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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Bmi 47 at booking- worried about giving birth

35 replies

Disneymad1990 · 22/09/2023 19:25

Hi- just looking for some sucessful stories of natural birth with a bmi over 40.
Im 9 weeks pregnant- had a mc at 5 weeks in january so quite anxious- had a bleed at 6 weeks so had a early scan and saw a heartbeat- thank god.
Had my booking appointment with midwife this week- and after googling and reading lots 🙈 i was under the impression that with my BMI so high- i would be forced by conaultant to have a c- section
I mentioned this to the midwife and she was kind of shocked that i though that and said thats not always the case.
I had kinda always thought id have a c section and no other option- now that may not be the case- just wandering if anyone has a high bmi and a sucessful vaginal delivery -
Understand people may find this hard to talk about so sorry if its not ok to ask.

OP posts:
Disneymad1990 · 08/11/2023 16:52

Dyra · 08/11/2023 12:06

Glad your results came back low risk! I felt my first at around 17 weeks. Even earlier with my second, even though I was fatter. BMI was high 30's at booking, definitely into the 40's at birth

Work in obstetrics. We see women of all shapes and sizes for all reasons having caesarean section. But never because they've been told they have to have a C-section because of their BMI.

Thanks for your reply- im glad my results came back low risk aswell-

Iv seen a consultant today who said i wouldnt be made to have a c section- just have to go with whats suits at the time i think 😊

OP posts:
Disneymad1990 · 08/11/2023 16:53

Astonishing · 08/11/2023 03:31

Probably about 22 weeks with my first, 17 with my second. Also to add further reassurance, I had my second baby on Friday (hence the time of this post) totally uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery with no intervention, tears or stitches.

Aww congratulations!
Thats good to hear you had a good birth 😊
I cant wait to feel the baby. Xx

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Froooty · 08/11/2023 17:24

Your birth plan will be (1) bespoke to YOU and (2) decided primarily by YOU. There's not a rule that says "high BMI means we do X", there's more like, "This person has high BMI plus x, y, z so altogether this is the consultant's opinion on the best way forward" or "This person has high BMI but there are no other issues so X is a realistic option for them".

You have the right to say no to everything they suggest. You have the right to ask why. You may, or may not, have other risk factors, but they are only risk factors and not concrete reasons for anything. For everything you should use your BRAIN

Benefit (what is the benefit to me, what is the benefit to baby)
Risk (risk to me if I go ahead, risk to baby)
Alternatives (what else could I do instead, what can I do to reduce my own risks)
Intuition (does this feel like the right decision)
Nothing (what happens if I do nothing and just wait and see)

In my case I am just under 30 BMI (or, I was below it at booking) but am also of advanced maternal age and also classed as IVF as this is a donor embryo. This collection means there's a host of things "more likely" to happen like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, etc. In the beginning the first consultant was an absolute cow and completely dismissive everything what I wanted, I moaned to the midwife at my next appointment and she completely backed MY decisions up, helped me educate myself to make an INFORMED decision, and made it clear that actually? I have no risk factors that are significant at all except for my age. Everything else is only a statistic and they have not happened in my case.

You will probably find this is the case. Every time they say "high risk" ask them what the ACTUAL risk is (for example if you're 5% higher chance of something, that's a 95% chance it won't happen, so you then think about whether the "risk" option is a real problem for you, and if not, you can choose to ignore it).

As for weight as others noted it's not recommended to go on drastic weight loss BUT maintaining your weight might be appropriate - which then equals a 9-12kg loss because that's what baby, uterus, boobs weigh etc. Ask if they will refer you to a dietician. You will find late pregnancy tough going while on the heavier side (I completely misjudged it! but you have more time left than me) and increasing your fitness is likely to make it easier, including the birth.

Jellybean85 · 08/11/2023 17:38

My sister did she recommends this
Lady to everyone who's in the larger side and pregnant

Bmi 47 at booking- worried about giving birth
pearldiamond · 08/11/2023 17:57

Having a cs would be worse with a high bmi because of the risk of wound infection and anaesthetic problems. Why did you even think this is what would be suggested to you?

Disneymad1990 · 09/11/2023 08:46

Froooty · 08/11/2023 17:24

Your birth plan will be (1) bespoke to YOU and (2) decided primarily by YOU. There's not a rule that says "high BMI means we do X", there's more like, "This person has high BMI plus x, y, z so altogether this is the consultant's opinion on the best way forward" or "This person has high BMI but there are no other issues so X is a realistic option for them".

You have the right to say no to everything they suggest. You have the right to ask why. You may, or may not, have other risk factors, but they are only risk factors and not concrete reasons for anything. For everything you should use your BRAIN

Benefit (what is the benefit to me, what is the benefit to baby)
Risk (risk to me if I go ahead, risk to baby)
Alternatives (what else could I do instead, what can I do to reduce my own risks)
Intuition (does this feel like the right decision)
Nothing (what happens if I do nothing and just wait and see)

In my case I am just under 30 BMI (or, I was below it at booking) but am also of advanced maternal age and also classed as IVF as this is a donor embryo. This collection means there's a host of things "more likely" to happen like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, etc. In the beginning the first consultant was an absolute cow and completely dismissive everything what I wanted, I moaned to the midwife at my next appointment and she completely backed MY decisions up, helped me educate myself to make an INFORMED decision, and made it clear that actually? I have no risk factors that are significant at all except for my age. Everything else is only a statistic and they have not happened in my case.

You will probably find this is the case. Every time they say "high risk" ask them what the ACTUAL risk is (for example if you're 5% higher chance of something, that's a 95% chance it won't happen, so you then think about whether the "risk" option is a real problem for you, and if not, you can choose to ignore it).

As for weight as others noted it's not recommended to go on drastic weight loss BUT maintaining your weight might be appropriate - which then equals a 9-12kg loss because that's what baby, uterus, boobs weigh etc. Ask if they will refer you to a dietician. You will find late pregnancy tough going while on the heavier side (I completely misjudged it! but you have more time left than me) and increasing your fitness is likely to make it easier, including the birth.

Thank you for your message- i will be making sure i make the right choices for me 😊 and of course the little one.

OP posts:
Disneymad1990 · 09/11/2023 08:48

pearldiamond · 08/11/2023 17:57

Having a cs would be worse with a high bmi because of the risk of wound infection and anaesthetic problems. Why did you even think this is what would be suggested to you?

Everything i have read- says if you have a bmi over 40 at booking you should have a c section- maybe i have been reading in the wrong places. 🙈

OP posts:
Prettypaisleyslippers · 09/11/2023 09:14

I lost weight in pregnancy, found that I was more measured and more considered about what I ate and did regular exercise. Might be a thought? Also natural birth

Dyra · 09/11/2023 09:27

Are they UK based sources? Would you be willing to link a couple?

Disneymad1990 · 09/11/2023 14:44

Dyra · 09/11/2023 09:27

Are they UK based sources? Would you be willing to link a couple?

I dont have any links- it may not have been uk based 🤦‍♀️🙈 some were forums and podcasts- nothing from nhs-

Think i just felt horribly guilty for getting pregnant at this bmi-
I lost 4 stone whilst trying, it wasnt enought but i didnt think it would happen 🙈
So i started searching for high bmi pregnanacys and lots of people said they were told by consultant they had to have a c section.

I think i do need to stop looking

Just be as healthy as i can- eat right and stay fit and hope that its all ok-
So far blood pressure is good and all bloods are good and midwife seems happy.

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