Overweight and vaginal birth

[Wildflower2021]

Hello all,

Sorry I'm guessing this has probably been asked before.

When I had my original weight checked at the start of my prgenany I was 11.3 stones with a bmi of 26.3. Ive recently weighed myself and now im 14 stone 10 pounds and I'm 37 +3. This is my first baby so I've probably overly googled - but I've read all sorts of things about being overweight and vaginal birth and it's got me really worried. Also I read that I shouldn't try to work out my bmi on my current pregnancy weight so I have no idea if I'm 'normal' or not.

Has anyone had a similar experience? And if so did they have a vaginal birth and did the vaginal birth go ok? Im worrying about all sorts of things like shoulder dystocia:(

Xx

I'm 5 foot 3 and weighed 15 stone on booking in. So my BMI was 34.

Vaginal birth. No complications.
Did have an episiotomy but this is because DS was back to back and tried to turn in the birth canal - so came out with face sideways xx

Being seriously overweight can cause complications with ALL kinds of childbirth, not just vaginal delivery. But the weights you describe, particularly as you are late in pregnancy, are not particularly high by common obstetrics standards these days. More than half of pregnant women in the UK are overweight, and in the majority of cases it's not a big issue.

I had a BMI of 31 when I got pregnant with DS1, and 28-ish with DS2. Both times ended up closer to 34-5 by the time they were born. Both straightforward vaginal births with no major complications. I've looked after women with BMIs of 50 and above and although the risks do increase, most of the time it works out ok.

We see ladies much, much, much larger than you. Booking BMI of 26 is quite reasonable, and we understand that you're only going to gain weight in pregnancy. I had booking BMI of 36 when pregnant, and had a regular vaginal birth, with only minor tearing, and fairly minimal blood loss.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the sharing of wisdom! :)

I have a BMI of 48 so very high, consultant happy to go for a vaginal birth. Had an emergency c section in the end but absolutely no problems, scar healed perfectly and was discharged the next day.

My consultant told me a woman with a bmi of 58, had a successful vaginal birth just prior to my induction and all had gone well.

My BMI at my booking appointment was low 30s, I think 32 or 33? I had one appointment with the specialist "obesity midwife" (lol) who said she wasn't sure why I'd been sent to see her as she usually looks after women with a BMI of 40+ AND serious health issues. There was never any suggestion that my weight would impact giving birth. I had a fairly quick & mostly straightforward labour, first at home and then in the pool in the birth centre. The last hour ish was very stressful as DS's heartbeat started going wonky and we got rushed across to labour ward for a forceps delivery... but he was totally fine once he was out and there's no reason to suspect that was related to my weight in any way. I'm sure you'll be fine OP now stop googling!!