Low BMI under consultant - what to expect?

[melbourne65]

I have been told by my midwife I will be under the consultant for my pregnancy as I'm classed as high risk because my bmi is low.

What does this mean? What should I expect?

With my son I was sent to a consultant because my BMI was low. They sent me to a dietician that advised a healthy lifestyle, asked what I eat in a day and said he wasn't worried, I clearly am just small. I got sent for a couple extra growth scans but that was also because my bump always measured small, tho baby measured bigger and was born 7lb at 38 weeks 🤷🏼‍♀️. They just want to keep an eye on you as you aren't their ideal weight x

I had a BMI of 15.2 at booking, same as PP they sent me to a dietician, made sure I was taking folic acid/vitamins and wasn't too sick. Baby was a very healthy 9lb 3oz. Needless to say I had a section!
You'll do amazing, OP.

For DD2 I had one consultant appointment at about 20 weeks. She recommended I had two additional scans, at 32 and 36 weeks. That was it. I was the same weight pre-pregnancy with DD1 but didn't get referred, I guess the cut off weight changed or something.

DD1 was born on her due date, 7.5lbs.

DD2 my waters broke at 34 weeks, didn't go into labour so was induced at 37. She was 6.5lbs.

This is standard practice OP. I was slightly underweight when I got pregnant, maybe about a BMI 18. I had one appointment with the consultant who told me to take my vits, make sure I was eating ok and then discharged me. No fuss at all and baby is doing well at 22 weeks. I have not put on very much weight during the pregnancy which did worry me, but doesn't seem to be a lot of concerns as baby is measuring ok so its probably me that will suffer after the birth tbh!

My BMI was around 16.5 when I got pregnant. Nobody said or did anything about it... probably because I'm very petite to start with, just under 5ft tall.

My BMI is low and actually was lower than usual at my booking appointment due to morning sickness. They didn't seem particularly fussed and said that it doesn't tend to cause much problems provided I'm eating well and it's just my build. They said they might consider an extra growth scan later on but that's about it. 14 weeks now and all is good so far.

I'll add I was not referred to consultant care - and didn't realise they do that often for low bmi

How low is your BMI? How many weeks pg are you?
The main risk is preterm birth, as well as low birthweight for the infant.

If in early pregnancy, you'd have a chance to reduce the risk by increasing weight.

I was referred to a consultant for low BMI (only slightly low). Once I'd had blood tests and he'd met me he had no concerns. I was really fit and even now I remember his words were "whatever you're doing, keep doing it!".
DS was 7lbs 6 at birth and in rude health.

Thank you for all the advice and reassurance.

This is my 2nd baby, my first pregnancy was hg and iugr so pleased to be getting the help.

I'm 10 weeks and my bmi is 18 so not massively below, when I had my first lo midwives said it made sense he was small as I was small too.

do you have hg this time, too?