wanted to. I never was sick, but the thought of almost anything other than a few foods would make me gag. I lived on spaghetti hoops, french fries, cola, fried eggs, and peanut butter! Things I don't eat much (or at all, normally!) When I did eat things like salad or veggies, they went right through me. I was a slave to my multi vitamin.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the guidelines and the fact you *do* need to be as aware as possible of what you are eating and gaining. But I also think that pregnancy can do such weird things to you that you need to keep an open mind and go with the flow, too.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the guidelines and the fact you *do* need to be as aware as possible of what you are eating and gaining. But I also think that pregnancy can do such weird things to you that you need to keep an open mind and go with the flow, too.

I totally agree, but eating a candy bar a day because you're pregnant (which is what my friend did) isn't really going with the flow. No one's saying you are only allowed to gain *this* much weight, but I think it all just ties into the idea of basic, healthy nutrition. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to eat healthy and I think it's a good idea for doctors to point this out to all pregnant women.

The funny thing is that right before I got pregnant in 2007 I had just lost 100lbs...I gained 45 during pregnancy and then lost almost all of it by 8 weeks after having the baby. Then I ended up gaining almost all of the weight I had lost in the first place. Now I am looking at having to lose it all again.

But, the only thing that was mentioned to me during my pregnancy was that my Consultant wanted me to have the GTT to see if I had GD...results were negative and my weight was never mentioned. I was about 30lbs overweight when I became pregnant. No problems during pregnancy other than a bit of hypertension in the last couple of weeks which resulted in the c-section being moved up a few days. But a healthy baby at the end.

I started out a size 10 (UK) with my first pregnancy.  I gained an unseemly amount of weight as if I didn't eat, I would barf.  It was the same for the next 2 as well.  I wish it had been different, but as it was, fat as I was, I had 3 uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries.  I felt a bit down about my weight after the deliveries, but then I could eat normally. 

I ate pretty much what I felt like eating while I was pregnant. No it'a not an excuse to pig out but in my 2nd trimestre I had a seriously sweet tooth and would get through almost a whole packet of chocolate biscuits in one afternoon at work! I actually didn't gain much weight during my pregnancy though. I can't remember how much but I was back into my normal (size 14-16) clothes a couple of weeks after the birth. But when I went for my 6 week post birth check up, the doctor patted my stomach and said "looks like mummy needs to lose a few pounds" 

But when I went for my 6 week post birth check up, the doctor patted my stomach and said "looks like mummy needs to lose a few pounds" 

Yeah, he's a tool. 

It gets worse, the doctor was a woman! 

It gets worse, the doctor was a woman! 

Oh no!!! That is worse!!!

The funny thing is that right before I got pregnant in 2007 I had just lost 100lbs...I gained 45 during pregnancy and then lost almost all of it by 8 weeks after having the baby. Then I ended up gaining almost all of the weight I had lost in the first place. Now I am looking at having to lose it all again.

I have been gaining weight steadily for the past few years, and am pretty fat now.  Recently, my mom has been on my case about losing weight because she says it will be more difficult for me to conceive if I'm obese.  The thing is, I'm afraid of going through what you did, Weby.  I'm certain that if I go to the effort of losing weight to make conceiving easier, then I would just gain it all back again and more once I've given birth.  Yet my sister in law is overweight and she just had her first baby at age 40 with no problems whatsoever.  It was a c-section, but still.   

I have been gaining weight steadily for the past few years, and am pretty fat now.  Recently, my mom has been on my case about losing weight because she says it will be more difficult for me to conceive if I'm obese.  The thing is, I'm afraid of going through what you did, Weby.  I'm certain that if I go to the effort of losing weight to make conceiving easier, then I would just gain it all back again and more once I've given birth.  Yet my sister in law is overweight and she just had her first baby at age 40 with no problems whatsoever.  It was a c-section, but still.   

You can't be certain that will happen. Actually, if you breastfeed, that significantly helps lose weight for a good portion of people. I don't know you so I can't say that's a cop out but I would try to steer clear of that as an excuse not to lose weight. How do you know when you will conceive?

I'm considered "very obese" by the BMI scale and so what. Two months after me and my disabled husband stated TTC we were pregnant. I think the whole idea of you have to have a certain weight to help with conceiving is a bunch of bull hockey. I tried losing weight before we tired but we came to the conclusion that once I get pregnant that I will just gain it back.

What bothers me about this artical is they say

But Janet Fyle, midwifery adviser to the Royal College of Midwives, said it would be "counter-productive" to change the current practice because women with very high BMIs were already identified and given extra monitoring if necessary.

I have a BMI of 48 and you know what I haven't even heard anything about getting extra monitoring. I have been suggested to start a weight lose group which I think is just silly. Most of these groups you pay for which I don't have the income to use on such a thing. I can honestly say I am not getting any help other then the odd paper on what any pregnant woman should of shouldn't eat. The only thing I've been told is that I need to a check for diabetes and seeing about an epidural just is case of C-section.

They also suggest if you are pregnant and "over weight" that you should just eat normal portions. You really aren't supposed to eat for two, at the most you should add 300 Calories a day if your a normal weight. I think the idea of being over weight is ridiculous. I admit I am heavy and yes I need to loose weight, but a friend of mine is healthy and has meat on her bones and she considered over weight and its stupid. If she lost anything more she would be skin and bones!

Sorry if I sound like I am ranting, but it seems that they focus on large women. There are plenty of skinny girls who have issues in pregnancy.