Top Tips for Your Plus-Size Pregnancy

You’re plus size and pregnant, and you’re wanting some tips on how to manage all of this. Your provider may have said you need to lose weight, and you’re just lost as to what to do. Never fear, I’ve got tips for you and things to be aware of as well!

Before we get started, HELLO! I’m Hilary — many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse 👩‍⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I’m also plus size myself and I understand the unique challenges people of size face. I’ve written a bunch of plus-size articles including Overweight at Disneyland and reviewing Plus-Size clothing subscriptions.

At the same point, I understand what the hospital & providers face as we provide the best care to you — so I’m a great resource on this one.

This post is sponsored by The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — it really is the easy way to get prepared for birth. If you’re looking to feel less anxiety about the labor room — it’s the class for you. In just a few hours you can feel so much better about your upcoming birth!

This is NOT going to be a post on how to lose weight, or what your weight should be duirng your pregnancy. That is very much peresonalized to you, your unique needs and circumstances — but it IS a conversation you should have with your provider.

In case you’re a listener, I also chatted over a few considerations for plus size mamas on my podcast.

Embrace Your Body

You may have spent a lot of your life hating your body — it wasn’t doing the things you wish it did. It doesn’t look like other people’s body (and if that’s not you, that’s amazing and just skip to the next heading). But your body is REALLY amazing. It’s gotten pregnant, it’s growing a LIFE!

Love your body, love the curves and be grateful it’s doing amazing things for you.

Don’t forget that being underweight can actually be more problematic during pregnancy. Your body has a lot of stuff your baby needs, and that’s amazing!

Find Your Provider

Some providers have a pretty severe bias against overweight people. I have seen this in person, and I’ve heard them say things that were NOT ok.

Now, that isn’t to say that most provider will mention that you’re overweight and it is a risk for things in pregnancy. BUT they shouldn’t shame you or make it to mean anything about it. It’s just a risk and that’s OK.

If you’re not getting the vibes you want from a provider, shop around. It is pretty easy to switch providers up until about 30 weeks, which it likely gets harder.

Ask other plus size friends who they loved — that’s a great place to start!

The best place to find a doctor is always to ask any nurse friends who they recommend. They see lots of aspects of providers and are often your best bet!

Also, it’s so important to get the basics covered so you’re not asking about those at your appointment. I recommend getting a great prenatal class, so you can dive into more important topics with your provider.

Keep Moving

I would encourage you to find a fitness person who aligns with your needs. There are a LOT of pregnancy/prenatal workouts anymore. But, using someone who helps keep your body active is going to be really helpful.

Not sure what to do — ask your provider, they might have some good ones to start with!

Dress Your Body

You might see all those tight dresses and wish you could wear those clothes, but wear the clothes that help you to feel the most confident in your pregnancy.

Some people find just going up a size or two is nicer, but there are also TONS of flowy dresses that you can love even after baby is born. Check out my post on early pregnancy clothes for more options!

Your Weight Is an Issue

Yes, health at every size. Yes, you can still have an amazing pregnancy — but your weight is one of your issues. It is something you have some control over (vs age) — so it is something your provider will counsel you over.

Personally, if your provider will give you a referral to a nutritionist I’d take it. Learning to eat right in pregnancy will not only reduce weight gain, but often you feel so much better!

Be aware of things that can pop-up due to you being plus sized. Things like:

• Higher risk for some issues like diabetes
• Issues with ultrasound readings due to increased fat layers
• More difficulty feeling fetal movement (kick counts cheat sheet below)

So, just make sure you’re doing the things you can control for things like this.

And don’t be afraid of diving into these issues with your doctor. Don’t feel shame when they bring them up. Remember, it’s risks you need to know about in advance.

I also have some tips for safe eating during pregnancy that you might find helpful:

Be Your Advocate

Providers may do or say things that hurt your feelings. If you feel like a statement was unfair or unkind, let them know. It’s important that you speak up for yourself so they know what they’re saying isn’t OK.

It may just be the way they’ve said things for a long time and just need someone to say “that’s not ok”.

Try to leave emotions out of it when you have these discussions. Just say — “wow, that seems kind of harsh”. The only way provider will do better is if we let them know how they are coming across.

Size Does Matter

I don’t love that heading, but I couldn’t come up with something. Now, “overweight” comes in a lot of categories. Some of you guys reading this may just be a few pounds overweight, but some of you may be much more than that.

Just FYI there is hospital equipment that has weight limit. Things like beds, wheelchairs, operating room tables. If you’re very over weight talk with your provider about anything you should know about the hospital and how it could affect your care.

For instance, sometimes we had to do cesarean sections in the main operating room (OR) instead of our smaller labor and delivery OR because their beds could hold larger patients. Things like that. Again, most of those tables easily hold 400+ pounds, but once you get past that number things get more difficult.

There are also things like getting your IV in, placing an epidural or even sometimes placing a foley catheter that is harder when you are overweight. Sometimes we need extra staff, or extra time to do those things with you.

Staff should still be kind, and straightforward when even having difficulty with these tasks, and if they’re not be SURE to say it’s not OK. I’ve heard anesthesia say the rudest things to pregnat patients, and I wish one of them had called them on it.

You also need to be aware that if you have an epidural the staff will need multiple people to help turn you and things get more difficult for us as we help you in labor.

Again, make sure that you’re letting them know if things are bothering you, but also that tasks may just be different for us. Awareness is always a win.

Also, coming in with a good attitude and trying to be as helpful to the staff is always a win. Learning to be flexible (which is talked about a BUNCH in here) is a great skill to have.

Seek Out Support

There are lots of plus size mom groups out there. I am a big fan of Plus Mommy (I’ve actually met her, and she’s super nice — really a big fan of the work she’s doing over there). She has a podcast and has a unique viewpoint for pregnancy & birth in the plus size zone.

She also has a pregnancy guide that would be a great addition to this.

But, find what feels right for you. You deserve to feel supported and loved in your pregnancy just as much as anyone else. I’m so glad you’re considering these aspects of your pregnancy and please keep helping the system change to support you better!

When you’re ready, come join me in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples where you can get prepared for the rest of your pregnancy, labor, birth and life after baby!

Or, if you’re not quite ready for the full class, check out my free prenatal class — It’s your first step towards being your own birth boss.