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Original poster

BMI Mistake maternity notes

31 replies

Bunny44 · 08/09/2023 06:55

I've recently transferred hospitals due to relocation at 36 weeks pregnant. Pregnancy has been uncomplicated, I was 34 when I got pregnant, size 8-10/BMI 22 before pregnancy and very active. I have gained slightly more than average weight but I was previously told this was fine especially as I've remained active throughout pregnancy and no health issues I.e. Good blood pressure etc.

The midwife I saw at the new unit seemed to be a trainee as she was supervised. She was copying over information in my booking appointment but seems to have put my starting weight as my weight at 37 weeks which has given me a booking BMI of 30.1. When I saw the consultant at the hospital a week later in her notes I saw she has written everywhere that I'm a high risk birth due to my age (now 35) and BMI above 30. I understand that the BMI above 30 risk should have related to booking BMI, not my BMI now?

I'm concerned and irritated as I believe this had implications for medical decisions during the birth. I look fairly slim apart from my massive belly now (which I've been told is measuring small) so I'm irritated the consultant didn't look at me and question this before writing it all over my notes.

Should I seek to clarify this ASAP or will it be ok? Can I get it corrected? The current hospital only seem to use written notes and nothing digital.

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MixedCouple · 08/09/2023 14:06

@Bunny44 it shouldn't affect anything as they can't do anything without consent. So if you decide a birth plan they have to respect that. They can advise.... But that's it.

P.s NHS worker here. We can't force anything in anyone. Wr can give advise and reccomemd but patient can refuse / accept.

Spinningcats · 08/09/2023 14:10

I queried this as my midwife said my BMI was too high for birth centre when they weighed me late on. I said surely it’s initial BMI and she said no. I clarified it with the hospital - after a week’s investigation they confirmed it should be original BMI. However a BMI of 30.1 is not usually considered high risk. I was 38 and my BMI was about 32 and that was fine as long as under 35

Original poster
Bunny44 · 08/09/2023 14:13

I saw a midwife earlier and she corrected my notes and my weight on the system so all sorted 🙂.

She said even a booking BMI of 30 wouldn't be considered a major concern but it was worth getting it corrected.

Also she said some Trusts do weigh at 36 weeks and some don't, just down to individual Trusts, but they shouldn't then recalculate your BMI, although they may flag if very excessive weight gain is a concern. This Trust and my last one (St Thomas) weighed at booking and then 36 weeks.

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Original poster
Bunny44 · 08/09/2023 14:19

Spinningcats · 08/09/2023 14:10

I queried this as my midwife said my BMI was too high for birth centre when they weighed me late on. I said surely it’s initial BMI and she said no. I clarified it with the hospital - after a week’s investigation they confirmed it should be original BMI. However a BMI of 30.1 is not usually considered high risk. I was 38 and my BMI was about 32 and that was fine as long as under 35

The consultant was saying it was a risk, but not sure if it was in conjunction with my age. I did read on the NHS website that if you have a booking BMI of over 30, the chance of stillbirth doubles and other risks increase.

OP posts:
Spinningcats · 08/09/2023 14:33

Yes being overweight increases risks but it’s not a high-risk pregnancy. The overwhelming majority have no issues at all.

Houseelf90 · 08/09/2023 14:38

@PickledScrump not arguing - just stating fact!

@Bunny44 glad you got it sorted 😊

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