High BMI and labour

[photographerlady]

Hi, I still have a couple months left til my first little one is here but I am wandering if my trust is just being nice about my high bmi. It's over 30 but my midwife or day assessment hasn't said anything to me about it. I went in for stomach pains and there was no mention even by the doctor.

I was wondering if this happens, I mean in the sense because a pregnancy is going ok, no high blood pressure or massive weight gain will they just keep you low risk with no surprises.

I think my fear is that as my last MW appointments happen someone's going to just bombshell me and go back on all the things we discussed like me having a waterbirth, active child birth etc. I guess you never know what the labour MWs are like. Worth me grilling Day Assessment at my next hospital appointment. My elephant in the room... cheesy joke I know.

They generally only worry if you're over 35 and even then, so long as there are no other problems they just let you get on with it. At 30 you shouldn't have any trouble.

Hi, I'm worried about this too. It's only early days for me, but I'm adamant on an active labour and water birth. My BMI is 33, but at just 5' exactly, it's pretty hard for me to stay within the desired range. Adding PCOS to the mix and it's a nightmare. I'd never even realised I might not get the birth I request until I saw a thread on here earlier today.
Hope all goes well for you - looks promising so far x

My experience is the same as what sillyoldfool said - mine was 30 with both pregnancies and each time they said its fine and not a problem - it's when it's over 35 that they may get more involved. So please don't worry - its fine!

Thanks ladies and Canyougetdownplease I will keep you updated as my 31 wk appointment is coming up but it's at hospital to see my thyroid specialist. I get to see the midwife in charge there so might have a bit of a heart to heart with her as she mainly works on the labour ward.

It all really depends on how far over 30 it is. My booking in BMI was 31.8 and nothing has ever been mentioned about it. In fact I asked my midwife about my weight gain a few appointments ago and was upset about the fact that I'd gained 2 stone at 25 weeks (am now 37 and have gained another stone) and she just said that's absolutely fine and she's not concerned about my gain. I also asked about a water birth at my last appointment and was told that the cut off for my area was a BMI of 35. Any higher and you're considered higher risk and it's not doable.

Good luck with everything.

In My area it's 30 so it's worth asking. At booking I was dead on 30 and have been referred to consultant care. I will still be insisting on an active birth but not sure if they will let me get in the pool

Chuckaluck, check out the NICE guidance. It recommends an individual assessment of birth plans, which would include a water birth, for women with BMI of 30-34. There should be no blanket policy at your hospital and you should be able to discuss your wishes and plan according to your own circumstances. BMI is a very blunt measure and your overall health and build should be taken into account.

My BMI was spot on 30 at booking in. The only people who comment on my weight are the consultants in the ante natal clinic who constantly refer to me as obese (I'm a size 14). I asked last week about whether I could have a water birth and they said that it would be absolutely fine so it's definitely worth checking.