Anyone had a waterbirth with a BMI of over 30?

[opalfruity]

I've just been told that I have to be referred to the consultant as waterbirths are only "allowed" for women who have a BMI of 30 or under. My recorded BMI is 31, and this is not based on my pre pregnancy weight anyway but my weight at the booking in appointment (when I had already gained nearly 2 stone due to having to stuff my face every 5 minutes to ward off morning sickness. My overall weight gain now is 2 and a half stone, which surely isn't that unusual?).

I'm planning on having a home birth anyway and was more prepared for having to fight for this than for a water birth because of some arbitary rule which is now really stressing me out. I can understand that for practical reasons you need to be able to get out of the pool if there are problems but I'm still fit and active and fell walking at 33 weeks.

First baby and used to being a good girl I suppose! I've been kicking myself ever since.

The forgery is something that hadn't even occured to me! I might have to have that as a back up measure if the consultant doesn't see my point of view.

Yes, it was when the CMW came round today with all the paperwork for the homebirth booking that she casually dropped this bombshell. It was absolutely mortifying to be basically told "you're too fat to have the birth you want" - when I told her I thought it was a ridiculous rule considering my overall weight gain etc. that's when she said she'd have to refer me to the consultant for permission.

Ah Starlight, thank you for the words of encouragement. It really helps

Do not worry about it opalfruity - I am planning my 3rd homebirth and no one has ever mentioned that it is an issue and even though i haven't ventured bear a pool i personally cannot see why it is a deal breaker - i thought the bMI number was based on pre pregnancy weight anyway??

Take them to task over it - personally I think it is an arbitary rule and should be challenged.