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...

those links are the nhs advice and lullaby trust who are a charity that research sids. If you Google safe sleeping babies etc you will find lots, advice from unicef, the who etc as well and the who and others give advice on safe Co sleeping if you want to Co sleep ie bedshare. the main advice says use cot, there is lots of info and research out there. The nhs one has a pic showing feet to foot and how to tuck in blankets etc. In my maternity notes the Emma diary? Or whatever it's called has stuff on safe sleep guidelines as well, again that's UK info.

Re getting organised, I do have a bugaboo pushchair it just needs a wash etc, I have a sling, and some babygrows for up to four months Ish? But need some vests and few more cardigans etc. My sister has given me her carseat, britax isofix one with base. She has just used it for one baby and as she is my sister I know it's safe, not been in accident etc. Other than that I have some muslin cloths! So lots to sort but nothing big just nappies, breast pads, nursing bras, comfy Pants and maternity pads etc.

I won't bother getting in bottles eyc as we have a 24he supermarket few mins away I can send dh to if necessary.

With DD we didn't bother getting bottles until we needed them. We have a local 24hr pharmacy and target is open 8am-10pm. I also took direction from the pediatrician and washed bottles in the dishwasher. He was clear that for a 'normal' baby using a sterilizing system isn't necessary. I like the dr brown bottles but you need to rinse when you finish a feed.

When I had ds they kept me and him in hospital for 5 days after due to a dodgy birth and risk of infection. During those 5 days I tried SO hard to feed him but it just wouldn't work (tbh I think we were both wrecked from the excessive medication), so the mw wouldn't release me until I could provide a way of feeding him. In the end I had to lie say the dh had bought all the kit and it was at home.

In reality we stopped at Tesco and bought, bottles, teats, steriliser and formula!

Thanks 5, I've saved that link, very helpful. I'll be using a bedside cot and hopefully breastfeeding. I best go buy some swaddle blankets!

Yes want2, we can easily get bottles if and when we need them.

This is so helpful, thank you.

We've brought one swaddle blanket as it was on offer and because I want to see what will suit the LO before paying out as I hear not all babies like to be swaddled. You don't need to buy the specific blankets for it: babies can be swaddled in light muslin clothes or blankets as well and the folding isn't too tricky :) (We did it in NCT classes, though different with a wiggly baby rather then a doll I suspect ;) )

Here's a link to page with a video and instructions. I would suspect youtube would be brim full of demonstrations as well!

www.nct.org.uk/parenting/how-do-i-swaddle-my-baby

Thanks madthings and dizzy for those links, they're all really helpful.

On another random note, is anyone else finding their emotions are all over the place? I keep finding myself on the verge of crying over the tiniest things. This morning I was just thinking about when the baby is born and my eyes were welling up (in a happy way, I'm glad to say!). Fine in some circumstances, but I was walking along a busy road to work at the time so it felt a bit inappropriate. I guess it's just hormones, but wondering if others are getting this too or if I'm just odd!

Yes, had a rather teary soggy afternoon myself! I am also aware of the big Overreaction Monster in the corner and trying not to let it take control!

Same here Oops!

The tiniest thing can cause me so much worry and it goes round and round and round in my head for days!

Finally had a proper conversation with my boss re. my return after maternity leave. I was honest and said that I might not come back. She was fine and said to take my time over the decision as I don't have to let them know until next Jan. Feel so much better now that it's out in the open. Phew!

For those of you not on the Facebook group, I've cut and paste this article that someone shared today. It's well worth a read...

'I've had 3 vaginal deliveries and one caesarian. All my births took place exactly the way nature intended.
To me, they were all perfect.

I've had two births without pain relief, and two births with.
I knew my limits and I wasn't afraid to ask for help when I needed it. I still kicked arse.

I've tried breastfeeding all four of my children but three of them were predominately formula fed by 4 months. My youngest though has never had a drop of formula in her life.
They're all still healthy and equally as smart as each other. I did the best I could. I hold my head up high.

I swaddled two of my children but I left two unwrapped and three of my children had a pacifier but one of them did not. I didn't take the easy way out by allowing them a comforter. I simply recognised the tools that would help my baby settle. And I used them. Hell, I latched onto them as quick as I could.

I've co-slept with all four of them.
One slept through by the time she was two weeks old, one slept through by the time she was 6 months old, my son didn't sleep through until he was 4 years old and my youngest at 18months old still does not sleep through.
Co-sleeping hasn't created bad habits.
They will leave my bed when they are ready.

Two of my children eat any and everything but two are the fussiest eaters you'll ever meet.
I haven't done anything different.
I've introduced all the same food at the same time. I've simply allowed them a choice to discover their own tastes.

Now I'm ready to do it all again.
I don't know what my growing bump will be like, what their likes and dislikes will be, their personality, but I do know they will be exactly the way they are supposed too be.

The moral here is that there are no right ways. There are no wrong ways.
There isn't a "YOUR" way there is simply only "BABIES" way.

Throw out all the textbooks. Listen to your baby. Answer their needs. Follow your instincts. Open your heart and everything will be just fine.'

brooke I actually prefer swaddling with the big muslin cloths. The swaddle blankets are very sized in that once baby grows you need to move to the next size up. The big muslin cloths work all the way from newborn to 6+ months.

So I have an appointment with a lactation consultant who is going to be my BF champion while in the hospital. I am scheduled for March 28th and will be returning home on Friday April 1st. DH will see his vacation balance renew on April 1st too!

Mazzle totally agree with what you posted. It is about babies way and making it work!

mazzle that post is brilliant, thank you. I realise we can't possibly predict what our wee one is going to be like.

Great link dizzy, thanks.

Yes want2b I'm getting basically large muslin cloths and hoping they will do the trick.

My midwife found trace glucose in my urine the other day - I'm really hoping this isn't a sign of impending GD

Had my 31 week appointment this morning. Baby is still measuring big and still breech. Fingers crossed it's turned before my next appointment

FatimaLovesBread I'm in a similar position but at 30wks... Baby big and breech, hoping there is space for it to turn. Movements are a bit light too but not sure if that's due to anterior placenta... Decided to go to the hospital to get it checked as its been like that for 2 days... Actually in the waiting room now waiting to be seen! Fingers crossed!

If your baby is breech now is the time to consider seeing a chiropractor who specializes in maternity care. I had the same problem with my first, DD. The chiropractor turned Her around at 30 weeks and kept moving her back three times a week until I was 36 weeks. It isn't very comfortable but it did work. Apparently dd was very stubborn because normally it only takes one or two goes. At age 4 I concur that DD is indeed stubborn!

all checked out fine though weirdly they can see the baby moving loads on the ecg and monitor but I can barely feel it- probably due to anterior placenta... Going to be tricky not to worry if it carries on that way as she could be moving and I won't know!!!

Glad to hear all is well emma. I have very active days and then I can have 2 or 3 quiet days. I don't have an anterior placenta and I do start to worry, but so far it's always been fine. I'm 29 weeks and his back is to my tummy - so sensations can feel quite far away.

Lots if breech babies, mine was breech at 29wks and I just ended up seeing Dr. And still breech at almost 31wks and big which I knew from scan.

I was actually taking ds3 to Dr for his ears but receptionist took one look at me,made me sir down and fetched me a drink then nurse too my pulse and oxygen etc and insisted I saw the Dr even though I didn't have an app. Anyway I have now got antibiotics and stringer inhalers and orders to rest. I have been ill since Sunday with cold, sinus, chest thing but in usual mum style have just carried on. They also checked on baby as my pulse and temp were so high, baby is fine but still breech. Am really hoping it turns gave been spending time on all files, leaning over birth ball etc. Making sure to keep knees lower than hips, good posture, all the stuff they recommend to get baby to turn.

I have no idea if baby is breech or not....at my 28 week appointment the fecking useless MW couldn't feel the difference between the bum and the head. I was just saying to DH last night that I wish I knew, because if I knew she was breech I'd be much more proactive and motivated to soend loads of time on birthing ball/all fours. Hard to be bothered when it might not be necessary! Next appointment is at 34 weeks so another month away...

Another one in the wrong position here! Little one was transverse at last appointment but was only 29 weeks so hoping plenty of time to turn. Might start looking up some of these things you breech mums seem to be doing though and having a bash at them.
Thanks for the heads up that such things exist- midwife certainly didn't mention it!

My midwife hasn't checked position yet but she said next time she could, next week at 30+3! I can feel a round hard thing bumping me quite often on the left side, but can't tell if it's a head or a bum, and I feel like she's still moving positions in there. And I get something digging into me/prodding me even further over to the left, I don't know if that's kicks, it feels more like someone jabbing fingers into me - very strange.

Dear Pelvic Floor,

I really would prefer it if my vagina was an innie and not an outie as it's as uncomfortable painful as shit.

Yours hopefully,

Oops' Broken Fanjo

Oops I didn't even know that was a thing. sympathy

I'm not googling it though :)

I have no idea what position my LO is in. I have an anterior placenta as well and also have quiet/busy days. Today she wouldn't hold still and kicking in new places! Didn't get checked for position at week 28 appt but might at my week 31. I get the impression they start really paying attention to it at week 34.

Still, I've been doing the bouncing on ball, moving the hips and been on all fours for various period of times. Don't know if it foes anything but does make my lower back feel better so I'll keep doing it anyway :)

Most babies turn head down by 30-32wks, all my others were head down by now and engaged early. They expect them to be head down by 34wks. bigger they get the less soace they have to turn. Having read up on ecv I won't be letting them try that I don't think so am trying to encourage this baby to turn. Even if baby isn't breech it's good to go in all fours, use birth ball etc to encourage baby into good position for birth ie not back to back. Having an anterior placenta (I do) makes a bsck to back or breech baby slightly more likely. My dd was back to back k and I had an anterior placenta with her as well but none of mine have been breech at this stage before.

Re awkward feelings yes like fingers poking my insides, not pleasant. This baby is very wriggly and I feel kicks and wriggles all over the place so it's still moving about a good deal and will hopefully flip over.

Midwife has recommended the spinning babies website and some positioning to help encourage movement so will try them out. I'm suffering a fair bit with my pelvis at the moment so will add them to my list of exercises for that as well.

She's just said we'll wait till 36 weeks and if still breech can look at ECV and then think of options but nothing to worry about yet.
I think I'll be declining ECV.
Also said there's no reason why I couldn't try vaginal birth still but I don't fancy that.

Baby is breech and back to back so I'm getting a lot of movement. It was beating the midwife up while she was having a feel.
It's so much more active than DD but at this stage she was head down and I had an anterior placenta with her. With this one I've a fundal placenta.

I'm already having growth scans and extra appointments due to fertility treatment and previous 3rd degree tear so just something else to add to the list of things.

Really uncomfortable today so trying to soothe aches with a bath but DD has invaded it with all her toys

Can someone add me to the Facebook group please

dizzy it's a pelvic floor prolapse from the damage wreaked by DD's exit. Much worse in pg than otherwise but physio reckons it's probably a surgery job to fix it.

In the meantime it sucks big hairy balls.