Private Delivery for very overweight mom-to-be

[lotte82]

Hi all
I'm at the beginning of my pregnancy (6 weeks!) and investigating care options. I have decided to go for private delivery but am not sure which hospital to go for. I'm quite overweight (BMI around 39 as we speak) but have been eating healthily, slowly losing weight and exercising regularly for past year. I live quite close to Watford General - but am not sure that they can deal with complications that might arise (which are more likely as I'm so overweight).

I have been recommended UCH but am not clear about private delivery options there - going to the Portland sounds like not a great idea - again as I doubt their care options if something goes wrong.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Beril

Hi,

Couldn't just read and run, I have the same BMI as you but I'm further on at 28 weeks, just wanted to say that I have had a very positive experience with my local NHS hospital, which is in Kent.

Due to my BMI I have had a lot of additional support and really feel like I am being cared for properly, I am under consultant care and she has been very encouraging that I can have a natural birth without any complication. In addition I have also an assessment by an anaesthetist so they can see how easy it would be to give me an epidural (it could be tricky, so if labour isn't progressing well I know I ask for an epidural early). The NHS in my area also run a support group for overweight mums which gave some good advice too.

I'm addition I have also ensured that I don't eat for two, and I've kept my diet really healthy plus I'm also going swimming a couple of times a week and im doing pregnancy yoga which has been invaluable in terms of keeping me flexible and helping me to believe that my body can give birth.

Overall I would say give the nhs a chance as there are support networks for those of us who are bigger, i would say that you are better off spending the money it would cost you giving birth at the Portland on buying yourself some amazing things for your baby.

HTH to reassure you a bit, feel free to pm me if you want to talk further.

Hi Berril,

Congrats on your pregnancy

The private sector isn't well equiped to deal with medical emergencies, so if your pregnancy is high risk there is a strong chance a private provider may not be able to offer the care you need.

Often private providers will transfer medical emergencies to NHS hospitals via ambulance.

Just worth considering this when you're looking at options, as the NHS may well be the safest place for you.

x

I have a similar bmi (as well as being an over 40 mum plus other complications) and the care I received from the nhs was fabulous.
Gestational diabetes is, I think, the main worry but you sound like you're following a sensible diet.

And I'd definitely recommend swimming or just floating about in the pool, especially later on in your pregnancy. Bliss!

Can I point you at this site? www.wellroundedmama.blogspot.co.uk/
(Very) American site for lots of positive larger mum info.

Oh and I had NO complications in my pregnancy that were weight related so it's not a given that you will have any.

Congratulations and good luck!

I'm giving birth at Watford General. One of my friends works there too and is looking to give birth there too once she gets pregnant. She's overweight and has an auto-immune disease so would be quite high risk when she gives birth.

It's a hospital with one of the biggest maternity services in the region. I think UCH is good - I had to go there for a heart issue last year. However this far (22 weeks) Watford have been very good. I had some complications and they immediately did tests etc. I got sent through to the head of gynaecology and he was very professional and caring. Tried to put me at ease straight away. Midwifes and other staff I've seen there have also been very good.

Obviously I haven't given birth yet but I'm confident with them. They do get busy and I've heard that the postnatal ward isn't great, but that they are very good during the actual birth, especially if complications arise.

I agree with previous posters that the private sector is not as well equipped to deal with emergencies. Can you go not ask if you can get a tour at Watford General? Or talk to someone there about your concerns?

wow I dint realize I had so many respnses, I thought I'd get emails or something. newbie mumsnetter!
thanks all for responses. I've basically decided to delay decision-making until later. got myself transferred to UCH for my 12 week scan, which is in late August. want to go in and check it out and find out if delivery is nhs what kind of postnatal care support they have.
misshc great suggestion. i hadnt thought of that. I think I might go and tour watford and see what it's like and try to compare to uch

carameldecaflatte great to hear no weight related complications. i got so scared with everyone telling me i'm highrisk that i forget to keep in mind that most likely i'll be OK!

ap79 three thanks for respnses. i read not so great things about the nhs all the time in the news and ithink i'm influenced by that a little bit. mostly the diff seems to be in post-natal care and support though?