Pregnancy lifestyle clinic
If you are overweight or obese and pregnant, there are lots of reasons why it's important to manage your weight.
Research has shown that women who have a high BMI at the start
of their pregnancy have an increased risk of complications during
pregnancy, labour and birth.
Body mass index (BMI)
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a calculation that works out
whether you are a healthy weight for your height. For
pregnant women your BMI calculation will be based on your weight at
your 12 week scan. It will be classed according to the
following groups:
18.5 or less = underweight
Between 18.5 and 24.9 = healthy
weight
Between 25 and 29.9 = overweight
Over 30 = obese
Click here to
calculate your BMI.
BMI over 35 at booking?
If your BMI is 35 or above at booking, you will be offered an
appointment with the specialist midwife in our lifestyle
clinic. Your healthcare professionals will not judge you for
being overweight and will give you all the support that you
need. The appointment will be about the extra care and
surveillance you will be offered in this pregnancy.
You will also be referred to a consultant obstetrician, as well
as receiving continuing support from the lifestyle midwife to try
to help minimize the risk of complications in this and any future
pregnancy.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists offer
advice and information here
on the subject of why your weight matters during pregnancy and
after birth.
Frequently asked questions
Q. I'm overweight and worried how this might affect my
pregnancy. Should I go on a diet?
A. Dieting or losing weight during pregnancy is not recommended
as it may harm your unborn baby. But if you are overweight or obese
and pregnant, making healthy changes to your diet can help you not
to gain any weight, and you might even lose a small amount. The
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that this is
not harmful.
The most important thing is to keep your weight gain to a safe
and healthy level for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor or
midwife if you're worried about how much weight you should be
putting on and they will be able to advise and reassure you about
what is right for you. If your BMI was over 35 at
booking, you will receive extra care and support during
your pregnancy through our Pregnancy
Lifestyle clinic.
Q. My BMI at booking was over 30. What dose of folic acid
should I take?
A. Folic acid is important for pregnancy as it can help
prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, which can cause
conditions such as spina bifida. The following are reasons
you may need to take the larger dose (5 milligrams) of
folic acid:
- you have a raised BMI of over 30
- you have had a baby with spina bifida
- you have diabetes
- you are taking medicine for epilepsy
- you have coeliac disease
Please contact your GP as this dose is only available on
prescription