thread: Larger women in pregnancy...

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Perth Western Australia
    1,697

    I haven't felt discriminated as such, but I have had to own the situation IYKWIM, alot of hospital have a BMI cut off, so if you are over their cut off you won't be allowed to give birth there, I have had to do the GTT in all 3 pregnancies, I am classed as 'high risk' even though I have have had 2 very normal vaginal births. I have been pro- active though, and I went in on the offensive rather than the defensive, saying I thought it was a good idea to see the hospital dietician and asking what I could do to keep my weight gain low. I think if you go in knowing that there are some limitations placed on woman who are heavier, and be pro-active about it then you feel much better. Unfortunatly it is not a case of what whether it is right or wrong that these limitations are placed on larger woman, it is a case of just accepting what is, and empowering yourself to make the best of the situation.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Nov 2004
    WA
    414

    Never had any comments or problems, stayed 110kg with DD, and actually lost some with DS with ms the whole time. I had an emergency CS with DD and an elective one with DS.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Probably down to the individual hospital / caregivers I guess... I was 110 when I fell PG, I was weighed at my initial appt & again at my 41 week appt & not in between
    My weight wasn't mentioned once & I had a successful VBAC.

    ETA - actually, the Dr I saw at my 41 week appt was on the phone to someone asking a question, I can't remember about what now & he mentioned my BMI to them (it was over 40 I think). That was the only time I even had a hint that anyone thought it might be a problem.

    ITA with the others, don't put up with any rude treatment. Myself, I would be happy to hear constructive advice or instructions, but no-one should make you feel crappy.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Nov 2009
    In Paradise
    2,022

    I think they'll only say something if they are worried you are putting on too much weight too quickly in pregnancy for the babies sake

    if you go in there at a certain weight they can only expect that you'll put on more, I had the opposite problem, they were complaining I was unhealthy for not putting enough on last time

    Best of Luck and I'd definately stand up for yourself if they say anything

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Member
    Add Party-of-five on Facebook

    Sep 2008
    bunbury WA
    2,114

    the only time i felt discriminated was when I was told we couldnt have DD1 at the private hospital here unless i wanted a CS!!! the labour beds where only rated to 120kgs!! that was the reason I was given. I hovered around the 120 mark with DD1.
    But I had no problems at all once i moved over to the public and even though with DD2 i was lighter I chose to go public because I'd had such a good experience with DD1.
    Try not to let your fears overshadow your excitement

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Add Little Chicken on Facebook

    Mar 2010
    Melbourne
    1,855

    I think it does greatly depend on your care givers and how they react. I am currently 150kg and 38 weeks with my second bub, I had GP shared care until 36 weeks. Yes he weighed me and did my BP every visit but never mentioned my weight and my BP has always been normal or slightly low through out the pregnancy. It wasn't until I started going to the hospital antenatal clinic that I felt it was a big issue. I had my last baby at KEMH in perth and it wasn't made a big deal of, here I had to go have a pre-aneasthetic clinic visit in case I want an epidural. They even asked me if I thought I would need one, I mean jeez I don't know, I am not in labour yet. I did get the faintest of hints that if I was seeing them throughout I might have been transferred somewhere else but know it is to late. Yes it might mean you can't birth where you want but it doesn't mean you can't have the birth you want and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.