At Fernandez Hospital’s Body Positive Clinic, we are committed to ensuring that every pregnancy is as empowering and positive as you envisioned. Our goal is to offer the best care for pregnant women with a higher body mass index (BMI) to reduce risks and enhance your pregnancy, birth, and postnatal experience.
Our clinic brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists who will guide you through your pregnancy journey under one roof. We focus on providing comprehensive care and support, helping you understand the risks associated with a high BMI during pregnancy while offering personalised solutions to promote a healthy pregnancy.
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a measure that helps determine if your weight is within a healthy range based on your height and weight. The categories for BMI are as follows:
Underweight: Less than 18.5
Healthy Weight: 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight: 25 to 29.9
Obese: 30 to 39.9
Severely Obese: 40 and above
How does a high BMI affect pregnancy?
A high BMI during pregnancy can increase the risk of several complications. These include miscarriage and stillbirth, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and preeclampsia, longer labor, emergency caesarean sections, and heavy bleeding after birth. At the Body Positive Clinic, we work closely with you to minimise these risks through tailored care.
How does the Body Positive Clinic help?
Our Body Positive Clinic offers a holistic approach to managing high BMI in pregnancy. During your visits, you’ll have all your consultations with a team of specialists on the same day, making it convenient for you. We will provide guidance to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both you and your baby, and we will continue to monitor your health even after your baby is born.
Our team includes:
Obstetricians: for individualised risk assessments.
Fetal Medicine Specialists: for growth scans to assess fetal wellbeing.
Physiotherapists: for improved prenatal fitness leading to a healthier and easier pregnancy and delivery.
Midwives: for a non-judgemental and woman-centred approach to help women make realistic healthy choices.
Nutritionists: diet plans tailored to your body weight.
Anaesthesiologist: for different pain relief options and emergency anaesthesia.
Meet them all on the same day and under one roof.
The Body Positive Clinic schedule:
Fernandez Hospital, Bogulkunta To book an appointment or learn more about The Body Positive Clinic Day: Mondays, Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon Contact: 7995666003
Fernandez Clinic, Necklace Road To book an appointment or learn more about The Body Positive Clinic Day: Tuesdays, Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Contact: 8800855250
AT FERNANDEZ, we offer a gamut of holistic services for
women and the new-born that encompass different aspects of their health and well-being.
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Frequently Asked Questions
BMI or Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation used to assess whether a person has a healthy weight for their height. It is typically calculated at your first antenatal booking appointment, and you may be weighed again during subsequent antenatal checks throughout pregnancy to monitor your health and guide recommendations for weight management.
BMI is important because it helps assess your risk for pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and birthing challenges. Monitoring BMI allows healthcare providers to offer tailored advice on nutrition, exercise, and weight management for a healthier pregnancy for both mother and baby.
A healthy BMI before pregnancy is between 18.5 and 24.9. During pregnancy, weight gain recommendations depend on your pre-pregnancy BMI: underweight women (BMI <18.5) should gain 12.5–18 kg, healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) should gain 11.5–16 kg, overweight (BMI 25–29.9) should gain 7–11.5 kg, and obese (BMI ≥30) should gain 5–9 kg.
A high BMI increases the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, larger babies, preterm birth, cesarean birth, and postpartum infections. It may also affect the baby's long-term health. Regular monitoring and guidance can help reduce these risks.
Yes, many women with a high BMI can have a straightforward pregnancy and normal delivery. However, the risks of complications are higher, so extra monitoring and support are provided to ensure the safest possible childbirth experience. Fernandez Hospital offers expert care and guidance for women of all BMI categories throughout pregnancy.
Equitable, respectful and evidence-based care for women and children since 1948
