Anyone doing minimal prenatal visits, no ultrasound? - Page 4 « Back to Group Discussions

[JessNP]

I thank God that we live in a time (and in places) where have the knowledge and the freedom to make our own choices. Someone mentioned the moms of 15 years ago - it's important to remember that they did not have access to the amount of information we now have. In my 20+ years of being in medicine/nursing, the first 10 were essentially without the internet, the past 10 have been with on-line access - the difference is incredible. We are much more empowered by the wealth of information and knowledge available to us, than the moms of 15 or 10 years ago. And this knowledge gives us the freedom to confidently make choices about which interventions/tests we want or don't want. I think its wonderful that we are all from different places, different backgrounds, varying ages and levels of experiences - united only by the timing of our pregnancies - and able to dialogue about these things, without even leaving our couches. Every time I read a post, I think "hmmm..that makes a lot of sense" and I respect everyone's choices and truly appreciate reading all of the input.

((I seem to have this whole "feel the love" thing going on lately, lol! Is this normal for the second trimester? I'm feeling really good - very, very anxious still - but content and happy. Anyone else feeling the love?))) 

[HouseofPeace]

((I seem to have this whole "feel the love" thing going on lately, lol! Is this normal for the second trimester? I'm feeling really good - very, very anxious still - but content and happy. Anyone else feeling the love?))) 

oh yeah, baby!

love this!!!  i'm walking around with a beatific smirk like some buddha statue- complete w/ just tubby belly.  and my eyes tend to stay a little lower too.... hmmmmmm.

[kellybeth]

i'm all full of love!

i usually am, but pregnancy (especially lately) has made me incredibly sympathetic and feeling so much. my fiance thinks it's because i have a little girl inside of me.

[odinsmama]

Just got to hear the little heartbeat last night with an amplified stethoscope thing.  So cool.

DH came over to where I was sitting before I lost it so he got to hear, too.

Found it again today and counted the rate at 144-150bpm.  

[typebug]

Originally Posted by odinsmama 

Just got to hear the little heartbeat last night with an amplified stethoscope thing.  So cool.

DH came over to where I was sitting before I lost it so he got to hear, too.

Found it again today and counted the rate at 144-150bpm.  

I want to buy one but the reviews on Amazon are so mixed on the different brands. Do you know which one you have?

[typebug]

Originally Posted by JessNP 

((I seem to have this whole "feel the love" thing going on lately, lol! Is this normal for the second trimester? I'm feeling really good - very, very anxious still - but content and happy. Anyone else feeling the love?))) 

Yeah! I feel like the angsty/depressed hormones go with the waves of morning sickness and headaches. When that stuff settles I just feel amazing. Like nothing in the world could upset my balance. I'm in a wave of morning sickness/migraines this weekend again so have felt that slip but I'm looking forward to it passing and feeling all good again.  

[JessNP]

Originally Posted by typebug 

Yeah! I feel like the angsty/depressed hormones go with the waves of morning sickness and headaches. When that stuff settles I just feel amazing. Like nothing in the world could upset my balance. I'm in a wave of morning sickness/migraines this weekend again so have felt that slip but I'm looking forward to it passing and feeling all good again.  

Yes, that is so true! All of the crappy feelings are clustered together. I've found over the past two weeks or so, I am having more good days than bad. And...knowing the crappiness WILL pass definitely helps!

[kellybeth]

Originally Posted by typebug 

I want to buy one but the reviews on Amazon are so mixed on the different brands. Do you know which one you have?

i bought a sonoline b fetal doppler off of fetalharmony.com  it's excellent.

[buko]

I just thought I'd share something-- being due March 1, I am obviously a bit behind everyone here (and am a first time mom), so I have just started to definitively feel baby move...  A little questionable fluttering for a while, some intermittent light kicks since 16.5 weeks and pretty unmistakable and significant movement in the past few days (I am 18w1d today).

DH is super-excited, telling everyone...  He said, "This is way better than a sonogram!" which makes me laugh (just to reiterate-- we aren't having any routine u/s or doppler, so we still haven't heard a heartbeat yet or anything).  Especially sweet because, although he doesn't mind not seeing an u/s, out of curiosity, he has been checking u/s videos out on YouTube.  But to him, this is "way better," LOL.  And to think my BFF claimed men really "need" to see an u/s to "bond."

Childless friends keep asking him "how it feels," and he has to tell them he can't feel it from the outside yet*, but as he says...  "I believe her!"  He's at least as excited as I am, even though he is the one REALLY going on faith. 

It's too cute.  I don't know if it's hormones-- I think I am genuinely loving the guy a little extra lately!

Although I don't know if I'd make this same no-routine-u/s decision for every pregnancy, since it's not just a decision based on personal philosophy... it really has been a nice spiritual bonus for me to "meet" and get to know our baby this way, instead of via technology.

*When will that be, BTW?  A few more weeks?  I'm not skinny, but I don't think there's a LOT of extra padding.  

[odinsmama]

Originally Posted by typebug 

I want to buy one but the reviews on Amazon are so mixed on the different brands. Do you know which one you have?

Yeah, the one I have (bebe sounds) had only like 3 stars and I can see why it would get mixed reviews. I definitely can't catch the heart every time but I've gotten it twice now, so not bad.

The headphones are junk and I tried hooking up different headphones and that didn't work at all.

I'm skinny, no idea if that makes it easier to pick up with a non-Doppler type device.

I have to sit super still. You can hear every little movement of your hand, the monitor, if I scratch my belly etc. but once I get still and wait. Wait. Then try a different spot. Wait.

Both times I've found it have been really low, like just an inch or two above my pubic bone.

And for Buko, what are you going to be listening with? With a fetoscope I've heard you can start to hear it after 20 weeks. I'm 21w and used a stethoscope with amplifier. Haven't tried my fetoscope yet.

[josie423]

Just thought I'd pop back in to this thread. I see my midwife on Monday at 20+2, the last time I saw her was at 12 weeks. I'm excited! I always enjoy our visits. I'm wondering if she'll be able to pick up the h/b with the fetoscope.. My guess is no because I have a bit of padding on my belly and I don't think she could at 20 weeks with my other babies. We'll see! We'll just use the doppler if she can't get it. 

[buko]

Odinsmama, my MWs will listen with a fetoscope at my next appointment.  I'll be almost 22 weeks then, so I'm hopeful they'll hear something. 

Honestly, though, at this point, since I'm now feeling semi-regular movement and whatnot, it feels kinda anti-climactic for me... or at least, I am not chomping at the bit to hear it.  I mean, I'd like to, and I'm sure I'll cry-- I cry at the drop of a hat, anyway.    But IDK... 

What can they tell from the heartbeat at this point, anyway?  If there is one or isn't one?  And maybe if there are two heartbeats (I highly doubt it-- I'm pretty small as it is)?  During labor, and maybe closer to it, I can see where the actual heart rate and any variation is valuable information that might change the course of action...  But honestly asking now, is there any additional info they can get from a heartbeat now, other than whether it can be heard or not?    

Not saying that's not "valuable" information, but obviously if the baby is moving regularly, and with purpose, it has a heartbeat...

Truly looking for insight!

[odinsmama]

Yeah I honestly don't know, since obviously movement means a heartbeat. Maybe to get an idea of what is "normal" range for your babe. So if, while in labor, h.rate seems a little low but babe has been on the low range the whole time, they'd know that low is normal for him/her. ?? Totally guessing here.

It is always just super cool to hear, especially you being a first time mama (I think?).

Even if your mw can get it with the fetoscope, it'll be harder for you to hear since the mw can have her forehead on that curved part which makes it easier to hear. And unless you can do some serious stretching toward your belly, you won't be able to get your forehead onto the rest while it's on your belly. Still, worth a shot though, you might hear it!

[buko]

Even if your mw can get it with the fetoscope, it'll be harder for you to hear since the mw can have her forehead on that curved part which makes it easier to hear. And unless you can do some serious stretching toward your belly, you won't be able to get your forehead onto the rest while it's on your belly. Still, worth a shot though, you might hear it!

Oh, you're right-- no problem!  Like I said, I can wait...  I've waited 18+ weeks so far!

Your hypothesis (knowing a "normal" range for babe) seems sound, though I'm sure they'll get a baseline soon enough... if not at this coming appointment (almost 22 weeks), then at the next (almost 26 weeks).

[typebug]

My MW found the heartbeat with her feto scope at 17 weeks very easily. I'm hopeful I'll find something with the stethescope one. She was just using the little cone shaped ear piece that reminds me of a Dr Seuss book. ;) 

[typebug]

Originally Posted by buko 

I just thought I'd share something-- being due March 1, I am obviously a bit behind everyone here (and am a first time mom), so I have just started to definitively feel baby move...  A little questionable fluttering for a while, some intermittent light kicks since 16.5 weeks and pretty unmistakable and significant movement in the past few days (I am 18w1d today).

DH is super-excited, telling everyone...  He said, "This is way better than a sonogram!" which makes me laugh (just to reiterate-- we aren't having any routine u/s or doppler, so we still haven't heard a heartbeat yet or anything).  Especially sweet because, although he doesn't mind not seeing an u/s, out of curiosity, he has been checking u/s videos out on YouTube.  But to him, this is "way better," LOL.  And to think my BFF claimed men really "need" to see an u/s to "bond."

Childless friends keep asking him "how it feels," and he has to tell them he can't feel it from the outside yet*, but as he says...  "I believe her!"  He's at least as excited as I am, even though he is the one REALLY going on faith. 

It's too cute.  I don't know if it's hormones-- I think I am genuinely loving the guy a little extra lately!

Although I don't know if I'd make this same no-routine-u/s decision for every pregnancy, since it's not just a decision based on personal philosophy... it really has been a nice spiritual bonus for me to "meet" and get to know our baby this way, instead of via technology.

*When will that be, BTW?  A few more weeks?  I'm not skinny, but I don't think there's a LOT of extra padding.  

I agree, it is a spiritual thing to be able to feel all of a sudden... something we've just had to believe until now is really there. It took a few weeks for flutters to turn to mini kicks that hubby could feel. My Dr explained to me that everyone's uterus is tilted a unique way and some are easy to feel and some aren't. Mine is apparently out there loud and proud so hubby can feel movement but that's really an exception to the norm. I was quite surprised since as a first time mom I figured we'd have to be patient until well after 20 weeks. 

[loveandgarbage]

My midwife also used a cone-shaped ear piece to hear the baby at our last visit and it cracked me up! I was 18 weeks and she was able to hear the heartbeat, but I'm smaller and don't have much padding. Or at least didn't then! I've definitely put on some much needed pounds since then.

[HouseofPeace]

lol!  loved the fetal stethoscope!  with my other 2, my midwife would even let the kids press their heads up on the top to hear it better (there is a curved bar that somehow helps?) and the loved it. so excited to have another visit in Nov.  i wish they weren't so far apart.  though i'm with the crowd on movement- i had kicks ALL LAST NIGHT.  finally el tigre fell asleep this morning when kids woke up (and so did i) so we're working our way to sleepless nights together already.  whoohoo.

and my husband can feel it too- when he has his arms around me, or when i press up to his back at night.  that last is our favorite share the baby position as because of the uniqueness of the movement, it's very distinct for hubby to be kicked in his back by my belly, where his hands have a harder time differentiating sometimes.  as the baby gets bigger, i tend to harass him more in the night w/ the baby discotheque as i tend to call it...

i'm happy since baby has eased up from a mostly transverse (like in a hammock across my lower uterus) position to the very very familiar feet to the left, back to the right and head mostly/somewhat down position.  so if i run my hand down the right side of my belly, there is a long strong baby form.  and on the right it's like a jelly-bean, and sometimes i get rewarded w/ kicks when i poke over there.  

so NOT sleeping last night meant that i dreamt of birth at least 5 different ways.  my midwife didn't make it, my midwife just made it, in the tub, on all fours, standing up, with a neighbor/friend, just my husband catching, but each time it was a painless, seemless, zoned-out birth that ended up with a strong baby and no drama for me.  i was soooo tired this morning.  when i told hubby about dreams he was like "wow- that sounds HORRIBLE"  but it wasn't.  i think i'm working out fears now that my midwife won't make it in time, and also giving myself permission to do this birth differently than the other 4.  and also telling myself (subconsciously) that it will all be okay!  part of me is scared, mostly of having my midwife 2 hours away in February in New England.  but also just of birth, and yet, my dreams were exhausting, but not painful and my last birth was really not that painful  i wouldn't say it was 'pain-free' but it was really really amazingly wonderful.  so i'm also excited for birth.  

that said, halfway?  wow.  here we go!!!

[JessNP]

HouseofPeace - what a wonderful post! I love reading about all of the movement your feeling. I wish I could figure out the baby's position. My whole belly just feels hard, like a big rubber ball. I can easily palpate the top, just above my belly button, but I can't feel anything else (unless I'm just not pressing hard enough?) I feel all kinds of weird sensations - and they're everywhere! Some tickling and kinda pokes on the upper right, sometimes upper left, other times, I feel poking or kicking very, very low on either side. Last night DH and I were watching TV and there was so much movement! It felt like she was running in place - kinda like my dog does in his sleep, lol. I kept wondering what the heck was going on in there? It went on for like an hour straight. I could see my belly moving too. Really, really wild! Any hints on how to distinguish what's where? Is the baby mostly head down at this point or does she still have enough room to flip all around? I wish I could take a peek somehow! I'm dying to meet her! 

[kellybeth]

my little girl is laying with her feet down low around my bladder, and she likes to give me a good solid kick every now and then, about knowing the piss outta me.

i felt a good punch right below and to the left of my belly button the day i had my 20 week ultrasound. the tech said she has very long feet & legs already.

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