Obstetrics appointments due to high bmi

[Sheena03]

Hello!

I am 11weeks into my first pregnancy aged 21. I’ve already had my booking appointment with my midwife and she has informed me due to my bmi I will be having shared care (midwife/consultant). I’ve seen a lot of negative things about consultants so I asked my midwife if I should be worried and she did tell me that some people do find them quite rude.

I already feel like I’m being made to feel guilty because of my bmi but there’s nothing that I can do about it now and I don’t want to keep bringing attention to it because it is making me very anxious and upset. I appreciate going through risks and everything but putting pressure on me isn’t going to help! Can anyone share with me what their experiences have been like and if I’m worrying for no reason?!

I was referred and the consultant was fine. We both knew why I was there so there wasn’t any point him telling me off. As I was ‘in rude health’ (as he put it), except for my gigantic fatness, it was all ok. He really wasn’t disparaging or unkind at all. In fact, I can’t even remember what we talked about, beyond the ‘rude health’ comment.

Please try not to worry too much. If he/she is rude you can complain but I’m sure they won’t be. Their job is to help you get through your pregnancy and have a lovely baby at the end. Their job is not to make you feel bad about yourself (that’s what mothers are for.)

Being overweight increases the risk of complications for you and your baby.

My friend (obese with a bmi of 30) had additional support and was given a concession for slimming world which she found helpful. She did develop GD and had several complications, but is OK now with a healthy 2 year old. She's losing weight and determined she won't be fat when she conceives again.

Exactly the same happened to me. I had growth scans and then straight after a consultation with the consultant. They only mentioned weight the first appointment, literally mentioned needing to be healthy for like a split second. The rest of the time they just look over your scan notes.
Shared care is a good thing, I had my appointment with my community midwife all was fine, the next day had a scheduled appointment with consultant and I'd developed preeclampsia

Think about your baby - yes, plenty of obese mothers go on to have healthy babies, but plenty don't. Your consultant will give you advice on how to minimise the risk of complications. Yes, it may be embarrassing, but your health and that of your baby is more important than hurt feelings.

Don’t worry. I have had shared care in 2/3 pregnancies and now again in my 4th. All Bmi related.
The consultant did make reference to my weight and some the additional risks caused by it. I didn’t enjoy it but that’s because I don’t enjoy talking about my weight.
There is no reason that a consultant should be rude. If they are, there is no less reason to say straight away that your actually being made to feel uncomfortable. Consultants are humans too!

I have a high bmi (37 before morning sickness dropped a bit of weight!), it was similar in my first pregnancy too and had shared care both times with no issues with consultants other than having to pay for hospital parking.

No preeclampsia, GD or other complications, midwife led birth with no issues first time round- 2nd due later this year.

I also know someone who has a bmi of around 58 at least and she was never made to feel bad when pregnant either.

It’s not about feeling self-conscious. It’s about trying to keep you and the baby in good health as the BMI does put you at high risk or different complications. Vast majority of consultants will have manners and not be rude so I wouldn’t worry about that.

Thank you for all the supportive replies! I feel a little more at ease now! I know it needs to be addressed and comes with additional risks but as long as it’s not addressed in a rude way :-)

I've had input from a consultant in both my pregnancies. I was never weighed, I was never made to feel bad or small for my BMI. They did some additional tests, blood pressure and glucose test because you are at higher risk of developing some conditions.

But all in all it was fine. Just routine for them really.

but there’s nothing that I can do about it now

Yes you can, there's plenty you can do to help yourself.

By that I mean I can’t exactly try some fad diet. Having a higher bmi does not mean I don’t exercise daily or eat a healthy diet, especially since finding out I’m pregnant.

Sheena03 I know what you mean about not being able to do any thing about it now. With the best will in the world, you could join slimming world and follow their preggo plan and various other things but, in my experience, the recommendations have been to try to keep a moderate level of exercise, don’t “eat for two” and to watch and try to limit weight gain. Good luck with it x