Told to lose weight by midwife

[Paradii]

My BMI is 26 so I am classed as overweight.

I train horses for my job so I have a lot of muscle mass, especially in my legs. I have a flat stomach and definitely don't look overweight. I told her this but she insisted that I'm overweight and should aim to eat less calories/ more healthily.

Aibu to think I shouldn't try to lose weight, particularly when pregnant?

BMI of 26. I would have laughed at her

I'd tell her to f**k off.

So rude.

Carry on and definitely don't eat less!!

Ignore her. BMI means nothing.

There is nothing wrong with following a sensible weight loss plan if required when pregnant. I'm not particularly a fan of the Slimming World method, but I think it's been established as suitable if overweight and pregnant.

However if you already eat sensibly and exercise, then I wouldn't pay any real attention to a BMI of 26. It's pretty much only just in the Overweight category and I dont think should be used in isolation as a tool.

Technically she is right - the BMI means overweight, and following a healthy diet when pregnant is also fine.

But you dont actually have to do anything here, if you feel you lead a healthy lifestyle.

Even obese women shouldn't aim to lose weight in pregnancy, the aim would be to remain the same.

My bmi was higher than 26 when I was pregnant with ds2 and no one said anything to me. I believe if it's over 30 it becomes an issue.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

There is nothing wrong with following a sensible weight loss plan if required when pregnant. I'm not particularly a fan of the Slimming World method, but I think it's been established as suitable if overweight and pregnant.

However if you already eat sensibly and exercise, then I wouldn't pay any real attention to a BMI of 26. It's pretty much only just in the Overweight category and I dont think should be used in isolation as a tool.

Technically she is right - the BMI means overweight, and following a healthy diet when pregnant is also fine.

But you dont actually have to do anything here, if you feel you lead a healthy lifestyle.

Did you completely miss the point about muscle mass?

No, I can read thank you. I said the OP clearly follows an active and healthy lifestyle so doesnt actually need to do anything with the MWs comments.

But I also pointed out, in general terms, that following a healthy diet is perfectly fine when pregnant and overweight.

A BMI graph is a load of rubbish it's not accurate and doesn't factor in things like muscle mass. Most medical professionals will say its a tool but isn't a accurate reflection.
It's also not accurate in any way shape or form. The o ly way to accurately measure BMI is by dunking people in a tank and using muscle mass but obviously this costs money compared to let's divide your weight by your height!

Ignore the midwife your not overweight! As long as your eating a balanced diet as much as possible and exercising (sounds like you are) then there is no issue!

Ignore your midwife on this one. As you are fit and have good muscles BMI doesn’t work for you. Just carry on as you are, if it becomes an issue change midwives.

My DH is always in the very over weight category, he is a rugby build, neck is 19 inches, legs and arms big muscles, broad chest. He works out 6 days a week and is very fit. I on the other hand am all wobbly tummy, very soft, handfuls of blubber but never go over 25 on the BMI so technically am fine. I am so not fine. Unfortunately health professionals are a bit hit and miss.

Hope you enjoy your pregnancy.

Some midwives are an absolute law unto themselves. Even if you were overweight, the advice isn’t to diet. It’s to eat healthily and exercise. A bmi of 26 is borderline anyway.

www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/existing-health-conditions/overweight/

I would ask for a different midwife. What an idiot.

I would have eaten the midwife

Tell her to fuck off. Seriously. And refuse to be weighed again - you are well within your rights to do so

I would ask for a change of midwife and list this as the reason why.

Unacceptable to have to receive people's personal baggage/opinions instead of NHS approved medical/scientific/policy guidance.

@coffy11

Ignore her. BMI means nothing.

That's not true.

I have never heard any other human being spout as much claptrap as many midwives. There are some hidden gems but they manage to remain well hidden.

That is ridiculous!! BMI is only one tool a health professional should use to indicate if someone is under/ over weight. I'm also pregnant and was with my GP last week. I asked her about weight . And said "My BMI is slightly over (also 26) starting out in pregnancy is that ok" she looked at me and said "BMI is only a starting guide, you are clearly not overweight"
Don't mind that midwife. By the sound of it you are very fit and healthy

BMI is so hit and miss!! Can't be taken by itself soley to determine someone's health or lack, there-of.

JFC thats terrible advice, you couldn't safely do your job if you were unfit.

@Scottishskifun

A BMI graph is a load of rubbish it's not accurate and doesn't factor in things like muscle mass. Most medical professionals will say its a tool but isn't a accurate reflection. It's also not accurate in any way shape or form. The o ly way to accurately measure BMI is by dunking people in a tank and using muscle mass but obviously this costs money compared to let's divide your weight by your height!

Ignore the midwife your not overweight! As long as your eating a balanced diet as much as possible and exercising (sounds like you are) then there is no issue!

Unless the OP is an olympic gymnast or weight lifter, the range for a healthy BMI already does take into account muscle mass and differences in frame etc.

If people want to explain away them being overweight with the muscle mass argument, then that's their choice but it is unlikely to ne true. It is likely that the OP is overweight.

Did the midwife actually tell you to lose weight, or just to try and eat more healthily?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

There is nothing wrong with following a sensible weight loss plan if required when pregnant. I'm not particularly a fan of the Slimming World method, but I think it's been established as suitable if overweight and pregnant.

However if you already eat sensibly and exercise, then I wouldn't pay any real attention to a BMI of 26. It's pretty much only just in the Overweight category and I dont think should be used in isolation as a tool.

Technically she is right - the BMI means overweight, and following a healthy diet when pregnant is also fine.

But you dont actually have to do anything here, if you feel you lead a healthy lifestyle.

I personally think that pregnancy is the last time when you want to loose weight. And that's even before you have the discussion about BMI and whether it's relevant to the OP or not.

I had a booking BMI of 35 and not once was I told to lose weight, she did mention that i had a high BMI and the risks of that but apart from that 🤷🏻‍♀️ My BMI is 38 now and I’m 39 weeks so 😂

I’d request a new midwife...🤨

BMI is a useful tool, but it needs to be applied with some common sense. A BMI of 26 in someone who is clearly fit is not something I would be concerned about. I would just ignore your midwife on this one op. Of course eating healthily is a good idea but I wouldn’t focus on losing weight.

I personally think that pregnancy is the last time when you want to loose weight.

You don’t really need to “personally think” anything. There is plenty of actual medical advice from the nhs and other reputable sources saying not to diet in pregnancy. Heathy eating and staying active are good things.

Also telling a pregnant woman to loose weiht with no proper intae regarding PREVIOUS eatng disorder etc... is asking for trouble tbh.

No one has the same idea of what 'eating healthily' means. The MW hasn't actually quantified what she meant by that. I am amazed that they think it's OK to say think like this tbh. Because it can be actually quite dangerous.