High BMI related appointment - can I refuse?

[coffeeforone]

So at my booking appointment last week my midwife weighed me and said “I’m not sure what your BMI will be - I’ll work it out if it’s over 30 i might need refer you to weight management/glucose test”, otherwise low risk, 2nd pregnancy, no issues last time (I was a bit lighter at booking in then BMI just under 30 so no referrals suggested last time)

So I received an appointment for a glucose test in 2nd trimester - absolutely fine with me!
I then received a letter for 2 extra growth scans in third trimester - also fine with me!
Then I received a letter for a hospital consultant appointment at 16 weeks. It clashes with my first midwife appointment so I may need to change it. Not exactly sure what it’s for, but I’m assuming to discuss risks re raised BMI?
In the same envelope there was another appointment letter for a ‘feeding clinic’ to discuss infant feeding - also with an additional ‘optional’ extra session on colostrum harvesting, attached to a leaflet about weight management.

I’m confused about why the final appointment re feeding is necessary and what it has to do with my BMI/pregnancy risk. I will be formula feeding from birth without doubt. Trying to BF my first almost broke me and I’m not putting myself through it again. I do know how to bottle feed as it was less than 2 years ago that DS was born. Do I still need to go along? I don’t want to look like I’m not taking appointments seriously but I’m not sure what use it would be for me and how my BMI makes any difference if I’m FF.

Also, should I be expecting any more weight related appointments or does the above cover everything? My BMI is about 33 BTW!

Lizard, I don’t want to be getting anything out of myself- colostrum or milk. Dead set on that so no point me taking up a space in the class.

I am on a group for people due in March and lots of the people on there are talking about colostrum harvesting for people with GD as it can be given to the baby to help stabilise blood sugar after birth I believe.

So, it could be that when you have had the GTT and if you are diagnosed with GD they would suggest colostrum harvesting for your baby after birth. The info you have been given would mean you already have an idea of the services they offer to help.

This is only what I've gleaned from the group I'm in, I haven't researched myself as no GD risk factors or GTT offered to me.

A midwife tried to show me how to harvest colostrum when ds went to NICU. It took all of two minutes and was the most revolting two minutes I've spent in a long time. I can't imagine how you'd fill an entire class with it.

Would have thought it would have made more sense to wait until they had your glucose test results and then offer but given that you don't intend to breastfeed, then attending seems pointless.

I refused to go to the 'fat mums clinic' (aka dietetics) because I couldn't face being lectured at about healthy food when all I could keep down was flat cola and Squares crisps.

I KNOW why I'm fat. I know I'm more likely to get diabetes and blood clots. I'll happily participate in additional monitoring and tests. But I draw the line at a midwife lecturing me to eat fresh fruit and veg.

A midwife showed me how to hand express colostrum after DS was born and it took her 2 mins! (I'm sure is still have a stack of syringes she gave me too!)

I will do this if needed for baby's blood sugar levels, but I don't think i'd need a class to do it. Yes I think if i had failed a GTT, then it would make more sense to refer me then.

seagull - I agree! I hope they don't send me to a diet class. I'm currently existing on toast, quavers, satsumas and pink lady apples - can't stomach anything else!! its really not the best time for advice on a healthy, varied diet!

I have HG, so basically my diet is whatever I can face on that day. Most days it's fresh fruit, veg and protein. Some days it's toast and cola.

I had to see a dietician in both my pregnancies, all they did was ask what i ate and advise me what to eat. My BMI was over 40 though thats the only reason i'm surprised theyre doing it with a I of 33. Maybe it depends where you live

If you are going to see the Consultant at 16 weeks you don't need to see the midwife as well. You can cancel the midwife and see them at the next routine appointment, probably 25 weeks.

If you are going to see the Consultant at 16 weeks you don't need to see the midwife as well. You can cancel the midwife and see them at the next routine appointment, probably 25 weeks.

Oh really? My midwife told me to make an appointment with her at GP surgery at 16 weeks. The hospital appointment doesn't actually say what it's for. Just with a Dr in obstetrics. In my notes she wrote BMI 33, "GGT required" then "low risk - midwife led care" on the next line....

Not sure about cancelling the midwife. I saw both the consultant and the midwife at 24 weeks for entirely different things, different days/locations. The consultant wanted to discuss mode of birth (ds was an emcs) and the midwife wanted me to order my baby box (we're in Scotland and yes, I'm sadly excited at the thought of a cardboard box with Nessie on it).

I often have to see both hospital and midwife close together and they do different things.

You definitely don't need to see both as everything that the midwife would do will be done by the Obstetrician at that appointment.
It's odd that she has written 'low risk midwife led care' in the notes and then referred you to an Obstetrician though so it might be worth contacting her to question this. She has told you that you need to book to see her at 16 weeks as she has written you down for midwife only care. Something has then changed her mind and she has referred you to a Consultant.

Everyone is offered the feeding clinic, they probably just wanted to send everything out at once. They knew I was still BF DC1 when I got pregnant again and have only just stopped feeding, it's in my notes. They still had to give me the feeding clinic leaflet and ask if I would be attending even though they knew I would say no.