20 week scan on Tuesday - really scared

[CathyandHeathcliff]

I'm really worried. I've posted about this before but I do suffer with GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) and OCD. I can't stop worrying something will be wrong. I think I'm calmer than I was for the 12 week scan, but I'm still really really anxious.
The main worry is no heartbeat, followed by something being diagnosed as wrong on him or her, like a defect of some kind.
I haven't really felt any proper movement yet and I'm 20+1. I also don't really have a bump, just seem to have got fatter.

Any advice would be great. Everything on the 12 week scan was fine.

Try not to worry too much. I think you posted a couple of days ago describing something that sounds exactly like movement. As you know, with an anterior placenta (and carrying a bit of extra weight? sorry if I've confused you with someone else for that bit) you are likely to feel movement later so it's great that you've already felt it. Missed miscarriage in the second trimester is incredibly rare and coupled with having felt movement you should try to set aside the anxiety about no heartbeat.

My bump has finally become more obvious at 21/22 weeks although even now if I wear certain clothes I just look fat. That said, when people do notice my bump they think I look quite far along so I think small or no bump is very normal at this stage too.

Regarding the other possible anomalies... The possibility is very scary, but remember they are all quite rare. Posts on Mumsnet do tend to make them seem more common as a lot of people only post when they need help or advice. The majority of the anomalies are things that can be dealt with and it's best to know about them so the best care is in place as soon as possible.

Try to focus instead on the excitement of seeing your baby again! Are you going to find out the gender? Xx

My scan is also Tuesday I’m also beyond anxious

Thank you both. I haven't been told I have an anterior placenta but I am plus size.

@lovemyhorsesxo have you felt any movement yet? Good luck for your scan x

With ds (my first) I had an anterior placenta which wasn't mentioned until the 20 week scan and I couldn't feel him move until 24 weeks at least.

This pregnancy, we didn't tell people until well after my 20 week due to age (I'm 40) and no one had noticed a thing. Even at 30 weeks, people were surprised I was so pregnant because of the way I carry. It's like my babies like to displace my organs and hang out at my back.

This time around for various reasons, I was really nervous at my 20 week scan and then ds's childcare fell through last minute so we had to take him along as well. I went in by myself to start with, explained my fears and they did a quick check for the heartbeat before asking dh and ds to come in. Everything was fine and once they knew how nervous I was, took great pains to reassure.

That's true, you don't usually find out where your placenta is until 20-week scan. I found out earlier as I had extra scans at 16 weeks. Sorry about the mix-up.

It is normal to worry about the anomaly scan but try not to dwell on it. Just a couple more days before you see your baby again :) It's good to be aware that issues might crop up just in case but it is very rare. Hope it goes well xxx

I’ve been feeling movement from 18 weeks but it’s my second baby so I’m used to the kicks etc and also i go private so see a consultant who scans me every visit and she said that I have a posterior placenta (or something like that ) and that’s why I’m able to feel kicks and punches so strongly

The wait between 12 was and 20 weeks is too long.. I went for my anomaly scan this Thursday.. It was very thorough and saw the 4 chambers of the heart.. Baby was tossing and turning throughout the scan...

I'm now nearly 21 was and have increased movements..

How did your scan go OP? X