Michelle is from Kannapolis, North Carolina. She's 35 years old and currently weighs over 300lbs. She recently lost her job due to downsizing but was working in Human Resources as a Customer Service Manager. She has a total of four children, three of which are biological. A 19-year-old stepdaughter, an 11-year-old son (who will be 12 next month) and 8-year-old twins (a boy and a girl).
Did you have difficulty conceiving?
I had no problems whatsoever. All 3 of my biological children were conceived "naturally" with no fertility drugs or anything (even the twins... they were the biggest surprise of my life).
Were you overweight or obese during pregnancies?
I have always been overweight, even in childhood.
Did you have any complications during pregnancies.
I went into preterm labor at 6 months with my oldest son. I had to be placed on a medication called "Brethine" to stop the labor. I had to remain on the medication for the remainder of my pregnancy. Then, after the doctor took me off the medication about 2 weeks before my due date. After I went 3 weeks PAST my due date, they finally induced labor and 18 hours later I had my son.
Did you have a C-section?
No. I "delivered' both times.
Did you have an episiotomy or epidural?
I had the epidural with both pregnancies...it didn't work during my single birth, but worked like a miracle during the birth of my twins. With the first birth I was in "intolerable" pain. I literally asked God to let me die. They did not give me an episiotomy, but clearly should have as my son was 9 lbs. I ripped. Need I say more about what the outcome was as a result of no episiotomy? But, the twins were a breeze". The epidural worked. It was like being in heaven. And, I didn't need an episiotomy. I was in labor 4 hours and the twins were born five minutes apart.
How much weight did you gain during pregnancies?
I gained about 35 pounds each time.
Did you lose your pregnancy weight?
The first time, I lost about half of it. The second time I lost about a fourth of it. But, I undoubtedly ended up gaining it all back and then some.
How much did your baby(s) weigh at birth?
My single was 9 lbs and the twins were 5lbs 15 1/2 oz and 6 lbs 14 oz
How were you treated by medical professionals during pregnancy?
They were really good to me. I had no complaints.
How were you treated by medical professionals during delivery?
I didn't have any complaints in this area either. However, I must admit I had the advantage of having multiple family members employed at the hospital facility where I delivered (including my mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, several of my husband's aunts, etc.), not to mention my husband and I were both former employees as well as my brother and my sister and my husband's grandmother. So, I'm sure this had a lot to do with the wonderful treatment I received. Although, I do feel we would have gotten good treatment even if we did not have all of these "ties".
What was the best part about being pregnant?
The royal treatment you got from everyone else.
What was the worst part about being pregnant?
The morning sickness.
What would you have liked to have known then that you known now?
That they really do have places that offer fashionable maternity closes in large sizes.
Do you wish you had lost some weight before getting pregnant? Why or why not?
Yes, especially with the twins because it was really hard carrying all the weight.
* Lisa's Pregnancy Interview
* Cynthia's Pregnancy Interview
* Melissa's Pregnancy
