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

Firstly well done on losing weight during your pregnancy! I tried not to gain too much during mine but did find that it went on quicker near the end. The birthing unit at my local hospital had a weight limit (17 stone) which makes more sense than going by BMI for the reasons you mention. But also BMI at booking in was one of the factors in determining if you were consultant led or midwife led - you couldn't use the birthing unit if you were consultant led. Everywhere is different though. My midwife said I would absolutely not be allowed in the birthing unit for other reasons, and she was wrong! So it's worth checking the hospital website/asking more questions. It's understandable that you're keen to have a different experience this time, I would second looking at active birth classes. Some places have wireless and even waterproof monitors that still allow you to move around and be in the water. Also see if you could still use a birthing pool during labour for pain relief even if you can't give birth in the water. Good luck! X

You can have a waterbirth. I've had two babies in the pool and have had a high BMI both times, as long as you can get out of the pool you're fine. The last birth I was induced and still allowed, so I don't see why you'd not be.

Thanks Moomin and Habby.

I'm not consultant led and hoping even if I start piling on the pounds now I still should definitely still be below 17stone. Im going to attend slimming world right up until my due date so i can atleast monitor my weight gain towards the end closely.

I might call the hospital direct as my midwife is from a different county.

Active birth classes is on my list of things to look into as well!

That's great that you were induced and still allowed a water birth! I think last time I was a young mum and didn't really know what I was doing, none of my friends had had children so had no experiences to go from etc I was just doing what I was told and didn't have a brave voice to say when I was unhappy. So I'll definitely try and be braver this time and ask for things to be a bit different if they start heading the same way!

You never know, I might pop her out in an hour 😂💖

@Babyno2mamabear my 2nd was 36 mins so you never know.... the bath wasn't even full by the time dd popped out!

Same here. First birth was 35 hours and the second was 1hour 45 mins. The damage has already been done by the time the second one comes Good luck!!

Habby and Emma.....you have quickly become my 2 favourite people of the day 😂 less than 2 hours sounds bloody great to me!!! I've never counted how many hours the first labour was....It was too many to track and id rather keep it that way haha x

My second popped out in a few hours too, I almost had him in the car!

I just don't see how a single midwife could pull a nine stone or ten stone woman out of a pool by herself either without it being dangerous for both. Surely you'd need to call for help in any event?

I had (have) a high BMI - around 35ish? - and I had a water birth. Our MLU has a hoist in their pool rooms because frankly, when someone is a dead weight and wet it doesn't matter whether they're 12 or 16 stone, they're still going to be exceptionally bloody difficult to get out of a pool 🙄

Oh - and my first labour was 12hrs, 2nd was 1hr 45mins. I only just made it into the hospital pool 😁

Ive had 2 water births ,both times I was very heavy .size 24 heavy.cant remember my exact weight ,17 ish stone..I refused the consultant in the room ,got myself out of the water for checks ,3 rd and 4 th births thou ...mind you my husband would of got me out if there was a problem ...

Thanks for your replies ladies! And I agree, I can barely move my son when he's not co-operating and he's probably only about 2 stone!! So like you say, regardless it's going to be hard work.

It's just good to know others have been successful in having the births they want, despite their weights.

I've spent the day googling my weight and it has stressed the hell out of me!! Not in a good place at all so hearing stories of positive labours is what i need, thank you 💖

Hi! I'm in a similar situation at the moment, is there any update on this? How did it turn out? X

Hi, as long as your BMI is under 35 at the time you go into labour you should be allowed to use the birthing pool but more likely that it will be in the high risk pool. They will see from your booking weight to final weight that you have barely gained much and I’m sure if you explain you have lost weight they will understand.
It is probably worth seeing a consultant midwife or someone you can formulate a birth plan with 🙂

My weight must be over 14 stone now, but I am quite tall and my BMI at the start was 26. No-one has said anything about not having a water birth. Seems a bit unfair to base it on your BMI at the start, not now and not to go off actual weigh (if that is what the issue is). Could it also be that they think there could be more complications generally because of your BMI?

Perhaps consider a home birth? You can sort out your own pool then - no permission needed!