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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

First appointment with midwife in 6 days and I need to appear heavier than I am any suggestions on how?

79 replies

twinkletwinkle04 · 20/05/2015 21:42

I'm pregnant with my 5th child and all my pregnancies have been high risk due to me being a tiny bit underweight for my heigh (167cm, 49.9kg).
All my children were born healthy but the fuss and constant scans were horrendous. I'm trying to avoid it this time by putting weight on in 6 days I'm failing miserably cause I don't seem to be getting any heavier. I've tried protein milkshakes but they are making me I'll. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As much as I'm a tad underweight I am healthy I'm just naturally skinny.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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eurochick · 20/05/2015 22:47

Decline the extra monitoring if you don't want it. I did. I was told at booking that my area classes all IVF pregnancies as high risk and I would be referred to consultant care. After such a medicalised conception, that was the last thing I wanted so I declined it. When I developed a problem in the third tri (unrelated to IVF) I accepted the need for consultant care and close monitoring as I could see there was a need for it. I don't accept it was needed to begin with (and if I had lived in another borough, I wouldn't have been referred anyway). If your weight is normal for you, you have had healthy pregnancies before and you don't want the monitoring, just say no thanks.

Mintyy · 20/05/2015 22:52

I actually asked the op Whirlpool.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 20/05/2015 22:56

Oh sorry. I assumed you had missed the bit in her op where she said why they were deemed high risk.

Mintyy · 20/05/2015 23:00

No, I didn't miss that. I was asking for clarification: are all pregnancies automatically deemed as high risk just because the mother is slightly underweight?

I was moderately overweight (about 15-20lb) at the start of both of my pregnancies but neither of them were deemed as high risk for that or any other reason. I was also 37 and 40 years old when pg, again no high risk status.

So I was interested in that. Whether it was just the weight thing, or something else? That's why I asked the op.

PacificDogwood · 20/05/2015 23:02

You know that you have every right to decline tests/additional scan etc?

IMO lying to your MW seems a bad idea on many levels.

BIWI · 20/05/2015 23:05

Whirlpool she didn't say they were deemed to be high risk. She said that they were high risk:

all my pregnancies have been high risk

Ionone · 20/05/2015 23:17

Um, in what way were your pregnancies high risk? I weighed less than you when I was first pregnant (put quite a lot on later in pregnancy what with having an actual baby inside me) and my pregnancy was absolutely textbook. If your previous children were healthy, what is the risk factor here? What are they actually worried about?

Nobody ever suggested to me that my pregnancy was high risk. It can't be only your weight.

Ionone · 20/05/2015 23:17

If it really is just your weight, can't you just point out that all your other kids have been healthy and you are just naturally quite slim?

itsallgonetitsup91 · 20/05/2015 23:22

Get some weights and stash them in your clothes.

Floggingmolly · 20/05/2015 23:23

If it's the same hospital; they'll have op's obstetric history on file. If, by the fifth pregnancy, op is still being labelled high risk despite the previous good outcomes, I'd assume it's necessary.
The idea of trying to fool the HCP into thinking it's not necessary is bizarre.

Ionone · 20/05/2015 23:41

Yes, I think there is more to it than OP's weight.

Focusfocus · 21/05/2015 04:42

I woukdnt play around with this OP. Have a discussion about interventions etc by all means, but please don't trick the HCP assigned to make calculations based on weight. I hope the folk suggesting rocks etc are joking.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 21/05/2015 09:31

I hope they are joking too, hopefully it doesn't need saying but they use weight for calculating anaesthetic dose amongst other things so I wouldn't lie about it. And if you falsely weigh heavier at booking, what's going to happen if it looks like you've lost weight later - that'd cause the medical staff some worries.
I'm small too but it's never been an issue for my pregnancies even when I lost weight in the first trimester due to sickness. Is there more background to this OP?

Skiptonlass · 21/05/2015 10:09

Do NOT change your weight. For several very important reasons.

Firstly, at your nuchal fold screening, your BMi is used to calibrate the blood results. If you lie about your weight your given risk factors will be wrong. That could be very serious.

Other than that, you're giving false information that can affect other tests. If your weight is normal for you, you just need to tell your midwife that. You can refuse any extra scans if you don't want them.

I will say, however, that there are reasons they do those extra tests. Being underweight IS a risk factor. That doesn't mean everyone underweight automatically has issues, some people are just petite and that's that, but it does up your risk.

I'll also say that to a health practitioner, an attempt to conceal weight would be a red flag. Don't lie about it, just be honest.

lottiesatitagain · 21/05/2015 10:17

That is odd. Underweight women are not automatically high risk in pregnancy.

Original poster

twinkletwinkle04 · 21/05/2015 10:17

Hi sorry, I didn't know how to sign back in. My weight has been the only reason my pregnancies were high risk. I'm not talking about majorly lying about my weight I just need a few extra pounds on. Extra scans were stressful due to me being told my kids were tiny and I was forced to be induced twice coz they scared the crap out of me and told me it was best for the babies. They had the weight over 2lb out each time. I both run and go to the gym when I can (too lazy to overdo it), I've never counted calories so my relationship with food is I eat what I want when I want to. If refusal of tests was an option id happily do it but thatthat's considered child abuse as they pointed out to me. Thanks to everyone who's answered.

OP posts:

Original poster

twinkletwinkle04 · 21/05/2015 10:20

Also at first midwife appointment you are automatically weighed and height taken. They even measure you even though I stopped growing more than a decade ago.

OP posts:

ARV1981 · 21/05/2015 10:34

Don't lie. Be honest about your concerns, they may back off and take you more seriously. Tell them that they got it wrong with your other babies, and you simply do not trust them anymore.

If they discover you've faked your weight they will be majorly concerned about eating disorders (not for one second saying you have one btw just how it would look if you try to fake your weight) and monitor you even more.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine. Xxx

Skiptonlass · 21/05/2015 10:39

Are there no other factors? Being slightly under or over weight doesn't put you in that high risk category by itself. Why were previous pregnancies deemed high risk? I think you should ask this question of your hcp, as on weight alone (unless you are severely under or overweight) this just doesn't happen.

However, if you appear to be attempting to conceal your weight, that IS going to raise flags for your health care provider, there is no question about that.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 21/05/2015 10:45

If your other babies were a good birth weight you can discuss that with them. Remember you consent to everything e.g. scans, blood tests, induction, c section and you can discuss with the consultant why you disagree with an early induction
Agree with others that if you fake your weight that will set alarm bells ringing with your health professionals who may think you have issues

BernardBlack · 21/05/2015 10:48

I was put under consultant care purely due to my weight, and given growth scans. I was 5'5 and weighed 7 stone 13. So yes, it does just happen, presumably depending on your areas policies.

Original poster

twinkletwinkle04 · 21/05/2015 10:57

My oldest was 6lb (10 days early)
Second was induced 2 weeks early he was 5lb 9
My daughter was induced 3 weeks early at 5lb 4
My youngest was 5lb 11 4 weeks early which is not a bad weight considering. So yes they are still all on the small side (25th centile) except my youngest (50th centile) I get stressed easily you've no idea what it's like. My oldest is now 7 I've never except for coughs and chickenpox had them at the doctors yet they don't listen to me. What's a couple of pounds if it means they will leave me alone? Would be nice to get to 40 weeks for a change.

OP posts:

Original poster

twinkletwinkle04 · 21/05/2015 10:58

Thanks, I was starting to think noone believed I could be high risk due to weight.

OP posts:

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 21/05/2015 11:05

This makes sense now, all of your babies were low birth weight (under 6 and a half pounds) that'll be why you're high risk.
My DS was 6lb 9oz at 36 weeks so was only just low birth weight, but that's on my record too.

Original poster

twinkletwinkle04 · 21/05/2015 11:16

My oldest wasn't low birth weight 10 days early he just made the cut off. The other two aren't true weights due to induction and my baby was premature and got home the same day. Also I'm forced to get anti d jags even tho I knew my kids blood type before they were born. Due to genetic factors obviously. I think me being slightly heavier takes the power away to scare me. I don't really stand up for myself. I'll mention something once and if I get shot down I leave it. My options are grow a set of balls or put on a tiny bit of weight.

OP posts:

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