Worried about giving birth high bmi.

NovRainbow5 · 2021-10-13T10:12:21+00:00

Hi all, Does anyone have any positive birth stories about giving birth with a bmi of 40 or higher? I’m consultant led because of my weight and I’ve got an appointment with my consultant on Monday so will ask questions then. But I’m just wondering if anyone was induced early because of their bmi alone or had a water birth? I understand that there are higher risks when giving birth with a higher bmi so please don’t feel the need to tell me.

Gavinandstacey32 · 13/10/2021 11:14

Hi! My bmi is 36 so not 40 however pretty close. I’ve had two quick easy births with no problems no epidurals or interventions. Honestly bmi Is just a number don’t let it stress you!

Original poster

NovRainbow5 · 13/10/2021 11:21

@Gavinandstacey32 that’s exactly what I needed to hear thank you ♥️

OP posts:

Gavinandstacey32 · 13/10/2021 11:35

Bmi is a random number made up by a French man. It’s old fashioned and pointless my midwife said that to me. Our weights obviously aren’t ideal but it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a pregnancy with problems or a labour with issues!! I never got gestational diabetes either x

Original poster

NovRainbow5 · 13/10/2021 11:38

@Gavinandstacey32 no gestation diabetes here either. I’ve got my final weigh in tomorrow and I’m dreading it because I’ve just weighed and I’ve put on nearly 2 and a half stone since my weigh in at 12 weeks. But i suppose there’s nothing I can do about it now

OP posts:

Gavinandstacey32 · 13/10/2021 11:42

Ignore it!! You’re growing a human for fuck sake you’re allowed to put weight on!!!! Dooo not let it stress you!!! You’ll loose a stone of that almost instantly. Don’t let it taint your pregnancy. And like you say nothing you can do now! Xx

loveisanopensore · 13/10/2021 11:47

I have a high BMI and had two natural births, no gestational diabetes and stayed within the recommended weight gain.
Wasn't able to opt for a water birth or use the birthing centre as would have been my preference.
First pregnancy I was referred to a dietitian but declined on the second pregnancy.
The midwives put me into consultant led care both times but I saw the consultant once on each pregnancy as I had no complications.
On my second pregnancy they did do a scan every 2 weeks to check growth. To be honest I think this was a massive waste of time and resources.

The science behind BMI is pretty flawed.

ProudMaiasaura · 13/10/2021 12:00

My BMI was in excess of 41 on my first. She needed to be induced because I was very overdue and delivered by emergency section because she literally wedged her hip into my cervix and they couldn't safely turn her.

Post briefing confirmed neither was anything to do with the risk factors associated with being overweight.

My c-section recovery was text book. No infections, no keloid scarring and I was moving normally within 3 days (minus the lifting that you're not meant to do).

Even if things go sideways, being overweight doesn't mean you have the worst outcomes in all scenarios.

PineappleSun · 13/10/2021 13:27

I gave birth three weeks ago, BMI over 40. Induced, then I was in the pool for early labour and had a vaginal delivery, no instruments or complications. My BMI was not mentioned at all throughout and I was not treated differently because of it, try not to worry :)

Bunny2607 · 13/10/2021 20:20

Following this thread!
I’m 23 weeks with 2nd baby and high bmi, it’s 48 and like you i’m worried sick as it’s thrown at you from day 1 about all the risks isn’t it :-( like we need telling me weigh more than we should!!

KHR1 · 14/10/2021 21:34

DC1 my bmi was 38 at 36weeks. I was only induced due to being overdue. They managed an epidural just fine, only issue was being able to monitor baby as they couldn't get good contact (needed continuous monitoring due to meconium liquor and being on the drip) so I had to lie still on the bed.
DC2 my bmi was 40 and it wasn't mentioned once in labour suite. Monitoring was fine, I was able to move (clip was put on baby's head to get heart rate).
Both times I needed blood thinning injections for 10 days postnatally. At my hospital trust you aren't allowed in the pool if your bmi is over 35.

SmellyOldOwls · 15/10/2021 16:46

My BMI was in the 40s too when I gave birth, it's a high risk birth so plenty of monitoring which rules out the birth pool, they told me they'd put the monitor on the babies head? But I ended up with a section (induction didn't work) so I can't say how that would go. CS was fine but they made me take clexane for 6 weeks after (I'm also over 35)

Original poster

NovRainbow5 · 15/10/2021 16:52

Thank you for sharing your experiences, I am on clexane anyway due to recurrent losses. I’ve got an appointment with my consultant Monday so I will update then. My midwife has told me that they can advise but they can’t say I’m not able to do anything if I feel l want to. However I’m not stupid- if they were to say the risk of a pool birth was too high I’d be absolutely fine with that.

OP posts:

caz198917 · 15/10/2021 17:15

All I hear is about these 'risks' but what are the actual risks? I'm on my 2nd pregnancy, only 7 weeks along so not seen a midwife yet. Bmi of around 45 so high! My first labour was induced as overdue and resulted in a c section but nothing weight related. I know they say high risk but no ones actually told me what these risks are?

JinxandBinx · 15/10/2021 17:34

Blood clots, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, needing an induction or Caesarean section, anaesthetic problems and wound infections are the most common. But EVERYONE who is pregnant is at risk of these, a higher BMI means that your chances of having one of these are higher than if you had a BMI of under 25

alansjsnlpo · 15/10/2021 17:39

I had a higher BMI (35) with my second pregnancy and was warned I may not be able to use the pool. There was a weight limit so they could safely lift you out if it was needed in an emergency. However although my BMI is high I'm very short so don't actually weigh that much so I could have used it fine. As it turned out I couldn't use the pool due to other reasons anyway.

SmellyOldOwls · 16/10/2021 13:47

@caz198917

All I hear is about these 'risks' but what are the actual risks? I'm on my 2nd pregnancy, only 7 weeks along so not seen a midwife yet. Bmi of around 45 so high! My first labour was induced as overdue and resulted in a c section but nothing weight related. I know they say high risk but no ones actually told me what these risks are?

Adding to the posters list above there are risks to the baby, particularly if you get GD your baby might grow too big and shoulder dystocia is a big problem. I was left to it for most of my pregnancy until I got GD and then it all became quite intense with very frequent communication with the clinic, appointments and scans and of course they don't let you get too far with GD because it can damage the placenta which of course is harmful to the baby.

HopeClearwater · 16/10/2021 13:55

@Gavinandstacey32

It is not a random number 🙄 Basically it shows you if you are too heavy or too light for your height. You know perfectly well that being extremely overweight or underweight is bad for your health. Anything else is denial…

naynayisay · 16/10/2021 14:01

My BMI has been at 40 or above 40 for all of my births.

I was induced at 39 weeks with my first but not to do with my weight. The birth was vaginal and textbook. Back to back birth so much more painful and I tore so had to have stitches but generally fine.

Births with second and third resulted in a retained placenta and on the third, a haemorrhage. Not to do with my weight, might I add. All were birthed textbook but the placenta was an issue.

Gavinandstacey32 · 16/10/2021 14:03

@HopeClearwater
It’s actually hugely outdated and lots of specialist and other HCP don’t agree with it. I know exactly what it is ‘supposed’ to show, what I am saying is the information it ‘shows’ is outdated and not hugely accurate or a detailed insight to somebodies health. As I’ve previously said I had two perfectly healthy pregnancies and easy births. I am under 5ft so my BMI will never be good unless I weigh around 7 stone. With size GG breasts (implants) that won’t happen. The original poster started this thread because she wanted others experiences. Not berating over our bmis, we have both had enough of that through pregnancy so please don’t continue that. However I do admit my original post was very blasé but the OP is heavily pregnant she needed reassurance not to be told she needed to loose weight.

Peaflock · 16/10/2021 14:07

I had a high bmi when I have birth, I was told initially that I couldn't use the birthing pool as they didn't have a hoist and a midwife alone wouldn't have been able to assist me out if needed, was really upset at the time but makes sense to be fair- I didn't want to be stuck in there. I also had a PPH which there was a higher chance of due to my weight, but it was well managed by the HCPs and recovery was fine.

dreamsofacres · 16/10/2021 14:19

High BMI with both pregnancies. Had no complications at all. Other than the consultant telling me he wouldn't be able to find my spine if I needed an epidural. Jesus Christ I'm not that big that you can't locate my spine
I had to have growth scans as they said they wouldn't be able to measure my bump.
The birth doula I worked with raised a lot of questions about BMI and risks. I don't think it's properly been looked into. They give you a list of all the conditions you are a higher risk to but don't actually explain why.

Fallagain · 16/10/2021 14:22

@NovRainbow5

Thank you for sharing your experiences, I am on clexane anyway due to recurrent losses. I’ve got an appointment with my consultant Monday so I will update then. My midwife has told me that they can advise but they can’t say I’m not able to do anything if I feel l want to. However I’m not stupid- if they were to say the risk of a pool birth was too high I’d be absolutely fine with that.

Medical staff can’t make you do anything eg have a cannula in during labour but they also don’t give treatment or options if they think it’s not advisable eg pool birth.

EmmaJR1 · 16/10/2021 22:47

My bmi was over 40 and I had 2 seamless pregnancies, labours and deliveries.

One I laboured in water but actually gave birth on a humongous bean bag (6.5 hours) no interventions no tearing, the other I didn't even give them time to run the water , she was born 36 minutes after arriving at hospital but again no intervention and no testing.

I had low bp throughout both pregnancies and no sign of GD or any other pregnancy related issues.

Just eat well, drink lots of water and take gentle exercise. I think the main worry is mobility so hopefully you'll be fine.

Good luck

SmellyOldOwls · 17/10/2021 07:52

[quote Gavinandstacey32]@HopeClearwater
It’s actually hugely outdated and lots of specialist and other HCP don’t agree with it. I know exactly what it is ‘supposed’ to show, what I am saying is the information it ‘shows’ is outdated and not hugely accurate or a detailed insight to somebodies health. As I’ve previously said I had two perfectly healthy pregnancies and easy births. I am under 5ft so my BMI will never be good unless I weigh around 7 stone. With size GG breasts (implants) that won’t happen. The original poster started this thread because she wanted others experiences. Not berating over our bmis, we have both had enough of that through pregnancy so please don’t continue that. However I do admit my original post was very blasé but the OP is heavily pregnant she needed reassurance not to be told she needed to loose weight.[/quote]
You are correct. My midwife told me earlier this year that they were going to stop using BMI. Not sure when or what it will be replaced it.