20 week scan was fine, so why am I still worried?!

[CobaltRose96]

Hi all,

I'm currently 20+5 with my first baby. This is my second pregnancy (suffered a MMC at 12 weeks back in April). Due to my previous loss this pregnancy has been fraught with anxiety.

I had my 20 week scan yesterday and was thrilled to see that everything was fine with my baby girl. Heart, brain, measurements etc all normal. Sonographer even said it was a 'nice easy, normal scan'.

I also found out that I have an anterior placenta and she had wedged herself right up against it, making it hard to get a shot of her face, little monkey! 😂

So, everything is perfectly fine. So why am I still worrying? I think it's partly because I haven't really felt any movements yet (aside from occasional pops and flutters which might actually be gas and not baby) and during the scan she didn't really move much. A little nod of the head and movement of the foot, but that's it. I know she was most likely just comfy/asleep but I'm still worried! The sonographer could still get all the measurements she needed.

I read posts from women who have been feeling their baby kicking away for weeks and I'm like 'not me!'.

I know I'm likely just being silly but this anxiety is making it hard to enjoy my pregnancy! 😞

Pic of my little monkey ❤

Bump!

Congrats on your healthy baby first and foremost!

With an anterior placenta and this being your first baby, it will take longer to feel kicks but it should happen very soon for you I promise.

I understand it’s difficult to stop worrying and I still do now at 38 weeks following two mmc’s last year. Miscarriages kind of zap the enjoyment out of future pregnancies because you’re all too aware of what can go wrong so the ignorance has been removed. I honestly don’t think there is a way of coping other than to take life one day at a time and try to remind yourself that the chances of something going wrong at this stage are extremely slim.

Having also been pregnant after miscarriage I can fully sympathise with worrying over every little niggle etc. It's natural to worry! Try to relax and put your feet up whenever you can! :)

I worried through both my pregnancies, births, infant years, toddler years, nursery years, primary school and secondary school years... I think it's part of the Motherhood territory.

I'm 27werks with my first baby and wasn't certain I was feeling baby move until 22/23 weeks. So do t panic about that, baby's quite the little wriggler now, it can just take time to know what you are feeling and as a pp said an anterior placenta can make it harder to feel movements!

I mean this very kindly but having read a lot of your posts over the past few months I think you’re going to be someone who worries all the way through! Honestly don’t mean that unkindly at all.
As a PP says, there is always something you could worry about. Mine are 4, 3 and I’m 31 weeks pregnant. I’m currently worried that my oldest has friends at school, that my youngest will be ready for school next year and worried that my currently breech baby won’t turn. Worrying is normal!

@SoyDora, I know what you mean! Don't worry, I'm not offended, you're totally right! 😂

I had an anterior placenta with my first baby and definitely didn't feel kicks that early - maybe some vague movements that I couldn't honestly say for definite was the baby but probably not definitive until about 24 weeks. Throughout my whole pregnancy he moved regularly and at certain times of the day but if I was busy I really didn't notice his movement and I used to hear all sort of people say theirs was super active and kicking them loads but I never got that. A couple of times I went to be checked for what I felt were reduced movements and the baby was fine.

I'm now pregnant again with a posterior placenta and the difference in movement is huge (might also be a more active baby) so don't worry about what other people say in terms of movement. Focus on what's normal for you once you do start to feel them and make sure that movement pattern doesn't change - that's the most important part!

Hi @Cobaltrose,

I've read a lot of your posts over the past few months as I'm the same gestation as you, well I'm 20 + 3 and I can empathise.

This is my 6th pregnancy after 5 miscarriages. There is always something to worry about as pp have said.

I worried before the 12 week scan, then movements, already about reduced movement, then what would they find at the 20 week scan. After a great 20 week scan on Tuesday, I began to entertain the idea of really obscure disorders that might cause still birth. I had to give myself a good talking to yesterday and say until there is something to worry about, don't.

I'm not comforted by statistics, as I'm already in the 1% of women to have 3+ miscarriages in a row, but I do take comfort in knowing that this bubba is growing well and so is yours.

It's hard, but try to take each day as it comes and enjoy your pregnancy. When you do worry, your midwife should be able to ease any fears you have. It's a long slog in pregnancy after loss, but they're called rainbow babies for a reason .

Count all the positives you've had so far and you'll see how far you've already come.

I had an anterior placenta with DS1 and I didn't feel any movements until 22 weeks and even then it was very gentle. I don't think you need to worry about a pattern of movements until 26 ish weeks.

Counselling.

I say it on every one of your threads, as do others.

Congratulations on your little girl.