February 2015 Moms
ashbrio
member
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NST testing for being overweight?
ashbrio
member
Hi all, I'm 37 weeks FTM and just had an appt with a Dr. I've never seen before, and I'm not quite sure how to feel about it. First he proceeds to tell me how I have so many stretch marks and if I put lotion on...really?? After that he asks me how much I weigh, And that he wants to calculate my bmi. My bmi is over 40, but I have never had any issues with my blood pressure, no gestational DB, babies heart rate always been strong, only gained 25 pounds this pregnancy, and I'm young. After the appt, the nurse tells me that the Dr. Wants me to have a NST twice a week until birth, simply because of my BMI. I'm debating emailing my primary OB and asking if this is really necessary. Has anyone had a similar experience?? FYI none of the other DR's I've seen have ever brought this up.
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Re: NST testing for being overweight?
Maybe this OB is just being cautious as he would be for anyone regardless of BMI? But still it sounds like his bedside manner needs some work!
I also was concerned at first because it wasn't my primary OB that brought it up but another physician in their office and I was just told it was to "check the growth of the baby". It actually had my husband freaked out that something was going on that they weren't telling us.
When I asked my regular OB about it and if it was necessary he explained the research and reasoning behind it. He said that it was to check the fluid level and the placenta, because research shows that there is a small percent of women who who have a higher per-pregnancy BMI that can have their placentas start to "age early" starting at 36 weeks (he said all placentas start to age around that time but some can age more rapidly and inhibit oxygen and nutrients to the baby). He said that by having the weekly NST they are able to catch those babies and moms that it might happen to. Even though the percentage is small he said it is to "put everyone on the same playing field" and to catch any potential early complications.
Now as far as 2x a week I just would not be able to accommodate that with work because my appointments take about 1.5 hrs because we have the NST, an ultrasound and then an appointment with the doctor. Maybe see if they can do them 1 x a week (if they explain it to you and you feel they are warranted)? I do know that if we go over the due date then we will have 2x week appointments, but I think that is normal? (Also, in my office, weekly appointments starting at 36 weeks is considered "normal" just not everyone has the NST and ultrasounds).
EDITED for spelling
I was actually more concerned with my weight than my midwife. I thought that I wouldn't be able to go the midwife route because I'd automatically be high risk due to my BMI. Not the case.
My blood pressure has stayed normal. Blood work and family history is normal. GD was negative. Other than encouraging me to limit my weight gain to 15lbs or so, she has made no adjustments in my care.
If that happened to me, I would not be seeing that Doctor again.