UK mum Only - appointment feed back anesthesiologist

I had a face to face appointment and this is my second plus size pregnancy so we went through the previous birth and if I needed interventions from them which I didn’t. They also had a feel of my back in the case that I need an epidural or spinal as they said they would try to avoid a general anaesthetic if possible Due to risks from being bigger. I had a positive experience this time so far, due to have baby in a matter of weeks so Fingers crossed all ok

I’m plus size and haven’t been told I need one 🤷🏼‍♀️ didn’t know they were a thing lol, fingers crossed all goes okay for you x

I felt so judged at my appointment! I said I didn't want any epidurals or an elective c-section and just sort of felt shamed :/ they felt my spine and sounded surprised when they actually COULD feel my vertebrae and ended up telling me that most plus size women "can't cope" with labour and end up needing a c-section anyway, and that it was basically a 50/50 chance whether I'd be able to give birth or just need a C-section. I ended up leaving feeling quite deflated honestly

@Chloe, you're lucky you got a face to face appointment. My midwife asked for face to face but still gave me a phone call. I even said to them that they can't make a decision on a number and that why requested a face to face appointment but still went on about risks. No decision on putting a plan together just incase.

If you don't want one then don't have one. The decision is yours. They had problems getting mine in ( despite me telling my midwife I didn't really want one and forcing it upon me) and I wasnt plus size with my first. I had to lay down on my side. Yet, when I had a spinal block for section they got it it easier. I think it depends on whoever doing it aswell as mine had switched shifts.

@Jade What annoys me is how they know you won't be able to cope through the labour as a plus-size woman. Just plus size does mean can't give birth. My baby is in the correct position and the size he should be for his gestational age. He's not small or large. It annoys me that say plus size woman have large babies too. I just feel so defeated and still no further in what plan if I need an emergency c-section.

They did the same to me. I can’t speak for you and I don’t want to invalidate your feelings but I promise you they aren’t judging you. They said to me early epidural is an option and probably the best option, he felt my back to see if they’d need an ultrasound to get to the gaps in my spine, etc etc. in the end, I did technically have an early epidural but purely out of choice as everything went wrong in labour, I was in so much pain and my baby was in distress. It’s all a choice, but it’s so that they can react quicker if something goes left.

I had one and they were horrendous to me! I left the appointment in tears! I had a planned section due to baby being breech. All I have to say is the real anesthesiologist in theatre knows exactly what they’re doing! The guy who did mine didn’t once mention my size he just got on with the job. He got it 1st time and job was done. He looked after me so well and didn’t once make me feel shit for being chubby! BMI is so out of date now they really need to scrap it and look at each pregnancy objectively. My baby was 6lbs born too….so they can suck it!!!

@Kayleigh thank you for the message, but I haven't even seen some person for them to check if going to be difficult to put in. I agree they probably aren't judging me, but the way he worded things sounds like he got one way and didn't want to consider anything else. They left quite late to get in touch with me as well. I am full term next week.

@Angharad that agree with a out BMI. They need to see people as individuals because my pregnancy has gone so straightforward.

@Jessie I was told to think about it and come back! I spoke to my mum about it (she's bigger than I am) and she's had SIX entirely healthy pregnancies and given birth to six babies without an epidural or c-section (planned or emergency) and had the same treatment every time - always told to go for an elective section and if not, get an early epidural in case she needs an emergency section :( it's so disheartening

@Jade they told me to come back when I've thought about it, but I was told by my midwife to stay at home till contracts closer together, so how early on do they do it.

@Jessie I'm not actually too sure how early they do it! but honestly if you have your mind made up I'd do your best to dig your heels in and make yourself heard (I'm currently doing my best to do the same)

@Jessie yes exactly! My pregnancy was absolutely straight forward apart from sickness throughout. So they really shouldn’t judge on those stupid numbers.

@Jade I did say to him, I am not against having epidual or spinal if needed for an emergency. Im happy to do anything that allows my baby to arrive safely but I am not taking early epidual to suit them because easier for Dr.

Apparently anesthesiologists aren't convinced that bmi makes much of a difference, it's the guidelines that say so, and basically they just sign the form as a tick box exercise. I thought the same was going to happen but they just need to check for any risk factors like wobbly teeth before so its on file but honestly my Dr just said "if you want a epidural ask for one early in case we can't make it" and that was it!!

@Jessie they did mine later on too, it’s very strange that it was just a call consultation rather than physical because they checked my mouth, neck, and other things to see if I’d be ok if they needed to put a tube down my throat.

Ive got high bmi. Ive had 3 vaginal births. 2 of which completely healthy and the one that developed an issue was nothing to do with my weight but our blood types dont match. Ive had a big, normal and small sized baby. Theyre all healthy. I birth very easily and fast. My body has no issues with pregnancy and labour, its my husband whos the issue giving my children a different blood type 🤣

I've got a bmi 41 - was told I'd get an app to chat about it, but think they must have forgot. During labour there was no pressure about any type of pain relief Needed a spinal block in the end - anesthetist asked before he give me it if i was aware any issues - along with other standard questions -I said I'd been told because high bmi - he dismissed it straight away and said that's nothing. They're just following guidelines and making aware of worst case scenarios to protect the NHS. Same when I saw on my notes that they said scans aren't as accurate due to bmi and may have missed something- this one really stressed me out. Try forget that experience, overall it doesn't matter and it's your choice for pain relief. Go into delivery feeling positive and excited to meet your baby x

@Ebony-Rose aww thank you for the message. Such a positive story. I need to read this. I had such a positive outlook on birth after speaking with a midwife from Athena Clinic. This has certainly given me some positive out look back. Thank you.

@Ruby thank you for this. He didn't say anything about pain relief. He was going on about me having emergency c section because, supposedly, I am more likely because of high bmi. When I've know loads people with high bmi that had babies naturally without.

@Jade I’m on my 3rd baby. My first I had to have an epidural because she had done a poop in her waters so they had to speed things up. 2nd was 4 hours begining to end just gas and air. So who knows what’s gunna happen with this one 😂🤷🏼‍♀️

With my first I had an anaesthetic appt and felt the same as you. They basically went through all the reasons I should have an early epidural as “most plus size women struggle to give birth naturally and end in complications” 🤷‍♀️ Most appointments I left crying and made to feel guilty for being plus size and getting pregnant. This time I have another anaesthetic appointment, I’m going to listen and be polite but no one is going to take the joy out of this pregnancy for me. Please try not to overthink it. Birth is unpredictable whatever your size. No one can plan for it. P.s I had a “normal” vaginal delivery with my first from my fabulous plus size body 🤣