Question for pregnant ladies with high BMI

[Mellowyellow22]

Hi

My BMI was 40 when I became pregnant, I am now 22 weeks and have only gained 2lbs so far.

I found out this morning that once I have had my baby I will need to have an operation on my stomach due to an unconnected matter.
I am quite concerned as it will have to be done sone after delivery and my tummy is where I carried most of my weight pre pregnancy.

I have seen posts where people with high BMIs have mentioned seeing nutritionalists, I wondered whether these were private nutritionalists or whether you had been refered through the NHS and if NHS how high a BMI do you have to have to be referred (if you don't mind telling me).

I would also be interested to hear from anyone who has successfully lost weight throughout pregnancy.

I tried to lose weight before conceiving without much success, but I have 4 months left untill the baby is due and hope that a combination of wanting what is best for the baby and operation fear will give me the motivation to at least lose some weight or stop me gaining too much throughout the rest of my pregnancy.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Mellow - I can't answer the nutrionalist query, but I do have a friend who lost weight successfully and healthily during pregnancy. She weighed a stone less when the baby was born than she did when getting pregnant! She didn't have morning sickness either. I believe she did either WW or Slim W, coupled with lots of walking and some swimming (although swimming not good for weight loss in general, so she avoided it until the end when she was big and too uncomfortable for other exercise.)

I would be surprised if you didn't get referred to a nutritionist on request regardless of your BMI; I would just ask your doctor.

I lost weight in the first half of my pregnancy through slimming world which I found to be quite flexible...

Then turned into a big lazy who wants to eat everything, so have put it back on now!!

Have you had an appt with the anaesthetist where they measure your neck yet?? The joys of being a fat pregnant lady!!

There are NICE guidelines relating to BMI and pregnancy and I think all women with a BMI over 30 are supposed to be referred to a dietician. However, I think in practice this doesn't happen often but there is nothing to stop you requesting this as it is possible within the NHS.

Agree with scaltini.. my BMI is 30 and everytime I used to visit my old GP (about flu, earache etc) they'd offer to refer me to a nutritionist. Actually a bit annoying, but I would be suprised if it's something you'd have to pay for.

You would have to pay to see a nutritionist as that role is unspecified and nutritionists aren't necessarily qualified, so aren't employed by the NHS. However, you should be able to see a dietician (who is definitely qualified - you can't just set up shop as a dietician like you can as a nutritionist!) on the NHS.