SO ANGRY!! Just been told I'm so fat I can't give birth at home.

[ruthmollymummy]

And I'd like to start by admitting that I am overweight but not by loads. I am 6 feet tall, broad and wear size 18 clothes. BMI is 33 (although I think BMI is a big pile of twaddle as far as evaluating health)

So am I really so fat that its dangerous for me to give birth without medical supervision over and above a midwife!? I'm only 22, second child and pretty darn healthy I think.

Please tell me there surely can't be a law like this????

You can give birth wherever you choose. They can make recommendations, but they can't make decisions for you.

and do they have to give me the support of a midwife?

Yes.

See here for info. You may have to write to your local head of midwifery and say 'I understand the risks but I will be choosing a homebirth'. They are obliged to provide you with a midwife.

There may also be a local HB support group near you - try googling, or local NCT may be able to point you in right direction.

How was your first birth?

First birth can't really be used as a comparison as I had to be induced two weeks early. Had antibody problems which are not a problem whatsoever this time around because this baby and I are the same blood type. Did give birth vaginally with no other complications though.

was 12 years ago but i was and still am! i had my dd at home. only reason they thought i woudnt be able to was if i had had gest diabitis (bad speller) go back and demand a home birth. most amazing thing i have ever done.

you have the right to a homebirth and they must support you. get in contacts iwht AIMS if they get arsey, they suported me when I wanted a homebirth after 3 sections.

second show of hands advice - know two people who were also advised against (for medical reasons)and appealed this way

I'm just a bit shocked I guess, she just wanted to find a reason to say no I think and that was the only one she could think of. It would be lovely not to have to fight for it. humph

WTF?!? I was told one midwife, while in labour, that there was no point in her trying to listen to baby's heartbeat because "your size would make it impossible for me to hear anything" I'm 5'8 and a size 18

What rubbish. Inform yourself of the extra risks attached to raised BMI, if any. Make sure you are comfortable and go for it. They have to support you in your decision and send you a midwife. Good page on the homebirth.org webiste on this.

Where are you, RuthMolly? Is she your only midwife or are you likely to see others?

I was thinking size 18 and 6 foot tall doesn't sound very overweight, so had a nose at your profile, and you don't look overweight on that photo.

I hope you get your homebirth. I recently had a homebirth, and refused to be weighed throughout the pregnancy.

My MW told me not to stress about my weight when I was pg with ds though I am now heavier than I was than before I was pg with ds, so am now trying to lose weight before dh and I try for number 2.
I'd like a HB, and it seems from here that weight might not necessarily be an obstacle to a home birth then. I was a bit worried that it would be for me!

Ooh that bottom pic of your dd is just lovely.

aims

these people gave me pro forma letters etc when refused my HB (not due to weight, due to other crud reasons. I had an excellent hb- whats more I would have had regarless as it was so rapid!

I attended the home birth of a friend a few years ago, she was well on her way to being a size 30.

SHe lived on a busy coastal route and was advised not to have a hB if she whent into labour on the bank holiday weekend, because she was simply physically too large to be taken in the air ambulance and that road is always blocked.

thank you show of hands! I think she's gorgeous but I am biased!

Right I now feel ready for when she comes to the house to see me and DH. Unfortunately she is the only MW in my area.

Just looked at your profile pics. WTF is she talking about, you don't even look vaguely obese!

Haha stalightMcKenzie! I could just sit on her till she says its ok!

ruthmollymummy- can't help you, but you look gorgeous in your pic and not at all fat. BMI bollocks. Size 18- not surprised!! Bet you have well proportioned shoulders, ribs, hips to your height and thus need bigger clothes, besides, it depends where you shop, the more ridiculoudly designer and hghe price, the bigger the sizes. Topshop/New Look? Size 8 fits a 6 year old. My BF is 6 ft 1 a size 16 to 18 and a police officer and my god can she run.

You look pretty normal to me too - and agree that BMI is sometimes a bit . It has DH down as clinically obsese and he certainly isn't that!