Should I keep the baby

[Anonymous44]

Hi
i am 31f and just found out I’m about 4-5 weeks pregnant. It wasn’t planned. I would love to have a baby, I am in a good job and have a good relationship and supportive family however my BMI is 31. I am worried this will affect the baby’s and my health, lead to complications and it be a more difficult birth. I am unsure what is best to do. Please help.

Start looking after yourself, exercise and nutritious food, and speak to your GP/MW about your concerns when you see them.

I'm not too clued up on bmi but agree with pp about starting exercise lightly, just walking or swimming, and eating well. I wouldn't get rid of a baby just because of this as there's plenty of other options to look at first. Midwife would be the best person to speak to about this! Good luck 🙂

Don't let your BMI be the deciding factor. Contact your GP surgery or midwifery service and get good advice on the risks and how to mitigate then. I think you may need a higher dose of folic acid. My best friend is obese and has had two healthy babies. She did development gestational diabetes but she kept it well controlled - with diet the first time and diet and medication the second time, the babies were born healthy and a normal size and her diabetes went away after she gave birth each time.

Don't worry , they might want to keep an extra eye on you but lots of women who are not within a healthy bmi have perfectly ok pregnancies and babies.

My bmi was higher than that when I had both my children, both perfectly healthy pregnancies, and babies. They are also both healthy weights as children, no correlation to my weight whatsoever.

Yep.
My BMI was higher than normal but went on to have perfectly healthy babies born with no complications.
Your GP/midwife team will look after you and give you loads of advice to support you.

You will be fine and the GP/Hospital/midwife will advise you if you need extra care or support.

Congratulations. 🌹

31 isn't massively high anyway. My BMI has been 31 for both pregnancies and it wasn't really even mentioned by anyone and I had two easy pregnancies and healthy babies. Definitely not a reason to not have a baby!

Thanks so much for all your messages it means a lot and gives me more confidence

Believe in yourself! Most BMI women have beautiful babies and wonderful lives because of their prescious little ones.

I spent the summer of 1976 lying under a quilt revising for GCSEs because I was 15 and been shamed about my BMI so I was studying and trying to sweat me out. Not good!

Since I was 15 it's gone up, gone down, up and down again. I'm still me though.

You'll be fine if it's what you want.

Prefnancys are classed as higher risk if you have a bmi over 35.

Your BMI is not going to have a massive impact on the health of this pregnancy. I think the main problem with a high BMI is conceiving in the first place and then a slightly higher risk of miscarriage so neither a reason to not have this baby at all.

My BMI was fairly high so I'd asked the consultant if I should try at all again to conceive and he said the birth issues with high BMI really only arise with a massive BMI (35 -40 and over). Midwives told me similar about complications.

If BMI is your only worry then go for it. Don't let your BMI put you off.

I think if you what this baby and think you can make it work then definitely go for it.

Whatever you decide good luck and good wishes.

(Disclaimer: I've had an abortion that I still to this day regret bitterly so I am biased. I wish I had made it work.)

Aw OP, definitely don't let a bmi of 31 stop you going through with having your baby! That's not in the high risk range! Just focus on good nutrition and looking after yourself well, the same as every pregnant woman should, and you will be at no more risk than anyone else.
It's a very stressful and mind blowing time finding out you're expecting, and very normal to have negative thoughts and anxieties like you are right now, but don't listen to them!

Hi OP,

Congratulations! We were thinking the 'Pregnancy Choices' board might be a better fit but wanted to check in on whether you'd be happy for us to move your thread.

Best wishes

Yes please that would be fine. Sorry I’m new and didn’t know where to post.

thanks for all the messages. I am very stressed and worried but also happy at the same time.
it’s probably my hormones!

Agree with everyone else, if you're happy to have a baby don't let your bmi get in the way ! My SIL is overweight and had two perfectly healthy babies. Do talk to a medical professional if you're worried, they'll tell you the same thing.

Congratulations !

I want to add, your bmi is in no way shape or form an indicator of your worth. My SIL is an amazing person and I love her very much. I don't care how big she is or isn't.

I had that bmi and I was fine please don't worry. Just try to eat healthy and keep walking lots.