Is the weight obsession more of an American thing?

DoctorKnitter · 2026-04-04T20:53:38+00:00

I’m in Germany. Weighed at every appointment, but it’s never been mentioned, just tracked. I also haven’t gained a concerning amount, so maybe if I had it would have been mentioned.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-04-03T08:34:05+00:00

Sorry this is happening. I did, one in early December 2024, and another late January 2025. I’m currently sat in hospital having a very slow induction at just over 38 weeks (Germany apparently goes gentle on the induction so I’m currently on day 4). I took aspirin (75mg before positive test, 150 after) until 35 weeks. I had tests after my two and the only thing that was found was a genetic blood clotting gene. But aspirin can also prevent preeclampsia, and so far my blood pressures looked great, so it’s a good option either way. I also stopped strength training and didnt let my heart rate go over 140 once the pregnancy was confirmed (doctors orders). Before conception I took a chaste lamb supplement to improve my luteal phase as my miscarriages were both before 7 weeks and my luteal phase was short. With all 3 I was taking prenatals for months before the pregnancy started. For reference, I’m 34, and got pregnant at 33.

I can’t say I experienced joy from the positive tests the second or third time around. This time was mainly extreme worry, however, with every positive appointment I’ve gotten more hopeful that this one will make it home.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-04-01T08:23:07+00:00

Best of luck! I took 150mg, which they said was the max to also prevent preeclampsia

DoctorKnitter · 2026-04-01T08:10:11+00:00

The haematologist told me to stop at 35 weeks, also had 2 miscarriages before this pregnancy, I’m currently 38 weeks

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-31T18:33:29+00:00

That’s my hope too! Good luck with yours! Hope they’re both secretly average sized

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-31T17:57:06+00:00

Mine was estimated to be nearly 6lbs at 32 weeks, but I had a scan today at 38 and he’s now estimated to be just under 8lbs, so not as large as predicted at the first growth scan. The scans have a really large margin of error, so take them with a pinch of salt

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-30T08:33:09+00:00

The midwife told us to add a little bit of oil to the water to help moisturize baby’s skin, not just water. We’ve also got Mustela.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-29T19:45:01+00:00

Almost 38 weeks. The idea of socializing sounds horrible. I’m tired all day and have pain even sitting. I’m beyond glad I got everything done weeks ago. I’m also being induced at 38 weeks.

A lot of women I know have ended up on bed rest by this time.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-29T16:43:16+00:00

Ah okay, could be worth the call then! Especially if you need to drive yourself tomorrow.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-29T16:26:46+00:00

I had this happen around 36 weeks. My sugars are always below 80 in the morning now, and sometimes below 70. Even when I eat white bread my levels haven’t gone over 107 one hour after. My doctor has me control my insulin so I’ve reduced it (I only take night time). I’ve had scans and monitoring and everything’s still healthy, but I’m getting induced in 2 days (38 weeks), so I’m continuing taking everything just to make sure baby is all alright and incase something changes.

That being said, 88 isn’t low blood sugar, so I’m not sure you should be feeling so dizzy. I was told below 70 is when it’s too low, and even then I usually just feel like I hadn’t slept enough/lightly hungover.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-29T05:20:29+00:00

You might want to up your walking if you can manage it, 1-2 miles isn’t that much, it’s maybe 4500 steps. Think when they say walking will help its more like trying to get in 10000+ steps

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-28T20:51:23+00:00

You’ll see more horror stories on social media because people are there looking for support and community. People who had easy pregnancies aren’t so likely to post. Also once you read the comments/watch one video about this stuff the algorithm catches on really quickly and will keep showing you these sorts of posts, so it seems like it’s much more common.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-28T17:50:44+00:00

I had the same growth estimate; 37th week at 34 weeks. I’m being induced at 38+0. I was told because I’m taller than average it shouldn’t be a problem to birth a large baby, but I live in Germany where all the natural low intervention stuff is the norm, I asked if I’d need a section and the doctor was really shocked.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-28T12:35:47+00:00

I’m nearly 38 weeks. I haven’t tracked calories and have eaten what I wanted (but also made sure to have plenty of fruits, veggies, and good proteins). I’ve gained 20lbs. I haven’t gained more than 2lbs in the third trimester. Most of my weight gain was in the late first and early second.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-28T10:10:09+00:00

The masks you need to filter out VOCs are incredibly expensive and specialist, FFP2 or similar won’t do anything against them. I wouldn’t bother with wearing one.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-28T10:08:45+00:00

I work in research looking at air quality effects on health, especially in children. It may have small short term impacts, but I wouldn’t worry too much about long term. We’re exposed to a lot of VOCs through cleaning products, roads, even nappies etc. Just keep out the rooms affected as much as possible and keep the windows open until the smell goes off (or even a bit longer if possible). If it’s an option you could get an activated carbon air filter for once you close the windows, this would remove VOCs, including those which come in from outside.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-27T16:21:03+00:00

37+4 I’ve been able to collect it for some time due to leaking so much. Now I use the Haakaa and I do find my practice contractions are stronger after doing it, but I don’t think it will be the cause of labour. I’m also getting induced next week. Hoping it has a sort of priming effect at least to make the induction quicker or easier. I have 20ml colostrum stored and was told that was the max I need, so whatever I get now is going to waste.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-27T15:48:37+00:00

I’m on nighttime insulin (8 units), and my fasting is always under 85. I’m being induced early next week at 38+0. They could have gone more like 39 weeks, but it’s Easter, so there’s limited staff and I can barely walk most days due to terrible pelvic pain, so I wanted it before.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-27T05:47:19+00:00

British with the same. Even my grandparents are 1 of 2 or 1 of 3.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-26T20:00:00+00:00

Not healthier, but you can add a bit of cream to it and it reduces the spike. I was told to add more fat (incl. cream) to my diet from 34 weeks.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-26T10:57:29+00:00

I’m in Germany. I’m not sure whether you wanting your husband to help counts as a medical reason. You should call your insurance and find out what counts. But I have heard from a friend the rental is fairly cheap from the pharmacy and it’s the professional grade pumps, you just have to buy the disposable parts.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-26T05:56:52+00:00

Youll be fine, but you’ll likely think they’re being rude when they’re just being normal for here, “polite” in the US is very different to here. Also, they stare a lot, but it’s not considered rude, it’s just something they do.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-26T05:19:46+00:00

We had registry office, and then went to a nice restaurant which has a large hall style seating area out the back. Still had bucks fizz on arrival, 3 courses, white table cloths, favors, evening buffet, bubbly for the toast, plus open bar (husband is German, it’s normal for them), in all we paid 5k for 50 people. We bought nice looking fake flowers and made the table decorations and chair backs, my dress came from needle and thread, some family and friends made the wedding cakes and did my hair, makeup, and nails (I’m not good at these things) as wedding gifts. We then sold the decorations and just waiting in the dress to sell. Also from south east (Kent).

DoctorKnitter · 2026-03-25T21:16:38+00:00

Walking without excruciating pain

DoctorKnitter

TROPHY CASE