Category: Body Positive Clinic

Empowering Expectant Moms: Navigating BMI with the Body Positive Clinic

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Pregnancy is a transformative journey filled with joy and anticipation. However, for pregnant women with a high Body Mass Index (BMI), this journey can come with increased health risks. Recognising this, Fernandez’s Body Positive Clinic was established with a mission to provide specialised care and support to pregnant women with a BMI of 40 and above.

The Body Positive Clinic began in June 2023, aiming to offer focused antenatal care, intrapartum monitoring, and postpartum follow-up. In just four months, the clinic has been supporting 38 mothers with dedicated care. Operating every Friday from 9 AM to noon, the clinic takes eight appointments each week.

Pregnant Women

The Journey so far

Pregnant women with morbid obesity face heightened risks of maternal and perinatal complications. Fernandez’s Body Positive Clinic has developed a specialised algorithmic care approach that has been proven to improve outcomes for these mothers. Through a team of skilled healthcare providers, the clinic offers personalised care that addresses the unique challenges associated with a high BMI during pregnancy.

Understanding BMI and Its Importance

BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a crucial metric that assesses an individual’s body fat based on height and weight. For pregnant women, maintaining a healthy BMI is vital because an elevated BMI can lead to various complications during pregnancy. A BMI at or above 30 is considered obese and 40 is severely obese. This index plays a pivotal role in determining the risk factors and care needed during pregnancy.

How High BMI Affects Pregnancy

High BMI during pregnancy is associated with a range of complications, including diabetes, hypertensive disorders, preterm births, increased rates of caesarean births, anaesthesia-related challenges, macrosomic babies, foetal anomalies, intrauterine foetal demise, postpartum haemorrhage, and surgical site infections. Fernandez’s Body Positive Clinic understands these risks and works diligently to mitigate them through specialised care.

Clinic’s Operation

Fernandez’s Body Positive Clinic operates as a specialty clinic, featuring a team of doctors from various medical fields, such as:

  • Obstetrics
  • Foetal medicine
  • Nutrition
  • Dietetics, and
  • Physiotherapy

The clinic operates weekly, offering a fixed number of appointments to ensure individualised care, attention, and long-term follow-up throughout pregnancy, labour, and post-birth. The dedicated team focuses on antenatal care, foetal surveillance, physical activity, and dietary modifications essential for healthy pregnancy outcomes.

Post-Birth Follow-Up

Body Positive Clinic goes the extra mile by following up with mothers not only throughout pregnancy but also during the postpartum period. This commitment extends to at least 12 months post-birth, ensuring that mothers receive continued support and care beyond delivery.

Fernandez’s Body Positive Clinic has emerged as a beacon of hope and support for pregnant women with high BMIs. By recognising the importance of BMI and tailoring specialised care to address its challenges, this clinic is transforming the pregnancy journey for expectant mothers, offering them the best chance for a healthy and positive experience.

CLINIC SCHEDULE

  • Every Friday
  • 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
  • 1st Floor, Fernandez Clinic, Hyderguda (Unit 4)

FOR APPOINTMENTS