BMI of 36 - Can I have a water birth?

[Jill72]

I am a curvy girl, 13 weeks and finding that my BMI seems to be excluding me from all sorts of things as far as the NHS are concerned - Yep my weight is my responsibility but I would just like to be treated as an individual rather than a general statistic!!! I am very fit, don't smoke and hardly drink - is it true that I may not be allowed a water birth???

i think you are allowed whatever you want.

The nurses / midwives can ADVISE you, but as I understand, ultimately what you do with your body during labour / birth (and any other time) is up to you.
I guess they can not provide you with a pool room though, even if you ask for one?

If NHS are un-coperative im sure an independant midwife would be supportive in water birth at home if thats what you want

it depends on a hospital and also whether they put you in a high or low risk category...

I'm planning a water birth and my BMI is 33. My weight doesn't seem to be an issue. My MW did say that I couldn't have one if I went into labour before 37 weeks or if I went overdue by a long shot. Also it depends how busy the birthing pools are.

Thanks for replies - I will have to talk to my midwife but just wanted to see other peoples experiences :)

My BMI was about 35 when I had dd. I had a fabulous water birth, in spite of being under the consultant. I was automatically referred to the consultant because of my BMI, but apart from one appointment at about 28 weeks, I never saw any of the consultants. When I gave birth, I only saw midwives until the Dr came to do a baby check on dd and discharge us.

It really depends on how the rest of your pregnancy goes. I had a completely trouble free pregnancy although I was given a fasting glucose test at one point.

I have a similar BMI and haven't been told that I can't use the pool when the time comes (please be soon!) but of course, there are tons of other 'variables' - needing monitoring, being induced, pool not being available, no time etc - I had my hopes set 100% on first birth being in water (at home) but lost it and the disappointment was awful, so trying to be more relaxed this time.

At our hospital if you're in the consultant ward, you're automatically ruled out of the pool option, but I was released back to Midwife led care (after a little bit of a battle) at 37 weeks after a successful (unrelated) ECV

At our hospital you cannot use the birthing pool if you are classed as a high risk pregnancy - i.e. under consultant led care. There are other factors which can prevent the pool being used such as SROM >24hrs and if there is a specific risk of infection etc. It would be worth speaking to your midwife and asking about your hospital policy on water births.

Hi Jill72,

Sorry I can't be of use of the water birth front; as I'm a wose and want as much pain relief as I can possibly get.

But, I also have a BMI of 36 and my midwife said that because my BMI was over 30 I was classed as "at Risk", I said basically I'm fat!! and she just said Yes . Great!! tell me something I didn't know!! .

Sometimes I don't think it's a good thing to tell pregnant women that there fat; we have enough to worry about. It's just a good job I didn't take it to heart and decide to diet, as some women might. I have just eaten healthy(ish) and when I wanted to eat, which has been little but often rather than 3 meals a day.

I was then treated like I needed to be wrapped in cotton wool; having to have extra appointments, shared consultant / midwife care; glucose tests, eating healthy etc, etc, etc. It turns out, my glucose test, blood pressure, urine samples, etc, etc have been all perfect, but because "I'm at risk", I can't use my local Birth Centre in Huddersfield, I MUST go to Calderdale "just in case". Just in case of what exactly!!

Calm xx

remember, the most important thing at the end of all this is a healthy baby.

If you are not low risk for whatever reason I would follow medical advice tbh.

Of course, but it's also important to have the facts about why you may be refused something like water birth due to increased weight?! I can understand if additional monitoring is needed etc due to other complications. And actually, I would have thought, as a larger woman (!) that pain relief may be less necessary in water because of the additional buoyancy, which may well assist baby, plus water can speed up the process.

I've had extra appointments, Glucose tolerance test and shared care, but the lead obsetrician then agreed that, having gone through all of this, as long as things remain the same (and that's the BIG if), she thinks I'll be absolutely fine in our excellent midwifery care - however, consultants are 20 metres away, not 20 minutes.

Hi there, being consultant booked isn't a reason to ban you from the pool. Some women are consultant booked for their age alone, hence this wouldnt be a reason to withold the pool. Ask the hospital to check their guidelines for water birth, a raised BMI might be in the exclusion criteria, but it might be a BMI higher than yours. From a midwives perspective I guess the only issue relating to your size would be to do with evacuating you from the pool in an emergency. Obviously a net and several staff are used to do this so it may not be a problem. good luck. A

Hi there, High BMi here too. My CMW that I booked in with was awful made me feel like a horrendous person for daring to be fat and pregnant. She basically told me I would need to have constant monitoring, no pool and possibly not be suitable for an epidural during labour. All in my first appointment. Scared me stiff. I have since had a relativly unproblematic pregnancy (my EDD is today). I've had SPD, but that isn't related to my BMI.

I changed to the other CMW at my practice who has been so much nicer and supportive. She too thought there may be an issue with using the pool, but contacted the labour ward for me and found there was no restrictions on weight to use it. This was also confirmed and placed in my notes by the consultant at the hospital. My consultant was very angry that my original MW had treated me in the way she had and said my BMI was skewed anyway because I am very short, she had expected to see a much larger lady! Made my day that comment!!

As long as you are healthy and have no underlying issues during pregnancy, you should be able to labour how you wish!

Good luck with everything, at your stage you think you have a long road ahead, but it passes so quickly before you know it you are having a real life baby!!

LisMcA - thank you for your post - I am really sorry to hear about your midwife - isn't this supposed to be a happy event that they should be helping us to enjoy and not stress out over????

I get the impression more and more that you have to be ready to stand your ground and have your say or else you will just get fed a line. I think we all have the right to be assessed individually rather than as general statistics.

Good luck with your birth - perhaps you are all ready at it!!!!!

Hi ladies
I also have a high BMI (38) and am a short arse! Luckily my MW has said that a water birth should not be a problem due to my BMI but I have since found out that I have GD so this may cause a problem although I am determined I will labour in water for as long as possible... I think its really important that you make sure your MW is your advocate and if you do not feel comfortable then you should ask to see a different MW.
Good luck!