Weird question alert: my own pulse is so strong I can't feel the baby!

[Splinters]

I'm 20+5 and have been feeling definite movements for about a week, including lots of kicks yesterday. I also notice that the solid part of my bump seems to move around depending what position I'm in, and I'm guessing that that's to do with where the baby's ended up. Today it's all right up the top, and when I put my hands on it to try and feel the baby kicking, all I can feel is my own pulse absolutely POUNDING, almost as strong as kicks and definitely enough to drown out any baby movements. I have a high anterior placenta so that might be right under where my hands are. Are placentas supposed to pulse like that (I'm sure I haven't felt this quite as strong before)? And is there anything I can do to try and get the baby down so I can feel it properly? Thanks!

[zigwig]

I've been getting that for weeks and I'm only 17 weeks now. I can't be sure if I've felt the baby yet as my heartbeat feels like I've just run up the stairs all the time. I assume it's because of the extra blood flow. You're not alone and I think it's normal.

[Sastra]

I have a ridiculously strong pulse - my tummy (and whole body) pulse when I'm lying down, even when not pregnant!

[Splinters]

OK that's a relief, thank you both! Have had a few kicks lower down this afternoon so feeling reassured that the baby's ok anyway.

[mummy2benji]

It's not your placenta you are feeling, it is your abdominal aorta - the huge blood vessel that carries blood down from the heart towards the lower limbs. Slim people in particular can have a prominent pulsation in the abdomen and this is likely to get stronger in pregnancy due to the physiological changes that take place and the increased blood volume pumping round your body. So no, don't worry! My abdomen is the same - or it was, my 37+5 week bump is now largely obscuring it! x