[nancy11]

Yeah, it's December.

Only one week (and a day) until the anatomy scan. I'm certain I will freak out with nervousness in the days leading up to it.

I haven't felt Peanut in a while, but I did feel it twice -- I think. I assume it has moved to a more obscure location. This has made me feel a lot better. I suppose I should be feeling more certain, at this stage, but the unexpected always looms over me. At least I know Peanut's growing -- I'm definitely getting larger.

My whole family knows now, and the rest of my friends will notice on Saturday at the annual holiday party that I host. I'm starting to really want to feel confident, but I know I won't until after the scan on the 9th. And even then.......

It's hard to believe that the 20-week milestone is right around the corner.

 

[heatherweh]

Congrats on reaching the half-way mark! Im there on Thursday and my ultrasound is scheduled for Dec 9. I too am completely nervous about it. I'm feeling "seahorse" moving around a lot, so that is a big relief. I seem to be carrying really low, all the movement I've felt it down by the pubic-hair line, like below my belly bump. Either my chubby pot-belly is obscuring movement or my placenta is up and forward. Anyway, it is a relief to feel movement. Just biding time until the 9th now, hang in there!

 

[smocklets]

I was such a wreck the week before my ultrasound, I know how you feel. I was also discouraged by a lack of movement. But during the scan, I was surprised to see how much he was moving even though I didn't feel it. This past week the movement has really picked up(I am 22 weeks).

Doesn't it seem like there is a pregnancy horror story everywhere you go? It is almost hard to enjoy being pregnant because I worry so much.

 

[michanders4]

I have a question about movement. I have days when I feel peanut move around so much and others where I barely feel him. Can he move into a position where it is harder to feel him? I am 21 weeks 3 days today. It's discouraging when I can't feel him all the time - I know I need to have patience! I have an anterior placenta so I think that affects it. When do you usually start feeling all day movement by - 24 weeks even with an anterior placenta??

 

[nancy11]

I'm still not sure I'm feeling movement, and it's definitely sporadic and random. I attribute it to positioning as well as it being my first.

I'm actually feeling quite "normal" and have been painting up a storm around here. Oddly, the normalcy isn't bothering me. I know I'm growing, and Peanut's growing, because I'm slowly gaining weight and changing shape.

I would appreciate some more flutters, however.

Big scan on Tuesday!

 

[MI_Dawn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by michanders4 I have a question about movement. I have days when I feel peanut move around so much and others where I barely feel him. Can he move into a position where it is harder to feel him? I am 21 weeks 3 days today. It's discouraging when I can't feel him all the time - I know I need to have patience! I have an anterior placenta so I think that affects it. When do you usually start feeling all day movement by - 24 weeks even with an anterior placenta??

An anterior placenta will definitely effect feeling movement. And baby is still small enough at this stage that you won't feel them MOST of the times they're actually moving. Maybe 20-30%. (I'm totally pulling that number out of my hat

) It's after 28 weeks that baby becomes big enough for movement to be consistent and you'll start feeling a much higher percentage of baby's movements (upwards of 80-90%).

 

[Lindsay1234]

Hey guys! Ive never posted int he "preg after loss" section but I wanted to say Im with all of you guys and your feelings about the big scan. (I had an miscarr before this preg at 7 wks)

Unfortunately I had a scan that "definitely found" so many problems, but the next scan found NONE of them!!!! (and they didnt clear up in a week, they just werent there)I was SOOO nervous on the 1st u/s day but the level 2 I was really calm!!

My advice is IF something is "found" GET A 2ND OPINION!!! and dont worry before there is something to worry about!!

(a hug for everyone!!!)

 

[JenMidwife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234 Unfortunately I had a scan that "definitely found" so many problems, but the next scan found NONE of them!!!! (and they didnt clear up in a week, they just werent there)I was SOOO nervous on the 1st u/s day but the level 2 I was really calm!! My advice is IF something is "found" GET A 2ND OPINION!!! and dont worry before there is something to worry about!! (a hug for everyone!!!)

oh my goodness, was that this pregnancy or your dd? what a rollercoaster

Well mamas, I have officially carried this baby one more day than when I lost Owen. I am so very relieved & thankful that this is a completely different pregnancy. Thank you all for your support!!!

 

[Lindsay1234]

This has all happened in the last 3 weeks!!! Rough at the beginning but now Im at the "screw it" phase and Im going to accept that anything (or nothing) could be wrong with the baby!

Yay! On being one day longer than before. Im filled with joy FOR you!!!!

:

 

[nancy11]

Grats, Jen. You're a strong lady.

 

[smocklets]

I'm happy for you Jen, although I'm sure the day brought some sadness too for you.

I have been babysitting my cousins 8 month old baby. He is such a doll, and it has been so nice for me to hold a baby- because this pregnancy is taking forever!!

 

[michanders4]

As I've told you already Jen I'm so happy you have been doing so well this pregnancy! You are such a strong woman!

 

[michanders4]

How is everyone from this thread doing?? I need to ask some other mama's how often is "normal" at this point to feel the baby move? I'm just shy of 24 weeks and I feel him move every day now, but when I go a long time without feeling him I get really nervous. I sent back the doppler that I rented and I wish I had it still for times like these. I might need to look into renting one again just for times that I feel extra worried and insecure to put my mind at ease. When I haven't felt him in awhile I usually try poking around at my belly to see if I can stir him. I find myself on the pregnancy and birth loss forum every day and I think I need to stay away from there. All the stories of stillborns and baby's who stop moving and lose the heartbeat when the mom is so far along is making me even more paranoid. I thought that I was going to feel better once I got to this point but I have been so nervous lately. Sorry, I just needed to vent and see if I'm alone with this.

 

[nancy11]

As I mentioned in your other thread, Mich, I think baby just gets into a position that doesn't offer sensation when it moves. I have a similar scenario to you, although I am at around 21 weeks. Peanut is noticably active, and I would worry a little if I didn't feel it for a while. But I think my faith has a good hold on me now -- this kid is such a reality that it's becoming difficult to be scared. I'm just going with the flow at this point.

 

[michanders4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancy11 As I mentioned in your other thread, Mich, I think baby just gets into a position that doesn't offer sensation when it moves. I have a similar scenario to you, although I am at around 21 weeks. Peanut is noticably active, and I would worry a little if I didn't feel it for a while. But I think my faith has a good hold on me now -- this kid is such a reality that it's becoming difficult to be scared. I'm just going with the flow at this point.

Thanks Nancy. Please pass on some of that confidence! As I mentioned my worry has now shifted to worrying about still birth. I know there is nothing I can do and it is not the norm for these horrible things to happn, but for some reason it has become my preoccupation. I have OCD and obsessive worrying and I just want to enjoy all of this w/o worrying so much. I did order another doppler just to get me over the humps.

 

[nancy11]

You can't worry about everything. You just can't. I tried! Everything is fine with Peanut and I have been living my life as normally as I can: alcohol, sushi, hopefully skiing...

What I have come to realize is that I was simply causing myself undue stress. And, frankly, that's worse to pass on to Peanut then a little wine at a holiday dinner. I'm smart, I'm healthy, Peanut is fine, and it's time to just roll with it. It has to be done, or I will literally go insane. I have to just be me with a twist of conservative intelligence and everything is going to be fine.

I'm glad that I didn't get a doppler -- I think that would have made it worse for me. Occasional kicks is plenty of reassurance for me now.

There is always a chance of a problem. Always. I am certain I will start to worry about delivery complications soon enough. Having never been through this is what makes it so incredibly difficult for me.

All I want is the finish line, where I can start my life. I feel like I'm in some kind of purgatory right now!

Trust yourself and have faith. Those are the most important things I have learned from this experience.

 

[Lindsay1234]

Quote:

Originally Posted by michanders4 Thanks Nancy. Please pass on some of that confidence! As I mentioned my worry has now shifted to worrying about still birth. I know there is nothing I can do and it is not the norm for these horrible things to happn, but for some reason it has become my preoccupation. I have OCD and obsessive worrying and I just want to enjoy all of this w/o worrying so much. I did order another doppler just to get me over the humps.

Michanders, Im with Nancy. I know its hard and I try to repress the feeling of dread when I cant feel the baby move. I just say to myself those times, "Isabella (my 7yr old) sleeps 12 hrs a night, who to say this baby isnt sleeping that long too?" After SOOOO many drs appts to hear the hb and see her, Im FINALLY relaxing (a little bit)

My mw suggested writing EVERYthing down on paper whenever I feel scared and its helped!!

Try to relax and enjoy being pregnant!!!!!

 

[JenMidwife]

Michelle, thanks for bumping this thread up! I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious

Lindsay has some really good ideas below. I think strategies to reduce anxiety are a really good idea whatever works for you... staying away from the pregnancy loss forum (I have to stay away from there too), meditation, talking positively to your baby/body, yoga, renting a doppler for occasional use, etc. Have you been diagnosed w/ OCD? Are any of your health care providers "following" you w/ it (eg checking in to see how it's going during pregnancy?). I don't know if you're taking medication or not, but if not, at some point, it might be worth considering medication, even while you're pregnant. After all, stress & worry produces hormones in your body that your baby is exposed to.

Thank you all for your hugs & well wishes to me when I passed my milestone of losing Owen last week. It means a lot

I've been out of town & only just had a chance to respond now

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234 I know its hard and I try to repress the feeling of dread when I cant feel the baby move. I just say to myself those times, "Isabella (my 7yr old) sleeps 12 hrs a night, who to say this baby isnt sleeping that long too?" After SOOOO many drs appts to hear the hb and see her, Im FINALLY relaxing (a little bit) My mw suggested writing EVERYthing down on paper whenever I feel scared and its helped!!

 

[michanders4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenMidwife Michelle, thanks for bumping this thread up! I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious Lindsay has some really good ideas below. I think strategies to reduce anxiety are a really good idea whatever works for you... staying away from the pregnancy loss forum (I have to stay away from there too), meditation, talking positively to your baby/body, yoga, renting a doppler for occasional use, etc. Have you been diagnosed w/ OCD? Are any of your health care providers "following" you w/ it (eg checking in to see how it's going during pregnancy?). I don't know if you're taking medication or not, but if not, at some point, it might be worth considering medication, even while you're pregnant. After all, stress & worry produces hormones in your body that your baby is exposed to. Thank you all for your hugs & well wishes to me when I passed my milestone of losing Owen last week. It means a lot I've been out of town & only just had a chance to respond now

Thank you so much for asking me this Jen! I feel almost ashamed?? that I am medicated, especially on a site like this, but yes I am medicated for it. I was diagnosed when I wsa 16 and fought off taking medication until I was almost 25 so I think I did a good job and I knew it was right for me. My doctor and therapist and myself all agree that staying on it is right for me so I am still on it. I am so happy to hear you say that it might be worth it even when pregnant thank you

. I tried going off of it when I was pregnant the first time and it just made me feel totally whacked out so I decided this time staying on was for me. Being pregnant exacerbates all of my OCD to such a degree that even being on medication (and we raised the dose just for the second trimester) has been a challenge! When you have OCD its so easy to talk yourself into believing some scary things! The medication definitely takes the edge off though and I did go ahead and rent the doppler again and know that that will help. I know I'll only need to use it on days where I don't feel much movement. I also know I need to have patience as this little guy has been moving all day today of course. No big movements but enough to know its him and he is doing well!! Thanks again Jen, I needed to hear that!

I of course googled being on the medication that I am on while pregnant (its an SSRI) and although my doctor was 100 percent ok with me being on it and said that even with Paxil (which I am not on) they are saying its not as harmful as first thought I still read about those horrible instances where the baby can't breathe etc. This of course can happen in any pregnancy but of course they said (in this particular study) that SSRIs in the 3rd trimester sometimes shows a correlation. Anyway, I've talked with my doctor and therapist about this and my doctor hadn't even heard of it. She said they just need to watch for signs of withdrawal when he is first born. I know it was the right decision for me, but I think deep down inside it eats me up...

Sorry to ramble!

 

[JenMidwife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by michanders4 Thank you so much for asking me this Jen! I feel almost ashamed?? that I am medicated, especially on a site like this, but yes I am medicated for it. I was diagnosed when I wsa 16 and fought off taking medication until I was almost 25 so I think I did a good job and I knew it was right for me. My doctor and therapist and myself all agree that staying on it is right for me so I am still on it. I am so happy to hear you say that it might be worth it even when pregnant thank you . I tried going off of it when I was pregnant the first time and it just made me feel totally whacked out so I decided this time staying on was for me. Being pregnant exacerbates all of my OCD to such a degree that even being on medication (and we raised the dose just for the second trimester) has been a challenge! When you have OCD its so easy to talk yourself into believing some scary things! The medication definitely takes the edge off though and I did go ahead and rent the doppler again and know that that will help. I know I'll only need to use it on days where I don't feel much movement. I also know I need to have patience as this little guy has been moving all day today of course. No big movements but enough to know its him and he is doing well!! Thanks again Jen, I needed to hear that! I of course googled being on the medication that I am on while pregnant (its an SSRI) and although my doctor was 100 percent ok with me being on it and said that even with Paxil (which I am not on) they are saying its not as harmful as first thought I still read about those horrible instances where the baby can't breathe etc. This of course can happen in any pregnancy but of course they said (in this particular study) that SSRIs in the 3rd trimester sometimes shows a correlation. Anyway, I've talked with my doctor and therapist about this and my doctor hadn't even heard of it. She said they just need to watch for signs of withdrawal when he is first born. I know it was the right decision for me, but I think deep down inside it eats me up... Sorry to ramble!

Oh I'm glad that I didn't offend you! I should have included that I got bad ppd w/ dd & then had the loss after that, so my OB & I have decided that I should stay on a low dose of Wellbutrin XL for now (we kind of re-evaluate every time I see her).

Also, re: movements, I feel movements consistently at night when I go to bed, but not during the day. So night is always reassuring to me, but day time can be worry some. This baby certainly has definite patterns!