Told by OBGYN I couldn't have kids due to weight....

My sister did; she doesn't talk about it much. She got gestational diabetes and there were several specialists watching over her like a hawk. It did a number on her body, that's for sure. She actually lost weight through her pregnancy. My sister is on insulin to this day.

Best of success in your weight loss enterprise.

I was told I couldn't have a child without fertitility treatments due to my PCOS. At the time I was 220. I came to terms that I wouldn't have children, dropped down to 185 and surprise, I was pregnant. I was scolded throughout my pregnancy for my rapid weight gain. I was 250 the day that I gave birth! I, luckily, never had high BP or diabetes. Other than terrible aches and pains from being pregnant and carrying around the extra weight, I had a smooth pregnancy and a healthy bundle of joy. Each person is different and every pregnancy is different, but the risk are higher when you are overweight and it really is not comfortable at all. I was miserable especially being 9 months pregnant, 250 pounds in South Louisiana.

Good luck to you.

rachel_mouse wrote: »

Was her child healthy, though?

I had a friend who was morbidly obese when she got pregnant. She got gestational diabetes and ended up in pre-term labor because the baby ended up in distress.

I know you are trying to find a way around it to say that you are just find getting pregnant at a higher weight, but I is very hard on the body and the baby. You may have struggles even getting pregnant. It's also easier to lose the weight before having kids than it is after. After having a baby it isn't as easy to take time for ourselves.

It's not just about the birth - it's also about what comes after. There is no way in hell I could have kept up with mine if I hadn't gotten much fitter. *Everything* about parenting is that much harder if you're obese and unfit - and it absolutely positively limits what you can do for/with your kids.

He was exaggerating about "killing" your chances, but wasn't wrong about the higher risk involved. I doubt any other OBGYN would say anything different about the risk.

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I, by some miracle, I had three healthy, beautiful babies even though I am morbidly obese, my youngest turns oNE tomorrow. I got pregnant very easily, the last was actually an oops baby that was conceived on birth control. I had healthy pregnancies although I did have three csections.

Let me make this clear, I am the exception. Most women of my size are not as lucky.

Also, now with 5 kids (two "steps" that we have custody of) I am trying to lose over 100 pounds. It would have been so much easier before kids. I don't regret my children but trying to schedule my workouts with two in diapers, two in elementary school, and one in high school, sports practices, homework time, naps, finding someone to watch them, cooking and cleaning 500 times a day, it's not easy. And many times I go to bed feeling guilty that I took time for myself to workout.

Do it now, before kids, don't take a chance.

rachel_mouse wrote: »

Something personal... what finally motivated me to lose weight was when, a few months ago, my OBGYN told me that being at my weight... I would have a high-risk pregnancy and a much higher chance of miscarrying. Basically, that me being obese would kill my chances at having a healthy child, or a child at all. He said this in a "nice" way, and I prompted the discussion... but his responses shocked me. I knew it would be more high-risk, but not to what degree. I don't have high BP or diabetes or any weight-related illnesses other than some additional joint pain on top of the arthritis I already have. He said I should try to get to 180 lbs before I get pregnant (I am currently 267). I'd like to have a kid in the next 2 years or so, so losing this weight is so important to me.

Did anyone here go through a high-risk pregnancy due to their weight? What extra did you have to go through?

My first advice is to find a female nurse practitioner, obgyn or midwife. Sorry but I do not like male doctors. I strongly think I get the best care and counsel from a woman dr/practitioner.

Justygirl77 wrote: »

rachel_mouse wrote: »

Something personal... what finally motivated me to lose weight was when, a few months ago, my OBGYN told me that being at my weight... I would have a high-risk pregnancy and a much higher chance of miscarrying. Basically, that me being obese would kill my chances at having a healthy child, or a child at all. He said this in a "nice" way, and I prompted the discussion... but his responses shocked me. I knew it would be more high-risk, but not to what degree. I don't have high BP or diabetes or any weight-related illnesses other than some additional joint pain on top of the arthritis I already have. He said I should try to get to 180 lbs before I get pregnant (I am currently 267). I'd like to have a kid in the next 2 years or so, so losing this weight is so important to me.

Did anyone here go through a high-risk pregnancy due to their weight? What extra did you have to go through?

My first advice is to find a female nurse practitioner, obgyn or midwife. Sorry but I do not like male doctors. I strongly think I get the best care and counsel from a woman dr/practitioner.

I think that would be a personal thing. I feel that men have offered more objective advice and the women attempted to force their personal feelings into my medical issues (especially during pregnancy). I got horrible care from female obgyns and great care from males (except one, who was far too old to be practicing).

It's different for everyone. I was 164 when I was pregnant with my last child and 160 when I got pregnant with the previous child. Both times I ended up getting gestational diabetes and both babies were born with low blood sugar and were in the NICU. Your doc isn't going to say something for the fun of it. Trust their opinion excess weight especially in the higher 200s means that you aren't eating healthy and that the risks of comications are so much higher.

My best friend is a 400 pound woman and she had no trouble getting pregnant, no gestational diabetes (though my teeny-tiny sister in law got that with her pregnancy), and no problems with delivery. It just depends...I wouldn't say you're hopeless, but I'm sure it's still a risk factor, just like any other.

If you want to get pregnant in the next two years you have plenty of time to lose 70 lbs!

Even if you are lucky and wouldn't have issues, it's just easier for the recovery to be in shape, and it's less weight you have to lose after the fact.

I was 190 when I got pregnant, no issues until the very end when my blood pressure went up (no high blood pressure ever before). I was induced 2 weeks early and had a very healthy 8 lb 7 oz baby, and no c-section. The dr told me my chances of c section were higher with induction, so i was very pleased.

buuuut, I also go to 240 by the end, gained way too much, and have had a difficult time getting back down. Imagine if I started higher, it would have been so much worse. That is why I am trying to get down to 170 before baby number 2 to make things easier on myself afterward.

My sister in law was closer to 250 when she got pregnant and is now on bed rest at 34 weeks due to elevated blood pressure. It can just be more difficult. Obviously everyone is different though.

I'm 10 lbs overweight and I was told to lose it before I conceive. It's quite disturbing to hear, and I don't want an unhealthy child. I don't think I'm that much at risk. I have been gaining weight due to stress. I overeat fats and sugars. I need support and motivation in this so I can conceive while not being overweight. It's a goal, but not the easiest.
We can do this! We can! We will!

My daughter who is obese and short (only 5'2") had problems with both of her pregnancies. The first took a real toll on her body. She had serious swelling. Her legs and feet got so bad that she could barely walk. She had trouble during labor and ended up having an emergency C-section because my grandson was in distress. My granddaughter was born 5 weeks early and ended up in the neonatal intensive care unit. She is fine now but had problems regulating her blood sugar, had breathing problems, and was jaundiced.

You were very wise to ask your doctor about the potential impact of your weight on having a successful pregnancy and smart to commit to losing the weight before you get pregnant. You can do this! If you need an additional friend for support, I would be happy to support you!!

You are so smart to get it off before you get pregnant. MFP is the best tool I've found so far for helping me stay focused on my health and my weight loss. MFP won't do it for me, I still have to be the one to exercise and eat right, but it just seems easier when there are so many people here who really know where I am at.
I had a lot of weight to lose when my oldest children were little. My doctor told me that if I didn't get the weight off I would be lucky if I made it to their weddings. If I did make it I would be an observer, and not a participant. I'm glad he told me that. I got real serious and took it off. Unfortunately, in taking care of my little ones I forgot to take care of me. Now they are teens, and they require a LOT of energy, and I am overweight again. It is hard to keep up with them. That is why I am here now. I want to be here to watch them grow up, and I want to be able to keep up with them.
I wish that I would have had MFP at your stage. Keep it up. You can do this. We all can with all the support here.

A morbidly obese coworker had to have labor induced and nearly died. The baby did die. I don't know if her weight was responsible for the outcome, but I'm sure it didn't help.