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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Any experiences with pregnancy with a BMI over 30?

19 replies

skyra13 · 04/09/2014 15:01

Exactly that really ladys, I am now 9 weeks pregnant having a good time really no sickness or anything when I went for my first appointment with midwife I was told id have to see some specialist as I'm over weight.

Just wondering if anyone els has had this? what does it evolve also how were your pregnancy's? did they go ok being a larger lady?

Any advice would be good thanks :)

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/09/2014 15:06

Mine was 31. I havent had anything additional except Gestational Diabetes Testing at about 24 weeks.

A friend has a BMI of 36, and has had an extra scan plus some extra tests for her blood pressure. No consultant intervention though.

frankiebuns · 04/09/2014 15:09

Hiya my bmi was 43 with dd who I had 16 days ago I was consultant led tbh it wasn't much different to the 1st time I was pregnant I was normal last time the only thing different was I had a gt test and I was sent to bmi clinic ok I had bp probs this time I had a c section but other than that it was normal. No fuss really

Original poster

skyra13 · 04/09/2014 15:13

Yer i was told I would be consultant led i have a bmi of 37, when did that start for you? my midwife didn't seem to be the most helpful when i asked i ended up having my first appointment early as i was going away and she was away after so had my first appointment at 6 weeks.

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DinoSnores · 04/09/2014 15:24

You might find it helpful to read the RCOG guidelines so you can see what might be suggested as you go along.

www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/management-women-obesity-pregnancy

Are you taking 5mg folic acid instead of the 400mcg that is the usual dose?

Complications do occur at a higher rate the higher the BMI is over the population, but that doesn't mean that you will have any complications. The extra monitoring is to try to reduce the risk of those happening.

Hope all goes well!

KateTheHuman · 04/09/2014 15:26

I'm consultant led because of BMI 38. Only seen her once at week 14. Not due to see her again until after my 28 week scan. All she's done is weigh me, test my urine and blood pressure and book me in for my GTT and first growth scan. :)

KateTheHuman · 04/09/2014 15:27

And I'm just taking the Pregnacare vitamin thingies. Midwife said that was fine. :)

TinyMonkey · 04/09/2014 15:29

I'd already put on half a stone by the time I was booked in at 13 weeks due food aversions, which pushed my BMI to around 40.

Was referred to consultant led care due to BMI and age (40), but after first appt with them they referred me back to midwife led as my bp is fine and I'm otherwise fit, active, and healthy (yes, even with a high BMI).

I was initially very worried about getting GD after an initial fasting blood test showed slightly raised glucose levels, but an early full GTT at 18 weeks came back absolutely fine.

I'm now 26 weeks and haven't really put on much extra weight over and above what I should have, I haven't been eating any more really, bit frustrated at having to do less exercise due to a touch of PGP, but otherwise it's been really easy.

Original poster

skyra13 · 04/09/2014 15:32

My doctor and midwife have not told me i need to be on a higher dose of folic acid. Im sure that would of been advised to me.

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Original poster

skyra13 · 04/09/2014 15:36

I take the Pregnacare vitamins its what i was told to take. I am glad there is not much difference then, and that you ladys are doing well :)

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KateTheHuman · 04/09/2014 15:47

Yeah I'm 23 weeks now and no problems yet because of my size :)

JennyBlueWren · 04/09/2014 16:37

My BMI is over 30 and other than being prescribed extra folic acid my care hasn't been any different -all done by midwives. I had glucose test done with my booking bloods but that's cos of family history of diabetes -doctors always test me for diabetes if they get the chance! BP's been fine though not getting as much exercise due to exhaustion -mw says that's quite normal and to do what I can to stay active.

Buffy81 · 04/09/2014 16:44

All I had was a gtt done at around 28 weeks and I had no problems. Gave birth to a dB 2 weeks ago

CherryLips1980 · 04/09/2014 16:58

My BMI is over 40 - for dd1 (b. last November), I was consultant led which in reality meant I went for my hospital MW appointments and then saw then cons straight afterwards who asked if I was OK. I replied yes, they sent me on my merry way. Had the GTT test, all OK. My BP did raise in the last few weeks of pregnancy and went stratospheric afterwards but I still felt OK. Oh, and I was put on aspirin at my booking in appointment.

This time (7+3), MW has put me on an increased folic acid supplement. I had started aspirin when I got my BFP but she has told me to stop until after 12 weeks. Don't know why and I forgot to ask as DD chose that moment to try and get in her bin. I assume I'll be cons led again but that doesn't bother me.

ohthegoats · 04/09/2014 19:18

My BMI was just over 30. I had the GTT at 23 weeks - think that was the only thing linked to BMI. I've still got the same BMI now though at almost 37 weeks - put on hardly any weight.

DinoSnores · 04/09/2014 19:23

"My doctor and midwife have not told me i need to be on a higher dose of folic acid. Im sure that would of been advised to me."

Any woman with a BMI of over 30 should be taking folic acid 5mg so you should have been advised of this.

See the guidelines I linked to above.

PeppermintInfusion · 04/09/2014 20:03

My bmi is over 30, so I was just told I'd need the gest diabetes test (bmi 33). I think if it's over 35 you need to be consultant-led (where I live anyway). 30-35 it depends how healthy you are otherwise.
Don't worry about it too much, I had myself in a right state about this. before my 1st appt for no reason.

Original poster

skyra13 · 04/09/2014 20:16

Does anyone els take a higher does of Folic acid?

OP posts:

UpUpAndAway123 · 04/09/2014 20:58

My BMI was 30 with first (4 years ago) and was midwife led and now 35 weeks with my 2nd and also midwife led (bmi 34). I did see a registrar (doctor) this time as the first midwife I saw just put me as 'consultant led' which I was a bit naffed off about-was a complete waste of time and just asked them to put me back midwifery. I am now with one 2 one and my pregnancy has been great. Planning a home birth (planned with first but she had other plans). Offered the gtt but declined (own reasons but well informed and my sugars are fine ). It does annoy me that you automatically get classed as 'high risk' with NHS if your BMI is over 30 as in some areas it leads to over medicalisation. BMI is not the best measure of obesity (I am a couple of stone overweight but even when at a normal weight for me my BMI is still 30 so still classed as high risk!). I am fit, healthy and eat well and don't want a label to forgo a normal pregnancy and birth

Marjal12 · 05/09/2014 00:22

First pregnancy I was consultant led, which just meant checks at hospital rather than with midwife, but mostly saw GP and only real difference was an extra scan or two towards end. Successful induction due to overdue, normal delivery etc. Lost weight during pregnancy and was 2.5 stone lighter when I had baby than when I got pregnant. This time round, all similar until had GTT at 28 weeks and tested positive. Since then, there's been weekly hospital visits. A LOT of extra growth scans. BP slightly raised but only when they test with machine, all normal when done manually. Saw anaethetist too which didn't happen last time round, but was supposed to. Have lost around a stone this time so far. Baby due next week!

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