April 2016 babies - 20-week scans, growing bumps and little kicks!

[suffolkblonde29]

Hi all,

I've started a new thread to take us up to the third trimester.

Hope you are all feeling well. I feel like my bump is a little small and I'm not feeling lots of movement (but this may be due to an anterior placenta). Got my 20-week scan tomorrow so not long to wait to see if everything's ok - it's actually nearly 22 weeks though as baby really wasn't playing ball when we went last week and was hiding with its back to the scanner.

Getting excited that I'm halfway there though...

Welcome Twll. I can definitely sympathise with the tiredness and SPD. You must be really looking forward to the Easter holiday starting. My DP can feel the baby move, though I think there are still some movements that only I can feel at the moment.

Cuppa, sorry you're having such a bad time with your hospital. Have they given you any reason for not considering your request for a VBAC? Have you ever contacted PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Services)? Each hospital will have a PALS service and their role is to help patients who are unhappy with the way they've been treated. Also, my understanding is that nobody can force you to have a CS against your wishes - they have to explain the risks to you and allow you to make a decision for yourself, even if their advice is that a CS would be the safest option. Hope you manage to speak with someone more understanding than your current consultant soon.

I probably didn't explain that very well but here's more info about PALS: www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1082.aspx?CategoryID=68

Knits I currently don't have a consultant, since she won't see me unless I agree.
I know that I can just refuse however that leaves me with no birth plan and no possibility of discussing it.
There are plenty of other consultants that I could see, I just need to look into it. Now that we have been discharged from foetal medicine that should be an option.

Want I'd really like to hope that there are other less horrendous solutions than driving several hours in labour to another country!

They can't refuse to treat me, but in award that if I present in labour without having had any birth discussions at all, I am rather set up to fail.

cuppa I'm in wales too... Your experience sounds horrendous! Whereabouts roughly are you if you don't mind me asking?

Cuppa, quite a few years ago I contacted PALS to make a complaint about the actions of a consultant I'd been referred to (not pregnancy related). As part of the resolution of my complaint they arranged for me to see another consultant who was immediately much more helpful than the original one. If you want to see a different consultant then I'd definitely recommend asking for help from PALS.

I was under this consultant as we are ( or were) foetal medicine patients due to DS2 having T21.
I guess most foetal medicine patients would rather a cautious consultant as by definition these are babies likely to be born with difficulties.
Now that we have been discharged, I should be able to see someone else. I was more upset that I was unable to discuss at all.
I understand my risks (2 prev cs, wound breakdown and sepsis after the first, 15 MCs, less than a year between this and the last pregnancy). I get it, but surely uk god they would rather discuss and monitor than have me too Frightened to go in, so potentially totally unmonitored pregnancy it even a free birth.
Whilst I wouldn't plan on this, I'm well aware that avoidance is my main coping mechanism.

cuppa I totally hear you. No idea where are in Wales but a long car ride after delivery is not ideal.

I was pregnant with DS 9 months after having DD. I had the CS after his last scan showed him to be over 9lbs. Two weeks later he was 10lb6oz. The VBAC was on the table as an option for me but came off based on his size.

Sorry to hear you've previously had such a difficult time cuppa. As you say, I'd have thought that would make the doctors more likely to discuss things with you and have a plan for your baby's birth that you feel happy with. I hope you manage to see a new consultant and that they're more open to discussing different options with you.

Hi all,

8cuppa8 that sounds horrendous, hopefully you get some sense from one of your hcp.

We had the 4D scan on Thursday evening, all was good, but baby wasn't playing ball, hand and legs over face most of the time! We got one picture (she looks very similar to ds) but have been asked to return this week.

cuppa that sounds a nightmare, I dint understand why they won't even discuss options? Makes no sense at all. Will you see midwife soon? I would ask to be referred to someone else, you are entitled to a second opinion.

I had scan today, 29wks all good, very pleased placenta has moved up and away from cervix so no need for c section on that basis. Baby is big, on 98 percentile, about 4lb at moment and estimated to be about 10lb at birth but consultant happy for me to deliver at the midwife led unit (which is at the hospital) and for pool birth as I have had previously. Basically they said yes baby is big but as all my babies have been large and I have delivered them easily it's how my body does pregnancy. All tests were perfect and consultant said I was their favourite type of pregnant person.. Basically boring and normal so no need to see them again unless any issues arise I can just see midwife. :)

That's great news 5madthings! I had my scan this morning and baby was estimated at 3.5lbs (also 29 weeks) and in the 65th percentile. Doctor also scanned my scare tissue and said he doesn't recommend a VBAC as too much scar tissue. He said he wants them to remove some of it when they take me in to deliver the baby.

New thing for this pregnancy is tracking the growth rate of this baby against my other two. The doctor is convinced I have gestational diabetes that doesn't show on their tests given the growth pattern of my first two. I am now in a research program and I have another scan at 38 weeks to check on the size. He said that if she is over 9lbs on March 11th, they will proceed with a CS the following Monday to get her out, otherwise they want me to go in on March 28th.

So its either 8 or 10 weeks until I finish up at work.

Growth scan today also which went amazingly and at 26 weeks baby is 2lbs 4oz give or take so 75th percentile! I did have six high blood pressure readings though and have to go in for monitoring every other day this week which sucks.

Sorry forgot to say as well congrats to all on good scans! How exciting you have a date Want2, not long now.

Writer I hope baby is more co-operative next time.

5mad So good your placenta has moved, I bet that's a weight off your mind.

I was sick again this morning i was feeling pretty miserable anyway because DP left Scotland, but it was compounded by yet more morning sickness at 25 weeks

It sounds like all your babies are doing well though!

That's great news madthings, you must be so relieved not to need a CS. Boring and normal is definitely the aim during pregnancy!

How exciting that you've got a date for your baby's arrival want2b. It really doesn't seem that far away now!

Glad your scan went well crumbly, and hope your blood pressure readings go back to normal this week. It's frustrating having to go and get it checked so many times but I guess it's good that they're keeping a close eye on you.

Twll, I've had a few recent mornings where I've felt nauseous (not actually sick though). I've heard morning sickness can sometimes come back in 3rd trimester. Hopefully it won't get any worse. It must be tough having your DP away, hope it's not for too long?

Mine never really stopped I think the longest I haven't been sick for is around the two week mark!

He is away for 7 weeks, but I can go up and see him in half term which is lovely he has only been back a month though - he was in the UAE for 7 weeks before Christmas. He has gallantly decided to cancel his jaunt to the alps over the Easter holidays though

It is exciting and terrifying in equal doses. I have nothing ready, a bunch of work to get through etc. I am dreading the drive home from the hospital so will speak to my obn a week on Friday to nail down dates. As this is our third and we have zero family close to us childcare needs to be planned. My brother is getting married on March 24th so no one from my side is able to visit. My inlaws can't fly either due to ill health. I am just thankful we have money to throw at the problem. I keep telling myself that it could be worse.

So I must now find a car seat that is no more than 16" wide and get the longest stay in hospital approved. The drive home is going to be painful, especially if we get stuck in traffic. When driving back there is no hard shoulder at certain times and if you get stuck it can take 2+ hours. So now this becomes a logistical exercise of making sure I can get discharged on time with baby just being fed and pacifier in my hand for her to suck on if she is hungry.

Huge amounts of sympathy for those still being sick and nauseous. I was like that with DD and it was awful.

Rubbish isn't it Twyll mine is still here at 28 weeks, but it is just nausea now, not thrown up since before xmas and meds work on the nausea some of the time. Fingers crossed it gets better for us!

I love the kicking so much today, she's been really active and it's so nice. Couldn't resist buying some things in the Frugli sale, even though they are still pricey I told myself I can sell them on later.

Oh and I have almost zero clothes for this baby. I am not too worried about the clothes so much as we don't have a place set up for the baby to sleep. We need to order bunk beds but not sure which ones to get. I want steps rather than a ladder and a trundle bed under for this baby to sleep on if we have not been able to move in the next 2 years.

Speaking of which, we had yet another offer on a house turned down. It is frustrating because it was move in ready with minimal updates needed to make it perfect. We put in a good offer too but the owners want to wait for the full asking price. Very frustrating but understand they want to wait for people to get paid their bonuses.

Yay for happy scans news.

Boo for icky ducky news.

Insomnia here due to heartburn and leg cramps :)
Or possibly nerves as anc appointment tomorrow, dreading it after last week...

Very exciting that you have a date Want2B! At least it will help being able to plan childcare in advance. Sorry about the house. That must be tough when your family is growing.

I'm the same cuppa. I actually dread going to bed! Toss and turn for hours (painfully, due to SPD) and when I do fall asleep I wake up for the toilet!

Sympathy to everyone still being sick/nauseous. Uurgh! That must be terrible.

It's been hectic here: my mum had heart surgery yesterday. Hoping to be allowed in to see her at some point today. She was still sedated and in the cardiac ICU when I phoned last night. Spent a lot of time pacing around yesterday. I'm just so glad that it went well. Eldest has been off school since Thursday with suspected tonsillitis. Today our heating/hot water is getting turned off until Friday at least! It's -1 in the evenings here. Brrr!

Thankfully, my DH is home on Wed. for a fortnight.

Hello. Long time lurker, first time poster!

Am due mid-April and currently worrying about my choice of (London) hospital having heard a few bad anecdotes. From the research I've done, I like the idea of using a birth centre (more relaxed environment, my partner wouldn't be sent home straight after etc.) but am a first timer, so don't know whether this is a hopelessly naive idea as I've no real idea what to physically expect from labour (outside of what I've read in books, which can only take you so far!). Spoke to midwife (having read up extensively on local options) who basically said 'do your own research' but also that birth centres were generally better placed for second-time Mums and only about half the first-timers ended up giving birth there without being transferred to a labour ward.

I'm 'low risk', apparently.

Any advice from folk who've done it before?

Wow, seven weeks sounds like a long time Twll, I bet you're really looking forward to half term.

A two hour drive home from hospital sounds tough want2b. I guess there aren't any hospitals nearer to home that you could go to instead? Hope you manage to get plans in place for childcare etc soon.

April, I love feeling kicks too. Me and DP can sit here for ages with his hand on my bump just feeling the baby move about. At the moment the baby seems to have positioned his bum right under my ribs which is making it tricky to sit comfortably - I'm still loving it though! My friends who already have children keep telling me I'll get tired of it by my due date but at the moment I can't imaging ever getting tired of this.

Hope your appointment went well today cuppa.

I hope your mum is on the mend soon and that you've been able to visit her, Mazzle. What bad timing for your heating and hot water to be off in the middle of this cold snap. Hope you're managing to keep warm enough!

Welcome fenbot! I was also quite worried about my local hospital not having a great reputation. We have a birth cente that has a much better reputation and I'm really hoping to go there. This is my first baby too so like you I'm not entirely sure what to except during labour. My plan is to go to the birth centre (as long as they accept me) and hope that I'm able to stay there but I was also reassured to hear that they can very quickly transfer you to hospital if it becomes necessary. I was also told that even if you're booked to deliver at the birth centre you can still just turn up at the hospital if you decide that's what you prefer once you're in labour.

Does the birth centre near you offer tours? If so that might be worth going to. I went on a tour recently and they were really helpful and answered lots of questions I had which helped me to decide I do want to deliver there if possible.

Hi ladies
Haven't posted on here in ages (been active on FB group tho)
Finally seen the midwife for my 28 week app, 30 weeks on Friday
For my height and weight baby Law is measuring spot on.
Been given the flu and whooping cough jabs and blood taken (I have a fear of needles)
Been given my Mat form thing but don't think my plan to work til 39 weeks will happen after talking about my back and how much standing I have to do at work so might be gone by 36/37 weeks xx

knits there is a hospital two blocks from me but I would only go there if I was unconscious. I live right next to the Hudson River between the two tunnels going into Manhattan. The issue is getting stuck in tunnel traffic. My current client is around the corner from the hospital and when I leave work past 8pm it's 45min home. Total miles is only something like 15 miles. Much of NJ is torn up with construction.