High BMI and waterbirth

[Babyno2mamabear]

My BMI at booking in was very high (36) and I've been really conscious of weight gain throughout pregnancy. I had lost 13.5lb by 20 weeks but now at 24 weeks I've only lost 8.5lb. However, I am fitting in size 12 clothes really comfortably again instead of size 14 and generally feeling much healthier, people saying I look like I've lost weight in legs, arms, bum etc but obviously have a big bump now.

I was told I couldn't have a waterbirth because of the risk associated with my BMI. My BMI is now below 35 (the cut off), but my midwife said they only go off the BMI at booking in appt. I'm just wondering if anyone knows the reason for this? And why I'm not allowed one? Because apparently it's just incase they need to pull you out in an emergency. I'm 14st so not hugely heavy, I'm just a right shorty!!

Any advice please? I had a horrible induced labour with my son, not allowed off the bed and I had every drip possible, i just want to do all I can do have the opposite of that but I think my weight may have messed up those plans.

Anyone had a waterbirth with a high BMI or at least been allowed to labour in the pool? X

You might not think 14st is that heavy but add 2-3 stone for 40 wks pregnant and then see if someone can lift you out of a birthing pool.

It's not fair on the midwives sorry

Doesn't sound right to me. Can you call the hospital and ask about it? Loads of mothers must be over 14st. If you're in size 12 you can't be that big.

I should think getting someone out of water is at least a two-person job in any event. Do a couple of stone really make that much difference?

Surely there should be a weight limit not a BMI limit if that's the reason, because someone 6"6 who's 14 stone would be allowed in the pool but lifting them put would be just as difficult.

Seems off.

You haven't got a really high bmi- mine is 40+ my midwife told me that they say no as a general rule because you need to be able to get out of the pool quickly if they need you too...the bigger you are the more difficult this is....however...she also told me that it is up for discussion, if everything else is ok it shouldn't be a problem...don't know if that's the same everywhere though

@cariadxx - well that was polite haha! My point was what some of the others have commented too, that surely someone who is 14stone and say 6ft (plus the 2st baby weight) shouldn't be allowed it either? The weight would be the same, excluding the BMI.

I absolutely do not want to do anything unfair on the midwives at all but equally my last Labour was absolutely vile and I had to undergo counselling afterwards and I don't really want that to happen again that's all xx

I'm going to speak to my midwife again but she was pretty certain it would be a no.

I've always been heavy, always always, at my lightest I was 9st13 and a size 8 and you could see every bone in my body. This time I most definitely do have additional weight that I know I shouldn't and I am p*ed off at myself for letting it get this way, but I am still in and around the average size for a UK woman, just my weight is way over. One of my biggest bug bears in life! But have to deal with it.

Like I said, I really just want a calmer and more relaxed birth than last time and thought this would be a way to go, but apparently Not, so may need to think of a plan B 🙈

And advice there?! Xx

You can appeal to your midwife and see if there’s any room for manoeuvre given what you’ve said about your weight loss during pregnancy.

But like a pp said- in an emergency situation the attending midwife (more than likely a woman) would be responsible for lifting a 14 stone dead weight out of the pool. It is a safety measure even if it’s application is frustrating and seems a bit random.

Are you attending an MLU or a labour ward where they have active birthing options? There are other good alternatives to a water birth if it’s still a hard No after you speak to your MW.

Maybe it’s just a judgement call they make on the day? Agree that BMI isn’t a good measure, I’m 5ft 8 and my BMI pre pregnancy was 24 but I weighed about 11 stone so now I must be close to 14 as this baby is a beast 🙈 can they weigh you closer to the time and see??

@Babyno2mamabear maybe see if they would compromise that you can labour in the pool but get out to deliver the baby?

Thanks for your advice everyone :) I think I will just ask them again about the options.

I'm not being midwife led because of complications last time so I'll be at the hospital where there are a range of options! I just don't want to be on a bed for 24 hours like last time not able to move :(

I think I just have so many questions about the labour I just need to have a really good chat with my midwife and also might arrange another tour of the hospital, we live in a county boarder so I'm having my maternity care in one county but giving birth in another so some of the practice and advice is different. Xx

You can still have a nice birth without a water birth. They've never appealed to me. Apparently they can lead to more tearing too as the midwife struggles to see what's going on so can't guide you as well.

Have you had a good poke around your trust’s website?

That’s where I found out that my hospital offered hypnobirthing classes and active birthing facilities. Sometimes MW’s during appointments can be rushed and don’t go through everything that’s available, so women don’t know that they have other options.

Honestly? It's easier to discriminate on weight than on height. You can't do anything about height, but presumably there are some aspects of weight that are in that person's control...?? So that could be part of the policy?

Ive had 3 x happy home water births at over 40 BMI each time. Would you consider a home birth? No-one can tell you what you are/aren't allowed to do in your own home.

My BMI was 32 and they let me have a water birth.. well they were going to but I hated it and got out... but they never mentioned my weight once!

Hi my BMI was higher than yours for both my children and I was allowed the option of water both times. Have another chat with your midwife or the centre manager where you would like to give birth.

I think I'd be too worried to have a home birth just because I needed quite a lot of doctors last time as my boy was very poorly and it just makes me worried!

I see what you mean about discriminating on weight/height and perhaps that is it!! I'm doing all i can now though to be as healthy as I can, it's taken away so much enjoyment from this pregnancy as I am so obsessive about it now. Just wish I'd been like this before getting pregnant!

I'm going to do some hypnobirthing classes before as my anxiety surrounding the birth is extreme at the moment.

I'm not totally sold on having to have a waterbirth, it's more just that I'd like the option to do more than just lie on a bed as that really doesn't help I don't think!

The cut off they're telling me is 35 for waterbirth and as I said, mine is now below that, but wasn't at booking which is why they're saying No, but maybe you're right I might just have to wait until I'm weighed again at 36weeks until they decide xxx

@EmmaJR1 I just saw your comment. That's great to know thanks so much xx

This makes no sense. My booking in BMI was 24. At 42 weeks it was 32!!!!!!
But I would have been allowed a water birth. Whereas you may well be much lighter than I was.

I had my first in Canada - I was booked in for a home water birth at a BMI of 40 although I'm very short so that's not as much as it is for other people. (didn't happen, very overdue and induced in the end) - it was mentioned that DP would have to haul me out if needed.

They didn't bat an eyelid though, they treated me as an adult, explained the risks, and then went with my decision. Something that seems to be sorely lacking in the UK.

I meant to say... my weight was much more than 14 stone as well

I've never felt so 'big' in my life than when I was around midwives, making a fuss over having to use large blood pressue cuffs, saying they don't do paper underwear in my size etc. I looked like most of the mums in at the time.

I've never felt so 'big' in my life than when I was around midwives, making a fuss over having to use large blood pressue cuffs, saying they don't do paper underwear in my size etc. I looked like most of the mums in at the time.

@Babyno2mamabear I filled in a grey area form with my midwife and met with the midwife manager at the mlu- I chose a hospital that had both mlu and a normal delivery suite so if anything happened I wouldn't have to do a transfer mid labour.

You guys are all very lovely and helpful. Thank you!

I've never been made to feel big either but I feel so so horrific since being pregnant, it's like the judgement turns from off to on.

I saw my GP about a month before I got pregnant to say how bad my weight was making me feel. He asked how much I weighed and I said I didn't know. He literally refused to weigh me, said I didn't look like I had a weight problem but here are some things to do etc. Had a thyroid test blah blah blah.

Saw him 8/10 weeks later and told him my BMI and suddenly I was spoken to like a piece of poo. Very frustrating when I'd actively seeked his help before and he wasn't worried!!

I think my hospital has a MLU and a regular labour ward so that's definitely an option to explore and I've written down lots of questions to ask the midwife.

Thanks again for your advice and for listening to me moan. Xx