So angry with my midwife!

Wait u have to be under 100kg?!

Yes complain 100%!!

Im surprised the weight is an issue?

You can refuse to be weighted at your next appointment, they can't force you to be weighted. Also you can also ask to birth outside of guidelines. They're guidelines, not the law. Ask to see where in the nice guidelines it actually says the weight limit and ask to see their policy and you can question why they have a policy in place without any evidence to suggest it needs to be there

I was slightly under the 100kg at the last weigh in but I know I will be over by birth. I questioned about refusing to be weighed any further and I was told by the birthing centre at cramlington I would be weighed prior to being allowed in the pool… I’ve asked midwives in the community, at pregnancy assessment and while on an antenatal class and have been told no under all circumstances due to policy and health and safety 😣😞 x

Seriously girls, it's absolutely shocking that they're refusing you this. It's not backed by any research whatsoever. They should have hoists and equipment available for anyone who needs lifting off beds, floors, baths etc in the hospital so absolutely question why they don't have this. If someone over 100kg collapses in a bathroom bath, how would they get them out? Look at the NICE guidelines for birthing options. Look at Dr Sara Whickham and all her findings on her website about these issues too. Ask the questions and ask take it higher x

Your midwife is out of line. But also regardless of hospital policy, you shouldn’t be denied access to the pool or access to the consultant midwife. Insist on seeing, emailing or phoning the head midwife as soon as possible because everyone involved is being ridiculous.

Wait you’re telling me that you get there in active labour and they weight you before they allow you in? It is a completely ridiculous guideline and I’m sure you can decline to follow it. 🤦🏽‍♀️

You can always ask for a home birth with your own pool and they will have to facilitate and support you in a pool. A doula told me that sometimes just the threat of this is enough to make them offer you the pool in the hospital

They all say completely different things. I asked for a water birth and was told as long as BMI is under 35 then its not a problem (sunderland) My midwife is completely useless though and has been no help whatsoever. Luckily my cousin is a midwife at the hospital so has sorted it for me x

Absolutely entitled to complaint.

I’ve spoken to the midwife and their advocate and they agreed that a consultation would take place to discuss further as the main risk is when the actual birth takes place. My argument is that shouldn’t stop me from accessing the pool for pain relief and leaving when it’s closer to push time. I’ve refused weigh ins since 35 weeks so their last recorded weight is under guidelines. Honestly, they’ve got an excuse for everything and they’ve done a great job of taking the decision away from me. We’ve already discussed alternatives hoists (denied as apparently not as efficient as the net they use and will add more time if needing to evacuate), can’t accommodate an inflatable pool in the suite due to risk of equipment damage. Unfortunately, home birth isn’t an option for me due to living arrangements. I think that I am going to put in a complaint, not because I don’t agree with the guidelines, but she’s failed to listen to me or take it further and now has taken away any possibility.

Thank you all for this post and comments, I’m pushing for an out of guidelines water-birth on the midwife led unit too (due to having GD not weight related) but this has given me the confidence that I can ask for what I want 💛 I hope you all get a chance to birth in a way that feels right for you

Contact PALS and make a complaint

It's about safety and the ability of the staff to get you out of the pool in an emergency, not about judging whether your weight is due to baby, fluid retention or anything else. Bearing in mind there's the added weight of the water too. It isn't about wanting to deny you things, it genuinely is about safety. Some places go on BMI so, if you're short, you could weigh 75kg and not be allowed in. If you're at NSECH you'll likely be referred to Aurora, who is absolutely amazing. If your community midwife hasn't referred you, contact the matron. Hoists take too long in an emergency and there isn't time to empty the pool. I've only seen 1 pool evacuation when someone had a shoulder dystocia and it wasn't easy. But she'll go through everything with you. Call PAU and ask them to refer to the PMA or call switch and ask to speak to the matron for delivery suite. Xx

Well I had no idea weight/BMI was an issue which is a bit upsetting! I’m 35 weeks and due to do my birth plan tomorrow but nobody had said to me I might be unable to use the pool 😭

https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/women-with-higher-bmi/

If someone is considered low risk and having a healthy pregnancy there should be no indication whatsoever there should be a blanket policy about it. I've just tipped over 100kg towards the end of my pregnancy (not been asked to be weighed by midwife since booking in) and I've not been denied my birth plan for a water birth. It's trust by trust policy and it's clearly not got any backing in the NICE guidelines. It should be discussed on an individual basis and be the woman's decision

@Jo thanks for the message. I discussed this and have been over the risks with them and completely understand that’s how we came to the conclusion of labouring in the water only not the final pushes as that’s when the shoulder issues would arise. But now I won’t even be able to do that because she didn’t make the appointment with the consultant. The last midwife I saw on the off chance called around to so many places to try and arrange the consult and but it’s honestly so much stress that’s not needed this close to my due date.

@Alaw does this talk about Pool use?

@Sharna have the predicted that you're at higher risk of shoulder dystocia? If they have and said the risk has doubled it still only happens in like less than 1% of births so again it should be your choice on how you interpret the information and risks and what decisions you make

@Jo its in response to the 'BMI puts you at more risk' comment which might not necessarily be the best way to look at it

The trust have said it’s the weight limit on the netting causing most the issue. I’m ok with no birthing in the pool, but like others have said, it’s got to be personalised and it shouldn’t be a blanket rule for everyone. Agree with the BMI thing though, you don’t just become a high risk due to a number on the scales so many other factors because people could be boarderline.

From what I’ve seen, it’s so the midwife’s are able to lift you out of the pool should a problem arrise

Agreed, but not relevant to this particular case. As the guideline where she is going is based on weight not BMI. There are things that having a higher bmi puts you at risk of. In pregnancy and in normal life. Yes, there are better ways of saying it and explaining it, but it is a fact. I'm saying this as someone who weighs 115kg and a BMI of 36. I am fitter and stronger than I was when I was 80kg so, in some ways, I'm better set up for pregnancy and labour. But I also accept that I am higher risk of lots of things and will do whatever it takes to reduce those risks. I'm also 39 and accept that that increases my risk of certain things too. When discussing risk, it's probably better to use the word "chance". It's not a guarantee, the chance of getting certain things might only be a little bit higher than the general population. But it's not something that can be ignored either.

Agreed, but it’s a discussion, not a blanket for everyone. I’m just angry I’ve been hit with the blanket rule because of my midwife not listening or doing their job by not referring me to a consultant (who others have successfully organised an out of guidelines labour and/or birth with after discussing their individual circumstances to determine the level of risk / chance)

@Alexandra that’s shocking! It’s honestly a nightmare the amount of stress involved in this!

@Sharna I've sent you a message lovely. I work at Cramlington. Xx

The consultant has just let me be referred back to the birth unit, which I only wanted due to wanting a water birth so I’ll be gutted if they tell me I can’t due to my BMI 😫. I was already on consultant due to high BMI and have put on about 2 stone extra already 🥲 (everything has been fine with scans and my health which is why I’m allowed back on birth unit) x

@Julia did your consultant know the water birth is why you wanted to be referred back?

@Aimee I did mention it and even throughout to my midwife that it’s what I wanted as used it during my first birth x