Can you request to be weighed at your 16 week appointment?

[Missnicolinda96]

Hi guys. I'm an ftm. Having my 16wk appointment tomorrow. I had an eating disorder in my teens which I feel is still a bit there. I've been eating very well and keeping active so far. The idea of weighing being refused tomorrow is making me very anxious. I feel like I need to know if I can relax around food more or not. (I have not been restricting whatsoever, I usually have 3 meals and 2 snacks as balanced as possible) .

They won't refuse to weight right? I know it's not standard unless there's cause for concern, but I feel like I've been constantly eating and I'd like the reassurance. I do have my own scales but they weighed me a kg different, so I'd rather go by the Dr's ones. Did anyone else get weighed at 16 weeks if they asked?

There aren't always scales in the rooms. The best way to measure yourself, if you wish, is in a pharmacy. Places like Boots etc have scales to use for a small cost.

I think I got weighed at booking in, but I asked not to be because of my eating disorder. Slippery slope for me if I focus on weight, I asked to be referred as I worried that pregnancy would be a trigger. Have a chat with your midwife and go from there x

Do you think weighing yourself is the way to go? What happens if you've gained more than you expect? Would that not trigger you into restricting? I really think you need to be wary with weighing when pregnant if you suffer with disordered eating.

I wasn't weighed during either of my pregnancies. If you are concerned talk to your midwife who can give you reassurance that your are eating enough. Keep a food diary if it helps and if you fancy extra, even if not healthy treat yourself

I'm definitely eating enough. I haven't lost weight and I feel like I'm eating a ridiculous amount for a 4'11 woman! First off I will speak to the mw about my concerns. My hunger and fullness cues are bizarre right now which isn't helpful. I'll feel starving randomly at night after a hearty meal and snack, but sometimes I'll feel full a few bites into a meal. I also find it easy to eat "healthy" stuff but harder to eat "treat foods" e.g ice cream, cake chocolate etc, especially twice in a day.

Exactly as Peboh says. What you’re explaining sounds entirely normal for pregnancy and your midwife will be able to guide you on your eating schedule a lot better than your weight will. I have put on almost 2 stone (now 30 weeks), but had issues with eating before meaning I was quite underweight. Even so, seeing my weight gain was quite triggering and I think you’re going to put yourself at risk of restricting yourself based on a bit of weight gain, which wouldn’t be healthy.

Please make sure you explain your concerns to your midwife and get her advice before requesting to be weighed.

I will definitely have a good chat with her. Bearing in mind it's certainly not all body image related. I'm also concerned about things like gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.

I haven't had an eating disorder but I would say I haven't had the best food/ weight relationship over the years. I've found it hard to see the number on the scales increasing, and frequently have to remind myself I'm growing a human. It might be triggering for you. Gestational diabetes is nothing to do with diet, it's hormonal/related to the placenta. I honestly don't think weighing yourself can lead to any good outcome but I don't think they would refuse.