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Pregnancy

Don't want to be weighed at 12 week scan

38 replies

user1471468296 · 03/12/2017 09:48

Morning,

I was weighed at my booking in appointment and my BMI was recorded as 22, so well within the healthy range. In my area, you are weighed again at your 12 week scan which I think is unusual? I really don't want to be weighed again and am wondering if I can refuse without it being a big deal.

I've always watched my weight and in my teens (I'm now 30) had a short period of probably being quite obsessed with it. Since then, I have really tried to have a healthy attitude towards it but am definitely aware of what I eat and have always been a size 8 or 10. I've found in pregnancy I have been absolutely starving and so obviously am listening to my body and eating when I'm hungry - mostly things like apples and toast. All the literature says you don't need any extra calories, which I've found frustrating as I feel my body clearly does. From reading forums, it seems other slim people have found similar.

I know I'll have put on weight but I'm still wearing size 10 jeans and size 8 tops so they can see I'm not overweight. I think being weighed will just stress me out because I don't see how I can eat less when I'm so hungry all the time! I've also had to stop my sport as not safe in pregnancy, which doesn't exactly help.

Does anyone else feel the same way? Has anyone refused to be weighed and not had lots of questions about it? Hoping some of you are also/were also starving all the time in the first trimester so I feel a bit less greedy!

OP posts:

Report

Helspopje · 03/12/2017 09:50

They need an up to date weight for the downs screening calculation
Goes into the great big sum along with age and results of various blood tests

If you dont want to be weighed you could always opt out of screening

Dontknowwhattodoknowok · 03/12/2017 09:51

It sounds like you’re trying to say you don’t want to be weighed because it might reopen old wounds about being obsessive with your weight- but it also sounds to me that that’s exactly the reason you SHOULD be weighed.

If you have had issues with being obsessive over your weight then during this time when your body is changing so much then you should be weighed to ensure you’re keeping on track.

ZigZagandDustin · 03/12/2017 09:52

You are not the person they are going to be checking whether you've put too much weight on. That's simply not what it's about for many people. I'd say they'll weigh you and simply not comment because there is nothing to comment on!

You have every right to refuse any of the things they offer you as antenatal care. If you don't want to be weighed then just say 'I'd rather not if you don't mind, I feel I'm eating well and enough and am not overweight'. No more explanation needed (though be prepared for midwife to prove more).

RaeSkywalker · 03/12/2017 09:53

I was weighed too, and think it’s done everywhere. I thought it was done to calculate the probability of problems with the baby- it’s put into the mix with nuchal measurement, your age, etc. Honestly they didn’t even tell me what I weighed, just noted it down.

I understand how you feel- I had anorexia in my teens and early 20s, and hate being weighed now. We don’t have scales at home because of this. I went along with it during pregnancy though.

ZigZagandDustin · 03/12/2017 09:53

Prove=probe

user1471468296 · 03/12/2017 09:55

Thanks for your replies. I didn't realise it was for Downs calculations, if that's the case I have no issue consenting. I wasn't sure if it was just to track my risk of gestational diabetes or similar (which I wouldn't think was necessary as I know I'm not overweight). Is it normal to be weighed at booking in and again at the scan? I had understood it wasn't but that might not be true.

OP posts:

monkey1978 · 03/12/2017 09:57

I was weighed at my booking in appointment and haven't been weighed since so I don't see why it's essential. Say no if you want to. One thing that's really annoying me about being pregnant is that you seem to have no privacy anymore

RaeSkywalker · 03/12/2017 09:59

I was weighed at booking in, 12 week scan, and then again later in pregnancy (I can’t remember when though!)

ZigZagandDustin · 03/12/2017 10:02

GD happens to slim people too. And is checked for via urine, not weight.

Crumbs1 · 03/12/2017 10:02

You absolutely have the right to refuse whether it causes a fuss or not. I abhor unnecessary intervention and often refuse. I’m usually told ‘it’s just routine’ but then staff member can’t justify it I’m my particular case.
Ask the person why they are wanting to weigh you then make your decision.

Redsippycup · 03/12/2017 10:03

I was weighed at booking in but think that was it. Could you just ask that they not tell you what your weight is if they do need to do it for calculations etc.?

cherrycola2004 · 03/12/2017 10:03

Get weighed but do not look and ask them not to tell you. When I had an ED i was always blind weighed

Kelliem · 03/12/2017 10:07

I wasn't weighed at any point during my pregnancy..

Wooders09 · 03/12/2017 10:11

I was weighed at my booking appointment but have not been weighed since. I don't think it's anything to do with the downs check as I have had hat check with all 4 of mine and not been weighed for it?

Passthecake30 · 03/12/2017 10:13

I was like you, started off slim and ate more than I thought was the guidelines as I was so hungry. I remember getting weighed but there was no big discussion about it, just ask if you don't want to know what it is?

flumpybear · 03/12/2017 10:17

Don’t even look at your weight it doesn’t matter. Yes you’ll hopefully put in weight, you’ve got more blood, more blood vessels, more fluid plus you’re growing a baby - all that = mass. If you don’t put in weight then somethings not right
I found I was extra hungry too, my FIL is a GP and said he’d suggest extra food to the tune if day an extra sandwich a day for example, which was about what I needed

FWIW I am currently having personal trainer lessons and I’m on a body trax machine and I don’t look, neither does she tell me, I’m just doing my best, that is all you need to know

Enjoy your baby and pregnancy don’t focus on anything irrelevant to you

Bangkokbaby · 03/12/2017 10:22

I wasn't weighed at any point in my pregnancy and I was consultant led care due to having twins. I was asked what my weight was at my first appointment. I didn't really know but could give her a rough estimate.
I found it a bit strange as I was expecting to be weighed regularly!

thepatchworkcat · 03/12/2017 10:31

I was weighed again at 12 week scan last week, think it’s fairly standard.

ScotsLamb · 03/12/2017 10:32

I was weighed at booking in appointment and then again at 36 weeks. 36 week appointment was for an accurate weight in case of anaesthetic.

eddiemairswife · 03/12/2017 10:34

When I had my children I was weighed routinely at each monthly check-up. Don't they do that anymore?

BigBaboonBum · 03/12/2017 10:35

It’s usual to be weighed a few times at the beginning, some midwives like to keep track of weight but most don’t bother as there’s no need if there’s no need for concern. If you don’t want to be weighed then say no, I wasn’t in my previous two pregnancies other than at the beginning and 12 week and again at 16 I think... then that was it

DaisyLand · 03/12/2017 10:35

I was booked in my appointment booking and also I believe at the 12w for the downs testing.

In my 16w I thought they would weight me but didn’t. Mw told me that they don’t anymore til 36w. I anyway weight myself at home so wanted to check whether my scales were wrong. I’m in the opposite side of you , nearly 30 bmi so need to watch how many pounds I put on.

Btw I lost around 1/2 st in my 1st trimester because of being sick all the time. I am nearly 22w now and started putting a few weeks ago

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RandomUsernameHere · 03/12/2017 10:39

Why don't you just not look at the scales and ask them not to tell you your weight?

Rebeccaslicker · 03/12/2017 10:48

Came here to say the same as random - explain that you don't want to know the figure because you have a bit of a history with worrying about it,and keep your eyes shut. I don't remember ever being weighed after that and I did have GD so you should be fine going forward!

AnonEvent · 03/12/2017 11:02

I wasn't weighed after Booking In and I WAS overweight (BMI 30), and older (over 36).

My pregnancy was low risk despite the above (all bloods, blood pressure etc. are always on the healthy end of normal, surprising really, and might indicate I am immortal).

Remember. You can refuse anything at any time. It's perfectly okay to say that "unless there's a medical reason to do so, I'd rather not. I have had issues with eating in the past". Equally you can not look, and ask them not to tell you for the same reasons.

But do try to get your head around the fact that you WILL put on weight, and that's normal and healthy. And also not permanent.

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