High Risk Pregnancy - what to expect ?

[RW269]

Hello!

First time posting, looking to see if there’s anyone on here that’s been classed as High Risk due to weight who can enlighten me a little more into what exactly it means? More appointments? Is it a regular monitoring?

Husband and I are trying to conceive currently, I’ve recently lost 4 stone but will still be very high risk (350+ lb) We’ve decided to start trying now I’m 30 he’s 33 as we don’t want to delay longer and just work on getting healthier throughout trying. We were just unsure when we’ve been reading that we would be high risk what exactly that means will be different along the pregnancy?

Any guidance would be grand or generally any hype from fellow people who have had a pregnancy around this weight :)

During pregnancy you will be on the radar for gestational diabetes/pre-eclampsia/blood clots. They're more common if you're overweight but can happen to anyone. You're also more likely to have a forceps delivery or cesarean section so you are likely to he advised against using a midwife led unit. It's just important to remember that the vast majority of pregnancies in overweight women result in a healthy baby. Best of luck!

Hey, I’m considered high risk due to my BMI and a health condition. I already have a son who is 7 and was also high risk for his pregnancy as well.

With my first pregnancy I had consultant led care which really was a few extra appointments, a few growth scans, gestational diabetes blood test and I was also prescribed blood thinners from 18 weeks until 6weeks pp.

Have you heard of Alice the heavyweight midwife? Alice runs a Facebook group that shares information for those with a higher bmi, there is a members group you can join- its a great source of information and support.

Oh fab! I’ve not heard of that no I will definitely check that out though sounds like a great place to have a read through thank you!

Thank you! That’s definitely something to look into re the midwife led places and ones in a hospital! Thank you :)

Potentially a good read for you here :)
https://www.amazon.com.au/Plus-Size-Pregnancy-evidence-really/dp/1914465091/ref=asc_df_1914465091/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=649965608553&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7551122614936865067&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9070556&hvtargid=pla-2218630806394&psc=1&mcid=73b019ef5c7339c2af05267439ef842b

Hi,

I'm 25 weeks with my second and 'high risk' due to my bmi.

I have a 5 year old and wasn't high risk then, had a text book pregnancy and birth in a pool with no intervention.

I've had one consultant appointment so far and was told I'd need to go on blood thinners, monitor my blood pressure and give birth on the labour ward. I have a follow up in Feb and after doing a lot of research I've decided I won't be doing the injections.

I also have an appointment with the Head matron to discuss my birth plan as I want to be on the midwife lead again.

I'd say the most important thing is to research and understand that they are only offering guidance at the end of the day its up to you (my consultant actually said this to me!)

The fb group mentioned above has been great and the book by Dr Sara Wickham.

I had a 'high risk' pregnancy due to BMI of 40+. I was put on the consultant led pathway (as opposed to midwife led care) but tbh I didn't see a consultant until 37 weeks as I never had any complications (no gestational diabetes, blood pressure always healthy etc).

I had to have a gestational diabetes test and an appointment with an anaesthetist to check they could feel their way for a spinal block in case I needed one (I didn't).

I was also offered growth scans at 30, 35 & 37 weeks (I think).

I was advised that I was higher risk for an instrumental delivery, but I didn't need one. I was also advised that a high BMI in itself isn't a problem for a pregnancy, it just means you are at a higher risk of developing certain things (GD, preeclampsia etc) so they like to keep a closer eye on you.

I was supposed to give birth under consultant care and be monitored throughout labour. This didn't happen as the baby came quite quickly and once the midwife noticed, it was too late to move me.

Be prepared that your weight will probably be mentioned in one way or another at a lot of appointments, or you might see reference to it in scan reports as it can be harder to visualise in ultrasounds.

Good luck! ✨

@RW269 I was classed as high risk as my BMI was 37.9 at my booking appointment. I had 4 or 5 growth scans, gestational diabetes test, took aspirin for 36 weeks and had extra consultant appointments throughout.

I gained a stone in weight in total during pregnancy and my BMI was at 40.2 at my 36 week midwife appointment. I really wanted to give birth on the birth centre instead of the delivery suite which the consultant wasn't too happy about but I completed an 'out of guidance' birth plan and managed it and came out reasonably unscathed with just a 2nd degree tear. I never felt judged about my weight, I believe most of it is down to statistically people with a higher BMI are slightly more likely to encounter certain issues. I was also told on a couple of occasions that using BMI is an outdated method but I suppose there has to be some kind of benchmark in place...

Good luck with conceiving!

Hi! I was on consultant led pathway due to BMI.

At my booking appointment I was prescribed higher dose folic acid and Aspirin due to that.
I didn't see a consultant until I started my growth scans at 28 weeks and even then they were surprisingly lovely! Literally just went through where she was plotting on the graph and they were very happy with her growth. There was never any scary talk and the only time induction was mentioned was when my waters went at 37+4 but in the end my body did everything it needed to and I didn't need inducing. Yes I gave birth on the delivery suite not the midwife unit but tbh I couldn't tell the difference (I had a very quick labour though). In the room for the birth was me, DH and the most incredible midwife. I never saw a Dr or consultant at any point in my delivery.

My pregnancy was amazing and I loved every second of it. I also second the Heavyweight Midwife on Facebook, the support and expertise is amazing! Don't let anyone make you feel you need to lose x amount or anything, Our bodies are just as capable! BMI is a consideration not a risk!

If you have any questions or anything feel free to drop me a message!
Good luck, sending lots of positive vibes!

Hi OP,

I’ve had a pretty smooth ride of it so far (now at 37 weeks). Having had no issues with blood pressure and tested negative for gestational diabetes, my consultant is happy for me to give birth on the MLU and says she’s now considering me as low risk. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that weight has hardly come up at all in midwife appointments. Plus Size Pregnancy is a good account to follow on Instagram for advice on advocating for the birth you want. Best of luck!!

Thank you all so much for the replies! It’s a lot more reassuring knowing it’s not going to play a huge overtaking role throughout it and that a fair amount of people get through it smoothly! Much appreciated! :)