Due July 2024 - part 3

[Oatmilktea]

I noticed the other thread was full and have started a new one.

Lovely to hear of everyone’s 20 week scans. Thanks to those of you who gave me a list of baby essentials, very helpful!

Hope you’re all doing well!

@Macccc DS is a bit older, he'll be almost 3 when baby arrives, but we're planning on getting a buggy board. We would've done the same if he was 2.5.

We will have a 1.5 year (1 yr 7mo) age gap, but I would rather avoid a double pram if possible. I've heard that if you can have the new baby in a sling/carrier and the toddler in the buggy that can work. My son isn't walking yet, so unless there is something much more seat-like that could attach to the pram, I don't know if that would work. However, if this baby is small like my son was, it could be weeks (months!) until he/she is big enough for the recommended minimum size for a sling/carrier. So then I guess we would have to get a double buggy. (We also have no car.)

I have a 24-week scan tomorrow. I forget whether it's just to check cervix length or something more to do with the baby. We'll see!

Thanks ladies for your advice, think we’ll just go for a buggy board with a seat. And then can wear baby in sling and use pram for toddler if needed. We have a stroller as well so if it’s the weekend and we’re doing something at least we can have them both in separate prams.

@Bluebonnet3 good luck with your scan today!

I had my 20 week scan on Friday and everything seems fine. The scan itself was agony because baby just wouldn't get into position but 4 hours and a lot of walking later, we got it.

I've been asked to take an ICT test because I have a negative blood group. Wondering if anyone has gone through this.

I have a negative blood group. They did a blood test to check baby's blood type to see if I needed the anti-d. For my daughter not but this time I do need it. I understand in some areas they don't test baby's blood type so you routinely have anti-d at 28 weeks and after birth.

I’m rhesus negative too, at my 16 week mw appt they tested the baby’s blood type but it took 6 weeks for the results to come back despite me chasing which was frustrating. Baby girl is predicted positive so I’m having the anti d at 28 weeks. Although the results weren’t uploaded onto my app like they should have been, and they just told me on the phone when I rang again to chase so the sceptic in me thinks they’ve lost my sample and are just saying she’s positive just in case!

Oh interesting to hear about baby blood tests for rhesus negative people. I am too and where I am they just give the anti D anyway. I even had it after my mc because I ended up needing surgical management.

On the buggy question, DD (2.5) is a pram hater and we haven’t used hers for about six months so we’re going to try a buggy board. Knowing her she’ll hate that too so we might just have to keep walking at toddler pace for a while longer 😂 I really hope the new one is more pram tolerant…

How did you all find the anti-d? My midwife said it was horrendous! My friend said it was fine just slow to administer!

All three times I’ve barely noticed it so I’m sure your mw is exaggerating!!

I mean she did not sell it to me! Then was a bit sheepish when I said I had to have it!

Also rhesus negative and baby predicted to be positive. Got my 28 weeks anti-d booked. One of the midwife’s said it’s usually administered in the thigh? Not sure why, I daren’t ask! 😅

I had it in my arm after surgical management following my mc and I don’t remember it being too painful!

I have been told my arm. I also asked questions and the plasma comes from America!

Thank you for the replies. I've never heard of this before and it's honestly a bit worrying to me.
They said they'll also check the artery in my umbilical cord and idk how they're going to do this. I'm afraid it'll be invasive.

I read online that it's a simple blood test but can anyone share how the test was done, if it's not just a blood test from the arm? Did you have to do/ go through anything else?

It was literally one extra blood test from your arm to check baby's blood type. No other tests and then if baby is positive you get the anti-d which is an injection in your arm.

@ceruleansky the artery bit might be after baby is born. Here, you get the anti D at 28 weeks anyway, and then once baby comes they check the cord blood for their blood type and if positive then you get another shot of anti D. I think maybe my first one was in the leg, second two in the arm. None of them bothered me at all.

Ohhh anti d ladies!!
im also negative type and been booked in for the jab. I would be intrigued to know baby girls blood type but I guess I’m just in a default area

ive had the jab twice before it’s super easy 👌one in arm one in butt cheek!

Second time mums you mentioned prams and buggies. I am also on a stroller hunt! I think I’m overly obsessing about it 😂 I want a compact travel one from the start but hubby wants good wheels, apparently that’s too much to ask for and I don’t want to put anymore hours into researching 😂 funny what you end up focusing on!!

@Sophie3003 @Amberellaella
Thank you for your replies and the information.

I had 2 scans yesterday at 24w + 5d. One was a growth scan and the other was a cervical length check. Both went well. Baby is looking right on track size-wise, which is reassuring as DS was under 3rd centile when he was born. (He's perfectly healthy and normal size now at 15 months old.) And I found out we are having a girl! 💗

A couple of weeks ago I had my gestational diabetes screening, and apparently the results are fine, however they have booked me in for a repeat in 2 weeks as the first one was done too early! Ugh! The test is mainly lots of waiting around, but I could really do without a repeat. Admin error I suppose, in scheduling the first one too early. Oh well, could be worse.

@Bluebonnet3 Aww another girl! Glad that your scans went well. Hopefully the second gestational diabetes test goes well too.

Had my 24week midwife appointment today. Went well, BP and urine is fine.

We were fiddling with the Doppler for ages today. If it wasn't for the fact that the baby kicked the midwife 3 or so times, I would have been worried. In the end we heard her heartbeat.

I seem to have a social baby, whenever anyone wants to touch my bump, they are met with a bump or kick! She may be a cheeky girl.

Hope everyone is doing well.

@ExpectantEs hahha sounds like my little one, she loves it when someone has hand on belly, goes right to it!

Question - I am 21+5 and gained just under a stone already! I was already overweight to begin with thanks to my comfort eating, given the hellish journey we had getting pregnant and struggle with body image so badly. Is this a normal amount or am I already going way over board on weight gain?!

@missmoosh I felt like I gained loads in my last pregnancy and possibly have gained more this time but I'm trying not to worry because last time I dropped to my pre-pregnancy weight so quickly due to breastfeeding (and possibly not eating properly at lunchtimes because it's hard to make a meal when you have a velcro baby!)

@wannabe123 yeah I am telling myself it's totally normal and I can lose it once baby is out. I won't be doing any dieting whilst pregnant, but maybe I will cut back on the chocolate 😂😂 thank you for the reassurance 😊

Blimey don't worry about putting on weight- I put on half my body weight again last time (4 stone) and with breastfeeding lost it in 4 months. This time I am bigger but I can't worry about it now! Just hoping it falls off the same!