High BMI in pregnancy

[Eggcellent29]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping that some of you out there might be able to help me out!

My BMI is not ideal - I gained weight after my first pregnancy (which ended in missed miscarriage) and the fall out afterwards, pushing my BMI up to 33.

Anyway, I knew this would increase the risks in pregnancy but was rather upset to be referred to a consultant over it!

She rattled off lots of risks, even saying I may not be able to give birth naturally and that I will have a big baby. I have been booked in for extra scans, blood tests, etc.

All of my blood tests, blood pressure tests and urine tests have come back with no concerns.

I have gained 4 pounds at 17 weeks pregnant. I have no idea if this is too much?

I appreciate that this is all my own fault, but I am very distressed that it seems to be SUCH a big deal. I don’t know anyone else who has been given all this extra attention despite being heavier than I am!

Does anyone else have any experience of this? What did you do? Did it impact your pregnancy negatively in any way? Is this treatment standard? I feel like the fattest woman ever to be pregnant!

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver what happens if your baby is measuring big? Is it literally a case of extra care during labour / possibly early induction, or are there concerns that it's pointing to an underlying health condition? I think that's what I'm scared about - that my baby will be big on the scams and it will cause something to be wrong.

Weighing*

@Bubbles121 try not to panic too much. I loved the extra scans although once they get bigger you only see the head and a different shot of the body 😂. I actually had GD and my baby wasn't big.
If they think your baby is big they will either monitor you, induce you or offer a c section. I was induced for GD at 38 weeks and the surgeon came round to me to talk about c section etc. The main thing they worry about with bigger babies is their shoulders getting stuck.

@Bubbles121 the only health condition it seems to point to is gestational diabetes I however am convinced it's just a result of my weight and height and DHs height as we're both tall. I'll should get a letter through for my next GTT soon. From the research I've done early induction is a possibility and selfishly I'd not be opposed to that as I've had SPD for months and the heavier he gets the harder it gets.

@Eggcellent29 hi! Im a nurse thats done a few placements in the maternity unit. In my area (portsmouth) ladies with a high BMI automatically get a referral to a consultant. This is the same as ladies with diabetes, known cardiac problems etc. I think its just about safety as theres an increased risk.

Also those 'high risk' ladies dont get the option to give birth in a midwife led unit. Its an automatic referral to the high dependancy maternity unit. Which all sounds very scary, but its about managing risk.

I think it just depends on which area you live in.

If all your tests are coming back as normal then id say theres nothing to be worried about!

My BMI was at least 35 when I got pregnant & by the time I was 35 weeks I weighed 16 stone, I didnt have any problems until the last week before ds was born by emcs at 37 weeks, I had a fall & broke all my fingers, ironically at the midwife clinic, within 5 days I had blown up & looked like a Michellin man, my eyes were like slits, my feet were so big I couldnt see my toes or get my shoes on, I had pre eclampsia & was admitted & induced but the induction failed & i had an emcs. I was very poorly & got hellp syndrome, was in high dependency. I don't put any of this down to my weight, my then husband had been diagnosed with MS a month before ds was born & I was visiting the hospital with him for treatment & to learn how to do the physio, I should have been resting & I was an older mum, I was nearly 38.

@BlahBlahBlahh @smartcarnotsosmartdriver thank you that's very reassuring. I know I should be glad to have the extra monitoring so if something is wrong they can be prepared, I think it was maybe just the first time it was suddenly clear that there were extra risks (my midwife is excellent at managing anxiety and has kept me very calm throughout so far - whereas I suppose the consultant is there to identify risks and manage them so a different type of relationship). Thanks ladies x

@CAG12 I live in Portsmouth and I never had any of this with a high BMI 😳 did I fall through the net or something? X

@BlahBlahBlahh its what we do at the QA Hospital now and I think it depends how high your BMI is. Unsure about your case 🤷🏼‍♀️ sorry