Positive birth stories with raised BMI: Claire

Do you want to read positive birth stories with raised BMI? This story is from Claire and the arrival of her second baby. Claire had a raised BMI and felt empowered to make choices for her birth. She gave birth on a midwife-led unit following an out-patient induction. 

“The first thing I would say is whilst being given the label of having a raised BMI the positives are that you get extra care along the way. This is good news for you as mum and care for your baby early on.

I had a raised BMI with both my pregnancies. As a result had extra growth scans, another plus; you get to see your baby growing more often!

My first birth

My first pregnancy I was induced at 40 + 14 days. It was a slow process and took 2 days of pessaries to get down to delivery suite. It was our very own Beth (from The Bump to Baby Chapter) who I met on this journey.

Having a baby on delivery suite was a bit more of a clinical experience. However, the care I had was amazing. I had access to the experience and expertise of the health care professionals in Gloucester which for my first birth was really reassuring for me. This felt like I was in the right place for all the eventualities. I opted for an epidural early on in delivery because I’d been awake for what felt like days. I was tired and everything hurt!

The epidural worked a treat but also slowed things down. Molly (now 5) arrived on day 3 of induction with a ventuse and I had an episiotomy. Recovery was fairly tough as I was anaemic and had an infection but…. I was accepting of my need to be on delivery suite and totally went with the flow, this was important to me to try and stay as calm as possible.

My 2nd birth

With my second birth more recently, again I was under a consultant but as I’d had another normal pregnancy and no obvious additional concerns. Given my raised BMI it was agreed that I could go to a birth unit providing I went into labour naturally. This included going into labour with an out-patient induction. I had additional growth scans again and discrepancies with measuring on scans threw some wild cards up along the way which meant more scans with consultants. This to me was just brilliant care, a raised BMI meant that things would be given extra scrutiny and a double check which I don’t think you can be disappointed with.

So once again my babies like to stay inside as long as possible we got to 40 + 12 and I had an out patients induction. So went in at lunchtime had the pessary and came home. Was in labour by 6pm and on my way to the hospital (birth unit) by 9.30pm.

This labour was so different because I’d had the epidural so early on with my first I had no idea what a peak contraction felt like!!

Hypnobirthing

Also this time around I really thought I wanted to go through the labour differently. To be more in control and not go for the drugs too early on. I’d done The Bump to Baby hypnobirthing course so this time I was armed with different tools, so much more than NCT (albeit great) gave me from my first time around.

I spent some time in the water which was amazing. I know this isn’t always offered to those with a raised BMI. Depending on protocols and if you have an epidural it’s out the question but it did help to a point, as did the gas and air. I reached a peak and didn’t realise at the time, I was transitioning!! So had got out the water to be checked (and I was asking for an epidural!) To be told I was too late and a few more contractions and Henry arrived, really quite swiftly! I breathed his head out (slight burning sensation ladies…) and a couple of pushes and he was here.

So 2 completely different birth experiences incomparable really. I feel very fortunate as Gloucestershire, where we are based, really looked after us. Embrace the extra care you get with a raised BMI. I think both my experiences are proof things can go either way when you have a raised BMI. You can have as close to the birth that you want despite the risk factors.

Want to know more about your options for birth with raised BMI? Have a read of this blog called Can I birth on a birth unit with raised BMI?