November 2017 #3: Flutters, bubbles and a proper bump!

[GingerHanna]

Previous Thread

Here we all are... delving into our second trimesters and awaiting 'The Big Scan'! Don't forget to keep the list updated.

Ah @Ginger that's a lot to absorb. It's good that they have been so absolutely thorough, you are evidently in good care.

What is RHC negative?

I think a lot of women measure too big/small bump wise and it can later on resolve itself with no worries/problems.

At my 20 week scan Bubba was really low down and I was tipped upside down, jumping around etc, so they could check the bottom of the spine was closed too, she spent aggges trying then finally when baby wouldn't budge said "I can see it's closed, its fine." But I wasn't convinced she could see it...X

My bump is fine, it's just his measurements on his tummy that are a week ahead. No one is really worried - we're more doing the sugar test 'just in case'. For that I'm feeling quite relaxed.

Rhc negative is to do with blood type. Most folks are positive but it seems some of us are negative... if the mum is negative, as is my case then the key matter is if the baby is also, or if they're positive. this we don't know until after birth...

So, if a baby is positive then the mother will at some point start producing antibodies to fight off the Rhc positive antigens (I think that's what they're called). This usually happens after birth when some of the baby's blood enters the mothers blood stream. No risk to baby but it is a serious issue to future pregnancies as it can cause miscarriage, brain damage etc etc. So they give new mum's an injection within hours of the birth to stop the production of the antibodies. All good there...

The issue becomes if for some reason baby's blood enters my blood stream BEFORE birth. If that happens then I start producing antibodies whilst pregnant which can then enter the placenta and attack the baby. You can see where this is going... what the treatment is then I don't yet know, although I think I'd be well known at the hospital!

However, that is incredibly unlikely and only an issue IF the baby is Rhc positive... he could just as easily be Rhc negative in which case problem solved.

So right now we have a lot of unknowns, but thankfully I'm in incredible care and being well looked after. Just a little peeved as I thought this was meant to just happen without issue and end up with a bouncy baby boy in a few months!

Sorry, long post again but no easy way to explain otherwise.

@Hazandduck I do have an anterior placenta, so when I feel movements they are on the edges on either side, depending on where she has wriggled to. She seems to wake up when I do, then I feel her a lunch time - because I'm not doing anything other than stuffing my face lol. Yesterday I just hadn't felt her as much. Maybe she was busy kicking the placenta?

@GingerHanna you are a hero, you have so much going on, yet you come across as calm and rational. It seems like the doctors are taking good care of you. I am rhesus negative too, A -, which is quite uncommon. I'm having an injection at 28 weeks, then one after baby is born. I also have to go for the glucose test, as diabetes runs in my family and DH family. I'm going to be a pin cushion by the end of this pregnancy!

@theotherendofthesockportal Don't be fooled... I just had a little cry at my desk! Thankfully it's a closed office of three and I'm the only one in today...

My blood group is A+ so I'm surprised that I've come out as Rhc negative. Apparently it's something to do with there being multiple indicators and the Rhc one is different from the RhC one and a load of others and it's the Rhc (little c) one that matters.

The midwife was happy for me to wait until 27 weeks for the next Rhc tests but everything I read says to have your shots at 28 weeks, as you've just said, so I think I'll book something in for when I have my extra scan at 24 weeks. I'd rather know sooner than later what I'm dealing with.

I'm also wondering about the miscarriage I had at six weeks back in December 2015... apparently if that was a Rhc positive baby then I could have already had blood cross over and be producing antibodies, but the midwife didn't mention this. Maybe she didn't spot it or maybe it doesn't flag as it was only at six weeks. Either way it's another reason for me to be tested sooner rather than later I think.

I'm not too worried about the sugar test, or the fact my blood pressure is creeping up at each appointment... but everything else, turning into a long list... it's hard to stay calm and composed but I'm not sure what else to do really. Going to work hard now on diet and exercise for GDD and blood pressure. Everything else is out of my hands.

Still want a cry and ALL THE CHOCOLATE!!!

@GingerHanna I've wondered about my rhesus negative blood too, as I had a missed miscarriage in January, I was 13 weeks but the baby had stopped developed around 8 weeks. The midwives and other health professionals never mentioned anything about crossed bloods, I only know about it due to reading on the internet.

I'm sorry you have had a cry so far this morning. I think you can sneak in a small chocolate bar in these circumstances. It sounds like you are getting a good hold on your diet and the other factors.

I'm still trying to find a pregnancy yoga class, if that fails I need to start swimming again.

I've just signed up for an nct course which starts in September, this is giving me something positive to focus on although my bank balance winced when I paid for it!

20 week scan today, all normal and well. I have an anterior placenta which explains why I've only been feeling full motions rather than obvious kicks.

Found out we're having a little boy. Everyone we know is having a boy (my brother's wife, her two sisters, husband's cousin, everyone else pregnant at work). At every turn it seemed that I was just one of another batch of people becoming pregnant, so I had wanted to at least have one thing different. Feeling a bit low that I also can't feel the baby very much.

DH phoned MIL and she wasn't excited, I heard her say DH's gran will be disappointed "she was hoping for a girl." So then we rang DH's gran to tell her and MIL had already phoned and told her in the intervening 20 seconds. DH's gran in no way expressed disappointment (she is far too lovely to have let on even if she had been hoping for a first great grand daughter). So now I'm crying that I was disappointed, I've disappointed everyone and that MIL took it upon herself to immediately start spreading the news before we had a chance to say anything ourselves.

Feeling very weird and emotional and now guilty on top. And suddenly protective and angry that people are disappointed he's a boy.

@DryHeave sounds like my MIL you just have to hope / think they are thoughtless rather than malicious.

@GingerHanna I am also have that negative rhesus blood but am not 100% sure on next steps to be honest! Will ask midwife at 24 wks

@Lydia: It's strangely comforting to know there are a few of us in the same boat! I spoke to the hospital and they said to have a blood test at 27 weeks, not before. They're sending me the forms now as it's a walk in clinic so I'll go on 8 August and see what happens.

Just found this layman's write up - best explanation so far, including what happens next.

@DryHeave sorry to hear that you have problems with your mother in law. If it makes you feel any better my mother in law is an extraordinary woman, she never wanted children but claims to be the best parent in the world. Her recent nugget of wisdom was that children tend to speak an average at the age of 2 to 3 months and she weened DH at 4 weeks, yes 4 weeks old!

Hi everyone.... I am a first time mum and I'm 23 weeks tomorrow!! Lovely feeling my baby moving around already. Xx

@Ginger I second @sock, get some chocolate in you pronto!

Oh @Dry that isn't very nice :( quite insensitive of your MIL, mine has been quite vocal about wanting a girl too as she only had my OH despite wanting lots more they only had him, and she says she has always wanted a little girl to dress up. She also keeps saying "do you still like that boy's name you always said" and when we say yes, she does a little disappointed face. I would love a girl but the malicious little shit in me kind of wants a boy just so we can call him that lol. I feel bad saying that though, she will be a wonderful grandma and I shouldn't moan really.

Hi @user149 :) and welcome! I love it too. Feel really lucky I've been feeling movement since 14 weeks and can see it now, feel so lucky as all my friends and SIL who have had babies recently had anterior placentas and didn't feel much movement until after 23 weeks. I'm 22 weeks on Monday. Feels weird to write 'teens' on my weekly countdown chalk board!

Is anyone else just sat in pants right now?? Too hot and fat for anything else lol.

Yeah it's lovely!! I am currently too hot to sleep !! Hope it cools down! X

Just saw this cat on Instagram and it accurately depicts my life tonight!

Hi all, I'm checking in although I need to have a catch up of the thread. My 29 week scan is 4pm today - good luck to anyone else having theirs.

We're getting a lot of pressure from the family to find out the gender; and while let of me wants to know, part of me wants to wait until November. I'm so conflicted

Hello everyone!! Glad we all keeping ok!! Just less than a fortnight till 21week scan and I reach half way mark tomorrow!! Can't believe it!! Baby is either a dancer r a footballer because movement has gone crazy this week with hubby even feeling a few kicks!!but I have one word - BOOBS!! Mine have been sore from day dot and growing at an incredible rate - give in to getting measured and sorted with new bras yesterday as they seemed to bypass the four boob look and definately had the 6boob look in the bras! Well I've told my sis that if she ever wanted a boob job just get pregnant instead!! I have went from 36d to a 38g!!!!!! Definately more comfortable now! Anyone else struggling?

My bras are tighter around the ribs so was thinking of getting measured at Bravissimo today.

20 week scan this morning and all is ok. Sonographer had a great bedside manner and explained everything. Still won't be happy until baby arrives healthily as DD's 20 week scan didn't show any problems either.

Re: bras, I've bought some more extender to get a bit more life out of current bras (esp sports bra).

Has anyone experienced Braxton Hicks and know what they feel like?

@lydia I think I had Braxton Hicks on Sunday night, I'd just done two busy 12 and a half hour shifts in a row and when I got home the sides of my stomach were tightening and I just couldn't get comfortable. It wasn't painful just uncomfortable, I ended up having a warm bath and that made me feel better.

20 weeks tomorrow! I'm so excited to be half way through this, I'm still spewing at least twice a week 😩

Ah ok I have had that tightening sensation, like you say not painful just uncomfortable x

I'm starting to get quite freaked out about the birth

I second the suggestion of bra extenders, they're really handy. I've had success with some bras from sainos but they only go up to an e cup, so if my boobs grow anymore I'll be stuck!

Bubbasmama I think this is the bit of pregnancy when you do worry about the birth. By the end you're so uncomfortable you want the baby out no matter what is involved.... Mother nature is clever.

I'm getting loads of strong kicks. They are really low down though, where is everyone else feeling kicks?

Hi everyone.

I've just caught up on the thread. All the scans and genders have made me really happy.

Been a crazy week here, even with a long weekend thanks to 4th July. I've seen more houses in the last few weeks than I could ever imagine and we are looking at a bunch more tomorrow. Fingers crossed we find something we can agree on and get an offer accepted.

Went to my first hypnobabies class last night. It was the first time I'd been hypnotised - very strange experience. It's like being awake and not awake all at the same time. I did find out that my wish of having a water birth is probably not going to be likely unless I have the baby at home. I have another scan booked for three weeks time to see if the placenta has moved. I think I'll weigh up my options then. I'm also considering hiring a midwife/doula so that I can get the experience I want. Medical intervention happens far too fast here.

Have already decided, after last nights class, that I'm going to look into classes to become an instructor. I was going to do a hypnotherapy course anyway but this might be a good path to go down especially if I have first hand experience.

Feeling lots of movement at the moment, though I suspect the chocolate I've just eaten has a lot to do with it. Baby also enjoyed the hypnotherapy last night and it felt like he had ants in his pants the whole time.

Please send positive thoughts this way for tomorrow...I'm determined to find somewhere to live before this baby comes.

I've just ordered some bra extenders, literally last week they were ok but now are digging in a bit.

My scan isn't until I hit week 22 on the 20th wish it was sooner.

Not felt kicks just whooshes of movement low down. Defo getting a little freaked out thinking that there isn't long until mat leave/ the birth and thinking about how out of my control that part is. I'm such a control freak and planner/ organiser it's gonna be weird being out of control of it all towards the end.