Short and high BMI - now considered obese and high risk out of the blue?

[Isbo]

Hi everyone, first post here although have been a lurker since I found out I was pregnant. Sorry in advance for long post - am just upset and looking for others who've been through anything similar.

I'm 34 and this is my first pregnancy - I'm 35 weeks today and so far everything has been gravy (on paper at least - emotionally it's been a different story!) - baby healthy and moving lots, scans all good, bloods all good, pee always fine, no major symptoms except fairly mild PGP in the last few weeks.

However at my booking appt they put me down as 'overweight' which I was a bit upset about having lost about 15 kilos pre-pregnancy and gotten down to 'normal' BMI through a long slog of healthy diet and exercise and therapy over the years. I put on a bit of water weight and maybe a bit of fat in my first 6 weeks as a result of bloat/post lockdown and early pregnancy emotional eating but hand on heart looked normal to slim - however am 5ft1 so my BMI has always been a bit misleading. I was upset at the time because I have a looong history of disordered eating, had got myself to a good place but you can never quite shake that horrible little voice that says "once a fatty always a fatty", can you?? and tools like BMI just make that worse.

Anyway, my weight or size was never mentioned again, bump was tracking in the 50th percentile, until today at my 35 week appointment when they checked my BMI and apparently I'm now obese and therefore high risk all of a sudden despite no other symptoms?

I have of course put on weight, but even the midwife looked at me and said it didn't really tally up but 'what can you do, the guidelines are the guidelines'.

So I guess I'm upset on a couple of levels - number one because it brings up historical stuff about weight, disordered eating and body image - fine, I can deal with that in my own time, and pregnancy is always going to be a trigger, right? But mostly because I KNOW I am fit and healthy - have exercised throughout pregnancy, eat a balanced diet, and all my other pregnancy vitals are fine - but I'm worried I'm now going to have to fight to have the birth I want (home, or midwife led unit) and on some level fear judgement for being an 'obese pregnant woman' when attending appointments etc who just becomes some at-risk statistic despite it not tallying up with how I actually look/feel.

Thanks for reading, any advice on how to navigate the final few weeks appreciated (like they weren't daunting enough )

My BMI is on the higher side however not a huge risk...(the only issue I've had is I've caught covid at 37 weeks and have had to go on blood thinners).

It was on the higher side in my first pregnancy but only on the cusp, I was able to negotiate coming down from consultant care to be able to use the midwife unit and birthing pool - it didn't work out because my son was stubborn! But I did get to atleast try 🙂.

Honestly in my experience my weight hasn't been mentioned bar on scans they have to put that "higher maternal BMI" comment on but no one ever says anything. And to be honest my weight has just triggered growth scans which I have found are just a bonus!

I spoke with the midwife advocate if you try to do that - it was quick and simple and she completely agreed with my birth plan that the midwife led unit was suitable.

Thanks for the reply! How did you get in touch with the midwife advocate?

Do they weigh you again during pregnancy ? I only got weighed at my booking appointment they never weighed me again so I was low risk even though I piled on 5 stone .

@Isbo I was given her detail's at an antenatal appointment. I'm sure that your community midwife could help. You need to ask them to risk assess you but your post sounds like me - no risk factors associated with your weight eg diabetes, growth restrictions! I think if you're sensible they will respect your choice.