I'm feeling sensitive and need to let it out - pregnancy

j.e.j.

Person_one wrote: »

BMI isn't used in pregnancy, your pre/early pregnancy weight would be recorded and they'd use that for monitoring.

I'd have thought it was obvious that there are situations where BMI isn't used because it isn't appropriate, they don't use it for amputees either, or when people are oedematous after chemo for example.

OP is almost half way through the pregnancy, though. And they're still using her BMI score.

Person_one

j.e.j. wrote: »

OP is almost half way through the pregnancy, though. And they're still using her BMI score.

The one from before she was pregnant or newly pregnant, I imagine.

thatgirlsam

Person_one wrote: »

BMI isn't used in pregnancy, your pre/early pregnancy weight would be recorded and they'd use that for monitoring.

I'd have thought it was obvious that there are situations where BMI isn't used because it isn't appropriate, they don't use it for amputees either, or when people are oedematous after chemo for example.

Actually for every admission into hospital during a pregnancy we will re-calculate BMI.

Just as a general guide. It's mainly for ordering things like Nimbus Mattresses, patients above a certain BMI/Weight need to have one. Pregnancy has nothing to do with this as the mattress doesn't care!

Person_one

thatgirlsam wrote: »

Actually for every admission into hospital during a pregnancy we will re-calculate BMI.

Just as a general guide. It's mainly for ordering things like Nimbus Mattresses, patients above a certain BMI/Weight need to have one. Pregnancy has nothing to do with this as the mattress doesn't care!

I wouldn't have thought BMI was remotely useful for ordering mattresses. I've never used it for that purpose, you need actual kilograms. The weight of someone with a BMI of 30 or 35 could vary massively!

I don't actually know what a Nimbus mattress is though...

We only use BMI to screen for risk of malnutrition.

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Noodles as long as baby is growing well and you are eating well and are feeling healthy don't worry. It seems to me that drs like to pick on something if they can. I was a 14 prepregnancy and 5ft6 and BMI was 26. Haven't weighed myself since though! And BMI now won't be accurate I'm now 30 weeks. a local midwife said that a lot of the ladies they now look after are 'clinically obese' so it's not as if they have no experience. Now is not the time to be starting a cabbage diet!
If you've a free minute why don't you pop over and say hi on the pregnancy thread? We're a friendly bunch if not a bit mad! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3737871

thatgirlsam

Person_one wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought BMI was remotely useful for ordering mattresses. I've never used it for that purpose, you need actual kilograms. The weight of someone with a BMI of 30 or 35 could vary massively!

I don't actually know what a Nimbus mattress is though...

We only use BMI to screen for risk of malnutrition.

Its just a pressure releiving air mattress

Thinking about it, you're right. We check weight, anyone over a certain number of kilos should have the mattress. But we do re-calculate the BMI based on the new weight. Not to change it. the original BMI at booking will still be in the notes. It must be to look at the weight gain ranges? Hmmm

Edit - It is recalculated during the pregnancy so that the woman can be referred for GTT - Glucose Tolerance Test, if need be or for an anesthetic review

I had to google that (embarressed)

hngrymummy

embob74 wrote: »

From the overweight people I have know it has never been that much of an issue with regards to childbirth. They have not been any less able to birth nor to breathe properly.
I find it more of an issue that there seems to be a trend towards more medicalised care of pregnant women and any reason seems to be given.
The biggest cause of complication in labour IMO is medical intervention. You have one and it leads to another....which leads to another....

As has already been mentioned, a higher BMI can lead to GD, and can also lead to the woman having a higher BP. BMI needs to be taken in to account when anaesthetics, epidurals and surgery are needed so that the appropriate amount at the appropriate time is used. It's not about 'making' the woman have medical intervention, it's about ensuring that any medical intervention necessary is appropriate. Because of my low BMI, the MW who delivered my last baby kept a close eye on my energy levels, as she knew I could tire easily.

These days MWs are also looking at emotional well-being. A pregnant mother with a high or low BMI might be more at risk from feeling low, especially with hormones as they are and with the change in body size and shape that comes from being pregnant.

OP I would suggest that you try and bite the bullet and tell the MW how the comments make you feel. She may change how she interacts with you, in which case, great. Or if she doesn't, you know to ask for a different MW.

Eat as healthily as you can (I know it can be hard. At the moment all I can eat is cheesecake and applejuice. Everything else makes me sick), take the suppliments you need, and keep a positive attitude.

Person_one

hngrymummy wrote: »

BMI needs to be taken in to account when anaesthetics, epidurals and surgery are needed so that the appropriate amount at the appropriate time is used. It's not about 'making' the woman have medical intervention, it's about ensuring that any medical intervention necessary is appropriate. Because of my low BMI, the MW who delivered my last baby kept a close eye on my energy levels, as she knew I could tire easily.

Its weight, not BMI, that matters for those things. You give drugs per kilogram, not per BMI point!

I do agree with your advice to chat with the midwife next time you see her, they are on your side, or that's the idea! Having an open and honest conversation about the issue and clearing the air would probably make you feel a lot better.

thatgirlsam

Person_one wrote: »

Its weight, not BMI, that matters for those things. You give drugs per kilogram, not per BMI point!

I do agree with your advice to chat with the midwife next time you see her, they are on your side, or that's the idea! Having an open and honest conversation about the issue and clearing the air would probably make you feel a lot better.

They do use BMI for anesthetic review though. It seems to be more clinically relevant to avoid complications. I'm guessing compromised airway, risk of hypertension/tachycardia in the obese patient

dizsiebubba

thatgirlsam wrote: »

They do use BMI for anesthetic review though. It seems to be more clinically relevant to avoid complications. I'm guessing compromised airway, risk of hypertension/tachycardia in the obese patient

My notes have a RAG rating for BMI and it says if you are in either amber or red for your BMI you have to see the specialist consultant... it doesn't ask about the weight, jut the BMI recorded at your booking appt.