NEWS: Pregnant woman too fat for hospital

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html

I am floored by this story - taken from my hometown's [Melbourne, Australia]
daily paper. Although I have no idea what my BMI is, I would not be
surprised if it was around 40 right now too. However, my blood pressure is
fine and I have no other health problems [I sailed through the GD screening
test.] If my doctor told me I was more likely to have a complicated birth I
would ask him to prove it.
The hospital has told her to lose 8kgs during her final 2 months of
pregnancy. Wow.

13jun05

A PREGNANT woman says she has been told she cannot have her baby in a
Werribee hospital because she is too fat.

The woman, only identified as Lisa, today said she was told she would not be
admitted to Werribee Mercy Hospital because her body mass index (BMI) was
41.
A healthy BMI - a measure of body fat - is between 20 and 25 in men and
women, and under 40 in pregnant women. A figure above that indicates a
person is overweight.
Lisa, who is 31 weeks into her third pregnancy, weighs 110kg.
The hospital has confirmed it does not take mothers-to-be with a BMI above
40, saying it does not have the facilities to cope with the increased risks.
Lisa told Southern Cross radio today that she had already filled out the
paperwork and participated in a hospital survey before she was taken by a
hospital staff member to a room to be weighed and have her height checked.
"She weighed and measured me, then sat down with her calculator and worked
it out and just told me sorry you're 41," Lisa said.
She said she was told by the staff member she would have to lose 8kg if she
wanted to have her baby delivered at Werribee Mercy hospital.
"I've only got nine or 10 weeks left in my pregnancy, basically that's drop
a kilo a week."
Lisa told the staff member she could not do it and that she did not believe
she had put on too much weight during the pregnancy.
She asked what would happen as she had already filled out the paperwork and
alleged the staff member then told her they would tear it up.
Director of medical services at Werribee Mercy Hospital, Dr Peter Longmore,
confirmed the hospital did have a policy of not accepting pregnant women who
had a BMI of more than 40.
Dr Longmore said the risks during delivery were significantly higher for
women who were overweight.
"Women who have a high BMI usually have larger babies and that causes
difficulty during delivery," he said.
He said the hospital did not have intensive care or neo-natal facilities if
the baby or mother needed emergency treatment.
Neo-natal facilities are provided at the Royal Women's hospital, Monash
Medical Centre and the Mercy Women's hospital in Melbourne.
Dr Longmore said pregnant women with a BMI over 40 also had an increased
risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems.
Lisa said no-one from the hospital explained the risks to her.
"Had I been sat down and said look Lisa you've got high blood pressure or
you've had an emergency cesarean before or you're overweight, we don't want
to risk you being here, lets send you to the women's (Royal Women's
hospital) that's fair enough ... instead of turning me away."
Dr Longmore said he was not personally involved in Lisa's case so he could
not comment on whether or not the hospital had explained the reasons for her
being turned away.
"If the communication was lacking when she turned up then we need to look at
that," Dr Longmore said.
"Obesity is a problem, it is important that patients need to know about the
risks," he said.
AAP


--
Jacqueline
#1 Due late Jul/early Aug

"Cuddlefish" wrote in message
news:%U8re.1663555$8l.215764@pd7tw1no...
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html

I am floored by this story - taken from my hometown's [Melbourne,
Australia] daily paper. Although I have no idea what my BMI is, I would
not be surprised if it was around 40 right now too. However, my blood
pressure is fine and I have no other health problems [I sailed through the
GD screening test.] If my doctor told me I was more likely to have a
complicated birth I would ask him to prove it.
The hospital has told her to lose 8kgs during her final 2 months of
pregnancy. Wow.

Just following up my own article... My BMI is 37 at the moment [I'm 33
weeks]. Phew, I could have my baby at this hospital after all. For some
reason, I'm kind of happy I'm not. :-)
--
Jacqueline
#1 Due late Jul/early Aug

"Cuddlefish" wrote in message
news:%U8re.1663555$8l.215764@pd7tw1no...

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html


snipped all the stuff


This is our local hospital and I have to wonder what they'd do if she just
turned up in labour??

FWIW this mum is an aquaintence and she really doesn't look big.

Melissa

"A s s i l e m" wrote in message
...

"Cuddlefish" wrote in message
news:%U8re.1663555$8l.215764@pd7tw1no...

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html


snipped all the stuff


This is our local hospital and I have to wonder what they'd do if she just
turned up in labour??

FWIW this mum is an aquaintence and she really doesn't look big.

Melissa



Just saw the story on the news, and no, she doesn't look big at all. Hope things go better for
her in the weeks leading up to the birth.

She should just go for a home birtth then if they won't take her.

KC

I'm surprised they do BMI's in late pregnancy, makes no sense to me. I was
weighed before induction for #2, and was 95kg, and 171cm tall. Don't know
what that would have made my BMI. 110kg doesn't sound all _that_ big for a
woman that pregnant.

--
Amy
Mum to Carlos born sleeping 20/11/02,
& Ana born screaming 30/06/04
barton . souto @ clear . net . nz
http://www.freewebs.com/carlos2002/
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/ana%5Fj%5F2004/


"Cuddlefish" wrote in message
news:%U8re.1663555$8l.215764@pd7tw1no...
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html

I am floored by this story - taken from my hometown's [Melbourne,
Australia] daily paper. Although I have no idea what my BMI is, I would
not be surprised if it was around 40 right now too. However, my blood
pressure is fine and I have no other health problems [I sailed through the
GD screening test.] If my doctor told me I was more likely to have a
complicated birth I would ask him to prove it.
The hospital has told her to lose 8kgs during her final 2 months of
pregnancy. Wow.

13jun05

A PREGNANT woman says she has been told she cannot have her baby in a
Werribee hospital because she is too fat.

The woman, only identified as Lisa, today said she was told she would not
be admitted to Werribee Mercy Hospital because her body mass index (BMI)
was 41.
A healthy BMI - a measure of body fat - is between 20 and 25 in men and
women, and under 40 in pregnant women. A figure above that indicates a
person is overweight.
Lisa, who is 31 weeks into her third pregnancy, weighs 110kg.
The hospital has confirmed it does not take mothers-to-be with a BMI above
40, saying it does not have the facilities to cope with the increased
risks.
Lisa told Southern Cross radio today that she had already filled out the
paperwork and participated in a hospital survey before she was taken by a
hospital staff member to a room to be weighed and have her height checked.
"She weighed and measured me, then sat down with her calculator and worked
it out and just told me sorry you're 41," Lisa said.
She said she was told by the staff member she would have to lose 8kg if
she wanted to have her baby delivered at Werribee Mercy hospital.
"I've only got nine or 10 weeks left in my pregnancy, basically that's
drop a kilo a week."
Lisa told the staff member she could not do it and that she did not
believe she had put on too much weight during the pregnancy.
She asked what would happen as she had already filled out the paperwork
and alleged the staff member then told her they would tear it up.
Director of medical services at Werribee Mercy Hospital, Dr Peter
Longmore, confirmed the hospital did have a policy of not accepting
pregnant women who had a BMI of more than 40.
Dr Longmore said the risks during delivery were significantly higher for
women who were overweight.
"Women who have a high BMI usually have larger babies and that causes
difficulty during delivery," he said.
He said the hospital did not have intensive care or neo-natal facilities
if the baby or mother needed emergency treatment.
Neo-natal facilities are provided at the Royal Women's hospital, Monash
Medical Centre and the Mercy Women's hospital in Melbourne.
Dr Longmore said pregnant women with a BMI over 40 also had an increased
risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems.
Lisa said no-one from the hospital explained the risks to her.
"Had I been sat down and said look Lisa you've got high blood pressure or
you've had an emergency cesarean before or you're overweight, we don't
want to risk you being here, lets send you to the women's (Royal Women's
hospital) that's fair enough ... instead of turning me away."
Dr Longmore said he was not personally involved in Lisa's case so he could
not comment on whether or not the hospital had explained the reasons for
her being turned away.
"If the communication was lacking when she turned up then we need to look
at that," Dr Longmore said.
"Obesity is a problem, it is important that patients need to know about
the risks," he said.
AAP


--
Jacqueline
#1 Due late Jul/early Aug

hottie wrote in message ...

"A s s i l e m" wrote in message
...

"Cuddlefish" wrote in message
news:%U8re.1663555$8l.215764@pd7tw1no...


http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html


snipped all the stuff


This is our local hospital and I have to wonder what they'd do if she
just
turned up in labour??

FWIW this mum is an aquaintence and she really doesn't look big.

Melissa



Just saw the story on the news, and no, she doesn't look big at all.
Hope things go better for
her in the weeks leading up to the birth.


She's not that big at all really compared to other women in the area that
are close friends and have delivered there. Although Sunshine hospital isn't
too far away so I can't see why she wouldn't go there instead now that
Werribee has told her no

Melissa

"Cuddlefish" wrote in message
news:%U8re.1663555$8l.215764@pd7tw1no...
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html

I am floored by this story - taken from my hometown's [Melbourne,
Australia] daily paper. Although I have no idea what my BMI is, I would
not be surprised if it was around 40 right now too. However, my blood
pressure is fine and I have no other health problems [I sailed through the
GD screening test.] If my doctor told me I was more likely to have a
complicated birth I would ask him to prove it.
The hospital has told her to lose 8kgs during her final 2 months of
pregnancy. Wow.

13jun05

A PREGNANT woman says she has been told she cannot have her baby in a
Werribee hospital because she is too fat.

The woman, only identified as Lisa, today said she was told she would not
be admitted to Werribee Mercy Hospital because her body mass index (BMI)
was 41.
A healthy BMI - a measure of body fat - is between 20 and 25 in men and
women, and under 40 in pregnant women. A figure above that indicates a
person is overweight.
Lisa, who is 31 weeks into her third pregnancy, weighs 110kg.
The hospital has confirmed it does not take mothers-to-be with a BMI above
40, saying it does not have the facilities to cope with the increased
risks.
Lisa told Southern Cross radio today that she had already filled out the
paperwork and participated in a hospital survey before she was taken by a
hospital staff member to a room to be weighed and have her height checked.
"She weighed and measured me, then sat down with her calculator and worked
it out and just told me sorry you're 41," Lisa said.
She said she was told by the staff member she would have to lose 8kg if
she wanted to have her baby delivered at Werribee Mercy hospital.
"I've only got nine or 10 weeks left in my pregnancy, basically that's
drop a kilo a week."
Lisa told the staff member she could not do it and that she did not
believe she had put on too much weight during the pregnancy.
She asked what would happen as she had already filled out the paperwork
and alleged the staff member then told her they would tear it up.
Director of medical services at Werribee Mercy Hospital, Dr Peter
Longmore, confirmed the hospital did have a policy of not accepting
pregnant women who had a BMI of more than 40.
Dr Longmore said the risks during delivery were significantly higher for
women who were overweight.
"Women who have a high BMI usually have larger babies and that causes
difficulty during delivery," he said.
He said the hospital did not have intensive care or neo-natal facilities
if the baby or mother needed emergency treatment.
Neo-natal facilities are provided at the Royal Women's hospital, Monash
Medical Centre and the Mercy Women's hospital in Melbourne.
Dr Longmore said pregnant women with a BMI over 40 also had an increased
risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems.
Lisa said no-one from the hospital explained the risks to her.
"Had I been sat down and said look Lisa you've got high blood pressure or
you've had an emergency cesarean before or you're overweight, we don't
want to risk you being here, lets send you to the women's (Royal Women's
hospital) that's fair enough ... instead of turning me away."
Dr Longmore said he was not personally involved in Lisa's case so he could
not comment on whether or not the hospital had explained the reasons for
her being turned away.
"If the communication was lacking when she turned up then we need to look
at that," Dr Longmore said.
"Obesity is a problem, it is important that patients need to know about
the risks," he said.
AAP


--
Jacqueline
#1 Due late Jul/early Aug


a) i didnt know you where another melbourne chick! woo hoo

b) i have never been assessed for BMI whilst pregnant. my 2nd ob didnt
even weigh me, and neither took my height. How humiliating for that woman,
she is brave going public, i would just sit home and die of embarrassment.

I am also floored that she would be encouraged to lose 8kg in 2 months
WHILST PREGNANT. even whilst not pregnant, that is pretty high. hmmmph

chris

In article %U8re.1663555$8l.215764@pd7tw1no,
"Cuddlefish" wrote:

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...253%255E661,00.
html

I am floored by this story - taken from my hometown's [Melbourne, Australia]
daily paper. Although I have no idea what my BMI is, I would not be
surprised if it was around 40 right now too. However, my blood pressure is
fine and I have no other health problems [I sailed through the GD screening
test.] If my doctor told me I was more likely to have a complicated birth I
would ask him to prove it.
The hospital has told her to lose 8kgs during her final 2 months of
pregnancy. Wow.

I bet it's more dangerous for her to diet the 8kg off in the last two months
of pregnancy than it is to have a BMI of 41! But it does look from the
article as if she wasn't having regular antenatal care up to this point, which
is odd too.

Another problem caused by one of those med people with no communication
skills...

.... just like the one who asked me to make an appointment to "discuss"
induction -- at which I found out I'd been *booked* for induction the
following day!

.... or the one who cancelled the induction, but forgot to tell me that the
blood pressure profile he'd booked me in for would take five hours!

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"In Melbourne there is plenty of vigour and eagerness, but there is
nothing worth being eager or vigorous about."
Francis Adams, The Australians, 1893.

Cuddlefish wrote:

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html

I am floored by this story - taken from my hometown's [Melbourne, Australia]
daily paper. Although I have no idea what my BMI is, I would not be
surprised if it was around 40 right now too. However, my blood pressure is
fine and I have no other health problems [I sailed through the GD screening
test.] If my doctor told me I was more likely to have a complicated birth I
would ask him to prove it.

I think there is pretty abundant evidence that obesity increases
the risk of pre-, peri-, and post-natal complications. It's not a
guarantee, obviously, and plenty of overweight or obese women go on
to have perfectly normal pregnancies, births, and babies.

The hospital has told her to lose 8kgs during her final 2 months of
pregnancy. Wow.

I can't believe they gave her *that* advice, as that's
flat out dangerous--I believe more so than giving birth while
overweight or obese!

Best wishes,
Ericka