High BMI = no birth pool? Anyone have experience with this?

[YanknCock]

I asked the midwife today about using a birth pool when I'm in labour. I'd seen a leaflet about the birth pools at the hospital, and all it said was you couldn't use it if you were 'high risk'.

My high BMI has triggered a lot of stuff, including my being assessed as 'high risk'. I am fairly healthy otherwise, blood pressure is absolutely fine, no gestational diabetes.

This particular midwife said at our hospital they would exclude me from using the pool due to my BMI. But....she said I should still ask, as some midwives were more relaxed about it. This particular midwife indicated she would have no problem with me using the pool.

So, larger ladies, if you gave birth in an NHS hospital, were you allowed to use the pool if you asked?

Depends what your BMI is. In our unit women whose BMI is over 35 are technically not suitable for midwifery care however, it is a woman's right to have whatever birth she wishes, but there are increased risks with higher risk pregnancies.

As long as you can demonstrate that you can climb out of the pool without difficulty should a problem arise then it should not be an issue.

The pool can be very relaxing for women with high BMI due to the buoyancy of the water.

There can however be difficulties listening into the baby's heart rate sometimes when women have a high BMI. In that circumstance it is easier to monitor the heart rate with a fetal scalp electrode - a small wire that attached to the baby's head. You cannot do that in the pool.

It really isn't a straight forward no.

Hi Yank,

It is possible and the best way to go about is to write to the Supervisor of Midwives for your area saying that you've been told you won't be able to use the pool because of your bmi. Ask to see a written copy of their policy covering this and tell her you would like to use the pool regardless.

(Often if you ask for a copy of the policy you'll find that it's not "policy" as such)

If you still find your coming up against them then I'd suggest speaking directly to the Supervisor and saying that if they won't allow you to use the pool then you'd prefer a home water birth (it's your right to have a homebirth, your home so your choice whether to be in a pool and generally the 'threat' doing it anyway but at home is enough to make them change their guidelines for you )

thanks crafty, but I wouldn't get very far threatening to have a home birth, as I've already been told I can't have one of those either! I'm sort of ok with that, being that it's my first and I don't know what to expect at all. But I do think I will ask to see an official policy just so I know for myself what it says, and will keep mentioning that I want it at my appointments.

thanks mears for the insight into your unit's practice. My BMI is 41 , am about a size 22 when not pregnant. I have SPD, so climbing in and out might be a problem depending on how high the sides are--hadn't thought of that. I get in and out of the bath ok (just in a weird looking way!) so maybe I could do it?

The SPD is actually one of the reasons I think the pool would be so helpful--it would take some of the pressure off my pelvis!

My BMI was about 38 (I think) when I was pregnant with dd. I had a waterbirth in hospital. Twas bloody marvellous!

craftyncloth is correct - you can insist on a homebirth and your choice must be respected. However I don't think that is the route to go. The supervisor of midwives is there to support you in your choice wherever you give birth so he/she could help with regards to using the pool.

I would suggest though that you must try getting in and out of the pool prior to labour starting. Usually a pool has portable steps to help you climb in. The biggest concern with the pool is getting a woman out in an emergency. What if the baby's heart rate was very slow and there were real problems in getting you out?

I support having women in the pool under most circumstances but it needs discussion.

You could arrange a visit to the labour ward too to discuss it with the labour ward manager.

At the end of the day, you cannot be 'not allowed'. You are advised of the risks and you make your choice.