BMI to high to use birth centre

[becsparkel]

Just come back from my booking appointment. My midwife was lovely and very enthusiastic about using our local birth centre (Lewisham) but unfortunately my BMI is 1 point over the cut off, at 36. So it seems I can't use the centre, unless I manage to lose weight, which seems unlikely. She's going to chat to the manager there and see what they say but otherwise we'll have to see what the situation is further down the line i.e. if my BMI drops.

I don't want to try to lose weight but will definitely try to eat more healthily... in between bouts of nausea

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm wondering whether the "policy" rules are set in stone or whether we can sweet talk anyone? Really keen on having a water birth.

Thanks.

I have a friend who was morbidly obese at the start of her second pregnancy. She decided to lose weight during the pregnancy in the hope that her baby would be healthier and the labour easier than her first. She followed a special plan on weight watchers which allowed her baby to get all the nutrients she needed and in fact she was about 6lb less at the end of the pregnancy, which actually meant she'd lost loads of weight once the baby was born! It is possible.

You don't say what your weight is but for some large people there are probs with blood pressure and my friend was initially advised not to use birth pool as it may be difficult for staff to help her in and out of pool! Don't just try to eat more healthily, see if you can get one of those diet plans (approved by your MW of course) and show them you really mean it. You've got lots of time.

Why don't you want to lose weight? It's perfectly safe to do so in pregnancy and may actually make the whole pregnancy and birth easier

thanks for your replies. I don't have a problem with losing weight, I just don't want to go on a diet, unless I'm advised to. I've been on various diets for the whole of my 20's (WW included) and they ultimately make me feel crap about myself. I am keen on healthy, balanced eating though and was doing well until the nausea kicked in!:)

If it means having the full choice of where to give birth, then it's definitely worth thinking about though. I guess I was surprised my midwife didn't mention losing weight but will bring it up again at the next app.

thanks