High BMI in pregnancy

[Kimmy1986]

I'm just wondering if anybody has experienced any complications to pregnancy/ childbirth due to a high BMI?

Had my 16 week check up last week and the midwife brought in a consultant to explain all the risks of having a high BMI during pregnancy childbirth.

She basically made me feel like I was actually the fattest person to ever be pregnant, I had tried really hard before I ttc to reduce my weight (lost 2.5stone) but she just made me feel like it was a real problem. My BMI is 34 so I won't be getting any extra appointments or scans which makes me think what was the point in that? And I don't know what she wants me to do about it, I'm still going to my slimming class to stop my weight from getting out of control and am eating healthily still.

Meh. This has turned into more of a moan now, Ha ha! Just upset me a bit though, she made it sound as if I dont care when its something I'm constantly aware of.

I have a high BMI, I was about a 40 with DS1 back in 2000, and a 47 with both DS2 (2006) and DD (2013).

It's not ideal to be overweight, or in my case obese and pregnant and can, of course, cause extra problems and complications. However, I did change consultants during my first pregnancy because my very first consultant was rude and condescending beyond belief.

I think you need to be firm, you are pregnant - there's nothing you can do about it now so you need support and advice - not insults and threats. You do need to be aware of risks, and as you say, you are still going to slimming club - so as long as you're eating healthily and taking care of yourself then there is nothing more you can do. Aqua natal was brilliant btw.

In all my pregnancies I was advised to try not to gain weight and consequently lost weight post-birth with all three.

I was lucky, I had no complications at all - even had a home birth with DS2. However it would be irresponsible of me to say "I was fine, so you will be" because even mothers with a lower BMI can have complications!

If you feel that your consultant was being unfair, or was being "judgy" rather than factual then you can change, same with the midwife. Be honest with them, research the risks and reassure them you are not naive and going into this blindly.

I am having a consultant appointment in the morning because my BMI was 36 at my booking in appointment - I think technically its lower now as I lost weight during this pregnancy.

I don't know many people who've had babies so no advice here. I'm just nervous about tomorrow

I can't answer about the childbirth aspect of your question because I still have 5 weeks to go.

My bmi at my booking in appointment was 40.9 it has since reduced to 36 and I haven't had any complications during the pregnancy.

I've had a very different experience to you with my midwife/consultant. I went to my booking in appointment in a complete panic about my size and what that would mean for my care for the duration of the pregnancy. My midwife has been wonderful in supporting me with things like my desire to have a homebirth and reassuring me that I wouldn't be strapped to a bed and have continual monitoring etc. It was decided that I didn't need any extra scans or appointment either.

Will you be seeing the same midwife or will you see different ones, if you'll be seeing different ones you may find another midwife will have a very different attitude towards you, I hope so anyway.

Something that was mentioned to me by my midwife at my last appointment was that women who have a high bmi get a much harder time from the hcp in general than women who smoke throught out pregnancy, I found that very surprising.

For me it's been the gestational diabetes. It really feels like the midwife I've seen was so expecting me to get if because of my high BMI that she's disappointed I haven't. So beware preconceptions, I'd say.

The judgement is the worst.

My BMI at booking was 47. It is now 40. I have had 3 GTT tests, and my BP is monitored weekly. I have scans every two weeks.

My GTTs? All show me drop to 'fasting' levels post-prandial. My BP - a whopping 105/60! And the bub? Miniature... Long but very skinny. The midwives are fab, the consultant was odd about it. The second consultant cancelled the 4th GTT and has given me 4 weeks between scans! And referred me to physio for SPD and generally be awesome!

My BMI was almost 60 with my first... I dropped to a 51 during pregnancy. I delivered a perfectly formed but small DD 3 days post dates having never had high blood sugars or BP, vaginally in 3 hours, with 3 pushes.

If I wasn't on clexane and therefore a major haemorrhage risk, I'd be demanding a home birth this time despite the line of '40% of women your size need EMCS as they can't push effectively.' Apparently, prior ability means nothing if you're fat!!

I had a high BMI with DD2, (now nearly 6 months old) & a normal BMI with DD1.
All of the risks that they took me thorough with DD2, I was told about with DD1 as well!
I agree with Sunflower, they were definitely disappointed that I didn't get gestational diabetes .
At every appointment after telling me the risks my BMI of 37 posed (I'm a size 18), the MW would say with surprise, you are actually quite healthy aren't you! I swam throughout & always took the stairs!
I had a great pregnancy. (I lost weight in both of my pregnancies) & a brilliant birth, despite being 2 weeks late & induced. Once I was in the hospital my BMI wasn't mentioned.
Also be aware you don't have to do everything you are told. My friend is a MW & said that she'd be happy to be my home birth MW despite my weight.
Good luck .

At booking in my BMI was 31. I had lost just over 2 stone before falling pg, was planning to lose more but I fell the second month off the pill (thought it would take longer) My midwife was fine with me about it but said I would have to go for an early GTT test, which I did and came back fine. She didn't give me nutrition advice or anything as I was on weight watchers so she said I was well informed, which I am.

I'm now 21 weeks and have put on just over a stone and am carrying twins. Midwife said that is a good gain so far and nothing to worry about, but to expect a fair bit more from now on. I am a bit worried about this as I don't want to gain too much, but I am soooooooooooooo hungry its unbelievable. I'm trying to make the right choices but in this heat ice cream is sneaking its way in.