[MrsLexiK]

Why was I never weighed in either of my pregnancies?

Just to add my OB only weighed me last time to see how I was going, I have no idea how the hospital is going to know what my starting weight was. The OB took it as I told him didn't double check or anything. He only checked because we are getting to the point of needing to go through birthing choices and the like and wanted to see I was tracking along like I told him I was. It is only because I am closeish to the BMI that it is a worry, if I was 5-10kgs lighter I doubt he would have weighed me.

[Nataliah]

Because it isn't routine in most places anymore Starletta. I believe some of the smaller hospitals which strictly adhere to BMI status will insist their doctors do it....... I do not believe any of my DD's were ever weighed in any of their 6 pregnancies in 5 different facilities.
Weight will often only be recorded if there is a history of medical issues due to obesity or the Obstetrician is concerned that the pre pregnancy weight may impact the outcome of the pregnancy.

Back in the 'old days' way too much emphasis was put on weighing mothers to the point we were finding women with ketones in their urine as a result of fasting before their ante natal appointments so it was decided it had more possible negative outcomes than positive.
ETA-I was weighed religiously every single visit 2 decades ago and it was very anxiety inducing

There seems to be a renewed focus on BMI in NSW hospitals. I believe it's only a big deal because I am at a low risk facility. My mum is an ED nurse in a NSW hospital and they're now expected to calculate BMI for every patient presenting to ED. She hates it, says its it completely rediculous to try to weigh and measure many patients and adds no value. Can you imagine an elderly patient with a suspected fractured hip? Bizarre

[JBaby]

I was weighed at every antenatal appointment as a public patient in a medium sized wa hospital. However despite being obese none of the midwives or obs ever actually mentioned or discussed my weight....will be interesting to see if that's what happens this time around with #2 2 years later

[handsfull]

A BMI of 35 (sometimes 40 in larger regional areas) is the cut off for "low risk" pregnancies and being able to access midwife led care/birth centre's. If you are over that point you will usually be referred to a larger tertiary hospital. Not unusual - just not talked about http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/too-fat...j-1225962014007

This.

My SIL has a very high BMI and she was only able to look at going to 2 maternity hospitals in Melbourne to deliver. Due to her BMI and medical conditions this created she lost the baby. But when she was looking around at Drs to take her on it was very hard to find a OB who would.

You say you have put on 20kg in 30 or so weeks, that is a lot and even though you are a size 14 maternity I take it your stature is small. BMI is based on weight and height and what appropriate weight you should be. If you now have a higher BMI now then yes you are more at risk for various things, DVT, anaesthetic, birthing problems etc.

Not silly just them being practical in your care and in the best interests of your unborn child.

[soontobegran]

There seems to be a renewed focus on BMI in NSW hospitals. I believe it's only a big deal because I am at a low risk facility. My mum is an ED nurse in a NSW hospital and they're now expected to calculate BMI for every patient presenting to ED. She hates it, says its it completely rediculous to try to weigh and measure many patients and adds no value. Can you imagine an elderly patient with a suspected fractured hip? Bizarre

I wonder if it is just hospital specific Nataliah?
I just can't see the logic and what an amazing waste of time and resources.

[handsfull]

In Melbourne there is a weight limit for hospitals as this is what my SIL found. Once you hit 100-110kg you had to go to the higher level hospital and when you got higher than that then it became trickier even still.

[fooiesmum]

At soontobegran - there are a lot of hospitals with maternity BMI restrictions now, I have a lot listed on my businesses FB page, PM me if you'd like a link. Distressing for high BMI mums - there's a recent study by Sydney Medical School that suggests that BMI isn't the best way to categorize women as high risk - http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=10274

[Wildence]

Interesting thread!

Pre pregnancy I was considered as a little underweight and now I guess I am overweight. So far I have gained 17kg, and still have another 5 weeks to go.

Normally during my appointments with my midwife (midwifery group practice, you have to be considered as a low risk in order to use this program) i am the one complaining about my weight gain. Not once has she asked me to weight myself!

I know in some countries in Europe, during your appointments they measure your weight.

[tiggywinkle]

I am weighed at every single appointment with my OB, and was last pregnancy too. I was not overweight in either pregnancy (currently 62kg at 28 weeks) and am birthing at a large private hospital.

I had no idea that this wasn't the norm.

This post has been edited by tiggywinkle: 09/02/2013, 01:01 AM