Feeling the bump

[Haahoooo]

Had an appointment with a (lovely!) midwife yesterday at 28 weeks. One of the things she did was feel the bump, and she said all felt fine. I was very relieved and happy to hear it of course, but forgot to ask anything and am now wondering what midwives actually check when they feel the bump. Just curious!

Thats interesting, i dont think it was ever an issue with dc1 or at least was never mentioned but it was brought up at every late mw appointment with dc2. Im having my 36 week check with scan next week so will see what they say as so far position hasnt been mentioned.
Can i be cheeky and ask you more advice plz, the mw did say at my last check that i had a very good size placenta, and i wondered how on earth it was possible to tell that from just feeling my belly but didnt actually ask her. Im thinking if its a big placenta it will be a big baby? My ds placenta was like a bin lid!
Ds was 9,6 so i didnt really want one bigger as he was such a hefty baby to carry about as it was and this time im having a cesarian so ile be incapcitated to an extent to start with without the extra weight. My bumps are very decieving as i carry quite small so i cant even go by that.
Of course if this is another big boy ile love him just the same but dd was much more managable at 7,10!

Hmmm have you had a scan recently? I can't honestly say I could comment on placenta size based on a palpation.

Lots of factors influence placenta size, including weight of baby, maternal weight & diet, factors such as diabetes, whether you smoke etc etc.

I'm trying to think, but even on women with anterior placentas I can't say I've ever been able to comment on placenta size specifically.

If you've a good sized baby you can be certain of a good sized placenta - maybe that's what she means?

Sorry can't help more than that.

Thanks catches this has been fascinating!

Thanks catches, i did think it was a blaze comment based on feeling my belly alone. Ive not had scan since 20 weeks so maybe she was talking about baby size but she definitly said placenta.
I dont smoke, im a healthy bmi, no diabetes and am only 33 so not exactly an older mum. I expect ile find out in 4 weeks.

Sorry to hijack but I just started another thread without seeing this one and have a question. I'll just copy and paste from my other thread.

My baby was head down at 28 weeks and then transverse at my next two GP appointments. I did lots of spinning babies postures, spent time on my hands and knees and then at my 36 week midwife appointment he was head down again and slightly engaged so I relaxed. But I went to the GP yesterday for my 38 week check up (am 39 weeks tomorrow though convinced the hospital has my due date wrong - another story) and she didn't think he was head down any more and was probably oblique now. She said not to worry about it but given that time is running out I am worrid!

Has anyone's baby turned at the last minute? I know at nearly 39 weeks he must be running out of room and am so gutted as I really really don't want a c-section and have had such a good pregnancy. I think a lot of hospitals want to admit you immediately and keep you in too, which I'm not keen on, especially as I only live five minutes away. Am going to do lots of yoga and inversions etc and call the midwife on Monday to see if she can have a feel. The doctor wasn't sure so am just hoping she was wrong.

Hi, erm ok. Firstly, as many GPs will admits their skills at palpation aren't always great simply because they don't get to practice enough.
So I wouldn't be concerned right now.

Now a true oblique is actually very uncommon and does have a risk of prolapsed cord if your waters rupture.

However this is incredibly rare that it happens, please try not to worry and hopefully your midwife can settle your fears.

I imagine your baby is simply not engaged and like many babies won't get into position until labour or just before.

It's so hard to give better advice without seeing you am afraid . But do try not to worry.

I've seen women in clinic at 40 weeks with head still free of the pelvis or feeling slightly tilted towards oblique. But once those early contraction start you'd be amazed at what they can do for positioning of the baby.

The main concern with a high head or oblique lie is the risk of prolapsed cord if your membranes rupture prior to the onset of labour. But this can be a risk for every woman, so the key is to call delivery suite (or wherever you are planning to give birth) as soon as your waters go and they will advise you further. But honestly try not to worry until you see your midwife next. I'm sure if she uncertain also a scan will be arranged for you.

Thanks so much. Yes, the GP did say that midwives are much better at feeling for baby's position. I am doing lots of yoga and spending as much time as possible on all fours so hopefully that will work!!

I'm really sorry to hijack but you're giving such great replies I can't resist!

I really really want to figure out what I'm feeling in my belly. I'm obsessed, poking and prodding all day.

. It was head down at 30wk scan, then breech at another scan a few days later. I'm now 32+3. I felt certain he'd flipped back to head down but now I just can't tell! At the topI often get a hard lump pushing up and out, but it doesn't really feel round and when I press it it squirms away and feels more like limbs.

I feel completely full at the top of my bump, with lots of limb type shapes but I don't know of these are legs/knees/feet or hands/elbows/shoulders. I get most of the movement below belly button but these are wriggly, more gentle prodding sensations, the movements at the top are much stronger but are more like hard nudges and pushes than kicks. I get kicks into either side. When walking I feel something pushing in my cervix - feet or head?! The bottom of my bump feels almost empty and I can't find a head anywhere!

When I lie down I feel sick as though something is pushing my stomach up into my throat, which I've heard is sign of a breech, but I can't for the life of me find a hard round head anywhere in my bump to give me a clue!

When he has hiccups I feel in the whole bump so no help there.

Baby is measuring big, otherwise I'd consider a breech vaginal delivery, but consultant not keen esp due to size. An obviously keep telling me there's plenty of time to turn. But I'm convinced he'll come early!

So what do you reckon, head up or down? And any tips to find the head?!

Thanks in advance!

Lol sadly I couldn't possibly hazard a guess at head up or down without a prod am afraid.

Sorry :-)

What you describe feelings wise can't be normal for head down and breech so not hugely helpful without seeing you am afraid.

Oh we'll, never mind. Worth a try! If a baby is head down how should I feel it? Would it be really deep?

Sorry I had a type in what what you describe IS normal for both head down and breech.

But also remember until 36 weeks baby's can and do frequently swap position.

Lol! Bet youre sorry you posted now catches since we all hijacked the post! :-P
Ilovetosleep, i could have written your post as all i feel is hard lumps n bumps at sides and top of bump which im sure are knees and elbows, but no head, havnt felt the head once this time but did with other 2 dc on lots of occasions.
Im having scan next thur so ile come back and update what position hes in!