Anaesthetic consultation late in pregnancy

[2CheekyMonkeys]

What sort of BMI requires that?

[Bloom]

The consultation requires a BMI of 30+ at my local hospital but that was back in 2009

[AliBaby]

My BMI is 30 s I am right on the borderline. I have always been heavier thAn what I look and am quite well proportioned (the weight is spread evenly around my body but interestingly enough, I don't carry it around my middle apart from now being pregnant).

The midwife made it pretty clearly was because of my BMI that I have to have the consult. I even saw an OB at the beginning of pregnancy, my second appointment, as the same midwife said it was because of my BMI. When the OB saw me and went through my medical history and current health he said he didn't need to see me anymore and i could go through the midwives clinic. It just sucks being on the cut off line and because of a matter of 2-3kg that I am made to feel like this. Really hope I don't see the same midwife I saw yesterday for the rest of my pregnancy as she really made me feel crap about myself. Not the first time she has either.

Thanks for all of your replies. It sounds like it is going to be a waste of time. Will let you know how I go in a couple of weeks.

[beansbeans!]

I have never had to have one. But if it doesnt sit right with you, regardless of whether its hospital policy, then refuse the appt, and you have every right to do that if thats what you want to do. They cannot refuse you treatment if it isnt done, they cannot bully you into having the appt either.
And do not feel bad about your weight, or your bmi. And dont worry about that right now. You can carry this bub to term, and you can deliver this bub. xo

[AliBaby]

I have never had to have one. But if it doesnt sit right with you, regardless of whether its hospital policy, then refuse the appt, and you have every right to do that if thats what you want to do. They cannot refuse you treatment if it isnt done, they cannot bully you into having the appt either.
And do not feel bad about your weight, or your bmi. And dont worry about that right now. You can carry this bub to term, and you can deliver this bub. xo

Thanks so much Beans. I have tried to be so healthy this pregnancy. I just want positivity around me from my care providers that I can do it. Just like you said. Thanks again Hun x

[Novella]

As a nurse I know there are increased risks to anaesthics if you are overweight/obese. I think the reasoning behind the hospitals policy is as much to do with emergency anaesthic rather than how hard it would be to get an epidural in for pain management. In an emergency situation where mother or baby's life is at risk the delay trying to get a spinal block/epidural in to someone who has difficult anatomy can be life threatening, however there are risks with general anaesthetic too so a full assessment prior to birth is done to make a decision prior to a possible emergency what the best route of anaesthetic administration is in your case.

You have every right to refuse an anaesthetic assessment but make sure you discuss the reasons behing the assessment so you can make an informed decsion. Discuss it at your next appointment

[RainbowRiver]

I was told last two pregnancies I was to have a consult... Never happened. At 11 weeks this time I was told I'd see one at 38 weeks, I said no I don't want to and I won't, midwife looked over past babies and noted I never had any problems pre birth and births were straight forward, and agreed that there's no point.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Alibaby don't stress too much, even though you are borderline I guess they still have to account for you understanding of safety.
I had one with my last baby and it was basically to be told that because BMI is higher that surgery is more dangerous, and higher chance of death if any complications due to intubation being more difficult on overweight patients. It is scary but I think supposed to be about educating you to try not to have an epidural as that can slow the natural progression of labour.
They were also supposed to locate the place on my spine - i think to save time in labour as large tertiary hospital, but it never happened.
You already know that you want a natural epidural free labour so im sure it will be short and sweet for you!