Weighty Issues...

[Guppy051708]

Well got the results of GTT from midwives and all was normal - no gestational diabetes here. The midwives told me that they had a plan in place, but to go along with consultant for timebeing.

The next step was going to the consultant today for the results - they were normal and it was like seeing a different woman. She said, it's good news the results were normal and I've spoken to your community midwife team and I am completely happy to support your homebirth!

Woo hoo! So it just goes to show that with a supportive team of midwives you can definitely still have a home birth!

I will be 37 weeks on Monday, but hoping this little one hangs around until after my sister's wedding on 26th April. Will keep you all posted on how it goes!

Excellent news! im so happy for you!

 

[MrsTurner2012]

Well got the results of GTT from midwives and all was normal - no gestational diabetes here. The midwives told me that they had a plan in place, but to go along with consultant for timebeing.

The next step was going to the consultant today for the results - they were normal and it was like seeing a different woman. She said, it's good news the results were normal and I've spoken to your community midwife team and I am completely happy to support your homebirth!

Woo hoo! So it just goes to show that with a supportive team of midwives you can definitely still have a home birth!

I will be 37 weeks on Monday, but hoping this little one hangs around until after my sister's wedding on 26th April. Will keep you all posted on how it goes!

Brilliant news!

I bet you feel on top of the world!

 

[MandaAnda]

How are you all?

Just to say, my BMI was 32 at my booking appointment. The midwife said she'd need to refer me to the consultant as a result. I asked why. She said it is in their new guidelines (was the same weight with booking for my angel in September and in 2009 for my son without it triggering a referral). She said the consultant would discuss healthy eating options, etc. I reassured her that I know how to eat well, usually do, had lost half a stone before BFP and have a very fit military hubby that can keep me in check. I declined the referral.

I just wanted to share that so that you're aware that these referrals are optional. You can decline or accept future ones. The same with GTT (if you've no indication of GD, what are you looking for? research how it works, if it's reliable, etc.) and weight guesstimation scans (those scans are often very out).

I wish you all the best whatever choices you make but thought I'd share as well as someone who is also considered high BMI.

Oh, and this is worth a read: https://homebirthersandhopefuls.com/can-i-still-have-a-homebirth/high-bmi/

 

[MrsTurner2012]

When I saw my midwife last week she said the door isn't shut for my HB but we can't make any deacons until nearer the time so I have to just be patient! :0(

 

[summer rain]

How are you all?

Just to say, my BMI was 32 at my booking appointment. The midwife said she'd need to refer me to the consultant as a result. I asked why. She said it is in their new guidelines (was the same weight with booking for my angel in September and in 2009 for my son without it triggering a referral). She said the consultant would discuss healthy eating options, etc. I reassured her that I know how to eat well, usually do, had lost half a stone before BFP and have a very fit military hubby that can keep me in check. I declined the referral.

I just wanted to share that so that you're aware that these referrals are optional. You can decline or accept future ones. The same with GTT (if you've no indication of GD, what are you looking for? research how it works, if it's reliable, etc.) and weight guesstimation scans (those scans are often very out).

I wish you all the best whatever choices you make but thought I'd share as well as someone who is also considered high BMI.

Oh, and this is worth a read: https://homebirthersandhopefuls.com/can-i-still-have-a-homebirth/high-bmi/

I had the same type of booking midwife with my last baby, in that NHS trust the BMI cut off was 35 and I think I was just under 30 so not even in their grey area of between 30 and 35. The booking midwife was a right cow and guessed my weight as being at a level where my BMI was about 23 as that is what I looked like; when I was honest and told her what it was she totally switched on me saying I would have to see a specialist dietician as I needed to know how to eat healthily in pregnancy as clearly I didn't know. Also I shouldn't have got pregnant to begin with but 'too late now'. She also said because I had suffered from depression in the past I was at high risk of suffering from severe depression during pregnancy even though I hadn't in any of my other pregnancies nor had I suffered from PND so she said she'd have to refer me to a special psychiatric team for pregnancy whom I later found out are usually those that women with serious ongoing mental health problems are referred to. She then said I was even higher risk as one of my children had been born close to 10lb but he wasn't over 10lb which was the risk cut off. She point blank refused to not put the referrals through but said if one of the other midwives decided to change it then that was up to them. Thankfully the hospital midwife at my 16 week appointment scribbled it all out right away saying it was ridiculous and if anything I would be told I was wasting the various consultants' time and that would be unfair. I was still bullied into having the GTT though Thank God they changed the NHS trust boundaries because the one I am under now it is 100% optional whether you have the GTT, get referred for anything and they don't class you as high risk based on taking single factors in isolation xx

 

[MandaAnda]

When I saw my midwife last week she said the door isn't shut for my HB but we can't make any deacons until nearer the time so I have to just be patient! :0(

Well, it's a good thing you don't have to wait on her to make your own decisions. And it's a good thing that she can only advise, not decide for you. xx

 

[irish_cob]

My BMI was 37 at booking with both my pregnancies and I went for a home birth even though it was against the obstetrician's ideas and the community midwives who came on the day were amazing, didn't mention my weight at all. I had to transfer for an emergency section in the end but that was nothing to do with my weight either, it was because of fetal mal positioning, she'd got stuck basically. So don't let your weight be used as a weapon against you, it's always your decision.

 

[MrsTurner2012]

Hey ladies!

I've decided I am defo going ahead with the HB!

If I have to be transferred to hospital then so be it but I'd rather stay at home and be with the family afterward instead of being stuck in hospital all alone! :0)

Just need to get the Ok off consultant & midwife!

My midwife is supporting me though so when we have to go higher she'll have my back :0)

 

[MandaAnda]

Very excited for you. Just remember that the consultant and midwife can advise. You're the only one who can ok anything. I can't remember if I linked this before, but you'll find lots of support here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeBirthersAndHopefuls/

 

[MrsTurner2012]

Brilliant thanks! I've requested to join :0)

Told hubby this morn as well and he is in full support!

 

[MrsTurner2012]

Have my growth scan a week on weds and an appointment with the consultant who I need to plead with to support my HB.

At my 32 week midwife appointment she said there is no reason really other than BMI that should stop me.

I tried to diet though & eat healthy to control weight and then ketones showed up in my wee so I'm back to snacking because I'm scared ill hurt baby!

We shall see anyway! I'm just keeping everything crossed

 

[MandaAnda]

Hun, please be aware that those growth scans can be very out! And you don't *have* to attend the scan or the consultant appointment. If you choose to, that's one thing. But it's your decision. If you make the informed choice to decline the scan and/or consultant appointment, they still have a duty of care to you to attend you at home when you call them in labour. ((Hugs))

 

[MrsTurner2012]

I did consider not going incase they got the measurements out bit then do I not look a bit irresponsible?

I hate this constant battle!

 

[MandaAnda]

Not if it's an informed choice. Do YOU feel like that would be irresponsible? If you feel it isn't needed and could cause more stress, you may choose to decline. They offer it to you as their recommendation. You're not forced to do it, although they can make it feel like we don't have a choice. Join this group and have a chat hun. https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeBirthersAndHopefuls/ There are all sorts of home birther hopefuls in there with a variety of backgrounds, quite a few doulas and a few midwives even. It's a safe space and a wealth of info. xx

 

[MrsTurner2012]

I've joined already. Great group.

I'll speak to my husband about it this week.

I'm not huge and highly doubt it's going to be a big baby.

I don't wanna piss anyone off though at the same time! Want full support.

I know the consultant is going to put a dampner on HB again but as long as I'm prepared for that and an just try and ignore it I should be ok!

Just have to re convince the hubby!x

 

[MrsTurner2012]

Just had a call from the hospital to say my consultant appointment has been cancelled.
I still have my scan and then see a midwife. I'm hoping she will be able to give me an answer and get me discharged from consultant care!

 

[irish_cob]

I would not go. I'm disgusted with some of the treatment I've had from the NHS over the last 21 months and so I'm turning away from them more and more this pregnancy. I'm pregnant, not ill. I've switched midwives to a onetoone midwife which is brilliant because my scan is at their business centre, not a hospital and my MW will be there so we can discuss any issues raised immediately rather than have to be sent home and wait for a consultant appt. I've already declined one consultant appt and unless I really need to see an expert, say there are abnormalities identified in the baby then I would see a specialist but otherwise I won't. I'm declining the GTT too. Why does it matter if they think you're irresponsible? As long as you're happy with your decisions, that's what matters. They can't do anything to you. As long as you are not mentally insane you are entitled to make your own decisions about your body and that includes your pregnancy xx

 

[MrsTurner2012]

Thank you.

They can't stop me from having my HB so i am going to plough on through with that as my choice.

No matter the outcome of the scan (I'd like to see my boy again so going to have it for selfish reasons) ill still push for it.

I don't think I've come across one person who's scan has been accurate so ill take results with a pinch of salt.

Ill update next week

Thanks again x x

 

[MandaAnda]

Best wishes. Thinking of you!

 

[MrsTurner2012]

Had my growth scan... 95th percentile.

I had a good cry at the dr. She was a bitch.

Luckily hubby was was there to back me up & fight my case for me!

But still they are only advising against a HB due to BMI which I'm not taking as an excuse so currently still pushing ahead with HB!

Seeing MW today to hopefully start the process!