Second and Third Trimester Discussion (1/12)

footprint

What, what? That's right. This is the place for second and third trimester chit-chat. Talk away!

pblge

@Bananaboat05 - I know some babies are just way more active than others. I also know that long periods of time will pass with me feeling next to nothing from my extremely active girl and posterior placenta. I think this is normal.

Question re heartburn: It's suddenly gotten REALLY BAD for me. Like near constant burning regardless of what I do or don't eat or drink. It actually woke me up at 6 am today. I'm trying to figure out my triggers and such, but is this my new normal? Has anyone had it flare up for a while then stop? My midwife wants me to try management before I try meds.

footprint

@BananaBoat05‌ I think @pblge‌ is right - some babies are more active than others. Although I have no experience with anterior placenta. @pblge‌ my heartburn has gotten really bad after fading for a while. During first tri I used Tums Smoothies but they aren't really helping any longer. As gross as it it tastes, I use a teaspoon of baking soda in an ounce of water and drink it like a shot. Tastes gross, works amazingly. They say that bad heartburn means that baby has a lot of hair. But I had it with my son and he was bald until he was one. So who knows. My AW: I am 35 and 5!!! Shit is about to get real!

heathersf11

BananaBoat05 said:

I'm 25w3d and I still go hours and hours without feeling movement. Normal? I think I felt way more movement with my DD. I have an anterior placenta but I thought by now that wouldn't really matter anymore.

I am about a week behind you, and my little one has inactive periods too. This is especially true if I'm moving around a bunch. I figure he has to sleep sometime. 

natalie115

@bananaboat05 I definitely agree that some babies are more active then others. It may be an indicator of what LO will be like after he/she is born. DS was a crazy mover in the womb and he still goes non stop unless he's sleeping. Do you know when are you supposed to start kick counts?

@pblge I had heartburn so bad with DS I used Tums pretty much everyday. It would come on randomly and could be triggered by water. I hope you find some relief soon.

@footprint yay for 35/35!!

AFM: I think getting the flu shot at the tail end of my cold last Thursday wasn't a great idea. My OB said it was fine, but I was wrecked all weekend. I was super nauseous, threw up, throbbing headache, absolutely exhausted. Anybody else have any of those issues after a flu shot? I'm finally feeling better today.

taberbtb

@BananaBoat05‌ I would have periods like that where I wouldn't feel LO around 25w too and I don't have an anterior placenta. Like PP's have said at this point I don't think its anything to worry about. I was instructed not to start kick count until 28w for this very reason but if you're concerned you can always bring it up to your OB.

@pblge‌ I had crazy, constant, wake me up 3 times a night heartburn from around 20w right up until a week or so ago until LO finally dropped and relieved the pressure. I cut out all citrus, tomato, spicy and fried foods as well as sleeping propped up at night. I'm sorry to say none of it worked for me, but you could start there of your mw wants you to try managing it. I finally caved around 35w and took Zantac a few nights and it worked like a charm. I definitely wished I had tried that sooner on the nights it was so bad it would make me sick. GL!!

@natalie115‌ sorry I have no advice, but glad you're feeling better!

BackstreetPixie

Hello ladies! 28 weeks... Third tri... Woah really??? Can't believe it!

@BananaBoat05‌ anterior placenta here too! I had a hard time feeling anything till 20 weeks. But also like you around 25 and even to now i have periods of no movement. But I read that they do sleep something like 17 hours a day right now so try not to worry too much. My baby is most active early in the morning (when hubby is getting ready for work) in the evening (when he gets home) and when I lay down to sleep. If you are super concerned call the doc, but i think it is okay.

I have this sudden pain in the center of both armpits. They just hurt. Anyone know what that could be? I see my OB wed (weather allowing... Its been crazy snowy here the past few days) AW: I am passing a kidney stone and it suuuuucks without the heavy pain meds they usually give. (This is the 19th one I have had. I am prone to them) But on the upside I think I am FINALLY kicking the nasty cold/virus thing I have had since Thanksgiving!

shandorfml2

@backstreetpixie  Hmmm armpit pain? Perhaps related to your breasts getting ready for BF? 

Hi ladies, I'm at 26 weeks tomorrow. I have been hit hard with nesting and anxiety about getting ready! Like, daycare, doctors, will my husband keep working both part time jobs? Ahhhh! I have like 11 weeks until my csection, got to figure this shit out! Lol. For those with kiddos already, when is a good time to call a daycare/request a tour? Is it still pretty early or should I get on it?

pblge

BackstreetPixie - Congrats on hitting the third tri! So sorry about the kidney stones. Could the armpit pain be from lymph nodes? :-/

@natalie115 - My understanding is that sometimes you can have mild flu symptoms after the shot, as your body has a hard time distinguishing real flu from inactive virus. The good news is that it's not the real flu, so it won't make you nearly as sick. I've had two healthy friends land in the hospital from this year's flu, which seems much worse than usual.

If any of my students brings me the flu this semester (apparently the vaccine isn't so effective this year), I'm going to flunk them.

dragonfly1809

@BananaBoat05‌ 2nd anterior placenta here - which does diminish the feeling of movement until even further along. It's so hard to go through those bouts of quiet but try to be patient. Finn was a pretty laid back baby, I didn't feel him much until closer to 30 weeks and even then he wasn't much of a mover.

@pblge‌ I second you on the heartburn ..I have it constantly and still can't find what really triggers it. I'm going to try that baking soda & water trick!!

@footprint‌ WHHAAATTT?!?! 35/5 already!! So exciting!!
Is it just me or is time going by really fast?

@BackstreetPixie‌ I agree the armpit pain could be swollen lymph nodes.. related to hormones maybe? Definitely have your doctor look soon.

@shandorfml2‌ I say it's never too early to look into that sort of stuff. I'm a planner though, slightly type A organizer too, so I might be weird. Good luck!

Love to all you ladies!!
I've been a little MIA lately.. just preparing - mentally, emotionally, total nesting mayhem... I've been keeping myself stupidly busy to distract myself/stay sane(ish).
8 days until my c-section. 8 ...wow.

peggels24

@bananaboat05 I think the anterior placenta actually matters a ton.  Don’t worry – I’m sure that you will be feeling a ton of movement real soon.  I wish this little one would stop moving!  J

@pblge I’m sorry – heartburn is the WORST!  I’ve been able to deal with just Tums this whole pregnancy but prior to pregnancy, I had to take meds because it would get so bad.  I hope that you are able to get it under control.

@footprint Yay for entering the last month real soon!

@natalie115 Sorry that you were feeling so yucky but glad to hear you are feeling better.

@backstreetpixie No idea what the pain in the center of the armpits could be?  Strange as it sounds, my armpits were kind of swollen this past weekend – like they were sore to the touch and odd to shave.  They seem to be better now though. 

@shandorfml2 Get on those daycare tours!  The one that I liked was booked and I had to be put on waiting list for May 1.

@dragonfly1809 Holy crap – 8 days!!!!! Sending you lots of T&P’s and love. 

@racegurl87 Glad to hear that the acid reflux has subsided some.  I was doing really well with sleep until like the past 1-2 weeks and it just keeps getting worse.  Friday and Saturday nights were awful.  

Sllinge

@BananaBoat05‌ I too have an anterior placenta, I have found that if I am at home and I want to make baby move I will lay on one side for a while and then switch over, usually gives me a little movement, helps ease the anxiety. Although my LO seems to be pretty active day/night, which I blame on MH who can't ever sit still, since this kid is going to be the miniture version of him.

@shandorfml2‌ I've had my LO on the daycare list for over a month, and will likely do a tour after baby arrives before I go back to work, although mostly because I have fewer options in a small town. I feel like I have been trying to excessively plan whatever I can, since I feel like I have no control over anything else going on with baby.

I am 25w5d and yesterday I noticed (TMI sorry) that it seemed like my lower pelvic area/vagina was achy, like can sometimes happen after sex, even though that wasn't the case. After getting up a few times in the middle of the night to pee, because LO seems to reside on my bladder, it kind of started to ache a little more, felt kind of sore. And this morning whenever I stand up after sitting it feels like my bladder is going to explode. Has anyone else had this problem. I realize that it is probably just the muscles preparing for the future, but just curious. I would call the doctor but I always have to leave a message and wait for a nurse to call me back. Plus I haven't had any bleeding or contractions and LO has not slowed down in movements at all so I assume all is well internally...

peggels24

38w5d!  I'm going to the doctor every 3-4 days now - I go back on Thursday for an u/s, a NST and a cervical check.  I'm excited to be nearing the end (I truly wish the end was today but as I'm not feeling any contractions, my guess is it will not be today).

I feel like such a moron sometimes because I have no idea if I'm having contractions or gas pains or back pains from sleeping weird or what.  I'm just going on the theory that when I have true active labor contractions, I will know it and there won't be any question.  Luckily I live and work close to my hospital so if I'm wrong, there shouldn't be too much of an issue getting to the hospital.

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luciddreamer106

@peggels24‌ I'm at 38 weeks and feel the same way. I figure when it's real labor I'll know. I've had the same feeling regarding fluid leakage. Did my water just break? Nope. Haha.

peggels24

luciddreamer106 said:

@peggels24‌ I'm at 38 weeks and feel the same way. I figure when it's real labor I'll know. I've had the same feeling regarding fluid leakage. Did my water just break? Nope. Haha.

@luciddreamer106 It's hard to tell when or if I have more "fluid" down there.  I'm just going on the same assumption that I'll "know."

Of course my sister doesn't help when she tells me that neither she nor my mother knew when they were in labor with their first because they both had back labor.  She could at least lie to me LOL

pblge

GrailSeeker14 said:

Sllinge said:

<snip>

I am 25w5d and yesterday I noticed (TMI sorry) that it seemed like my lower pelvic area/vagina was achy, like can sometimes happen after sex, even though that wasn't the case. After getting up a few times in the middle of the night to pee, because LO seems to reside on my bladder, it kind of started to ache a little more, felt kind of sore. And this morning whenever I stand up after sitting it feels like my bladder is going to explode. Has anyone else had this problem. I realize that it is probably just the muscles preparing for the future, but just curious. I would call the doctor but I always have to leave a message and wait for a nurse to call me back. Plus I haven't had any bleeding or contractions and LO has not slowed down in movements at all so I assume all is well internally...

I'm having the same feeling, 26w today, and have the same questions.
I'm guessing it's normal - muscles/etc stretching or getting twinged here and there, or maybe baby kicking/punching/poking in just the right spot? I haven't called the OB about it yet, if it continues I may ask the nurse when I'm over at the clinic for my GTT.

Ditto. I've noticed that the further along I get, the more odd twinges and minor pains I have. I'm assuming this is just normal. I plan on worrying if the pain in more than moderate or it doesn't go away, otherwise I'm assuming it's just a pregnancy things

footprint

pblge said:

GrailSeeker14 said:

Sllinge said:

<snip>

I am 25w5d and yesterday I noticed (TMI sorry) that it seemed like my lower pelvic area/vagina was achy, like can sometimes happen after sex, even though that wasn't the case. After getting up a few times in the middle of the night to pee, because LO seems to reside on my bladder, it kind of started to ache a little more, felt kind of sore. And this morning whenever I stand up after sitting it feels like my bladder is going to explode. Has anyone else had this problem. I realize that it is probably just the muscles preparing for the future, but just curious. I would call the doctor but I always have to leave a message and wait for a nurse to call me back. Plus I haven't had any bleeding or contractions and LO has not slowed down in movements at all so I assume all is well internally...

I'm having the same feeling, 26w today, and have the same questions.
I'm guessing it's normal - muscles/etc stretching or getting twinged here and there, or maybe baby kicking/punching/poking in just the right spot? I haven't called the OB about it yet, if it continues I may ask the nurse when I'm over at the clinic for my GTT.

Ditto. I've noticed that the further along I get, the more odd twinges and minor pains I have. I'm assuming this is just normal. I plan on worrying if the pain in more than moderate or it doesn't go away, otherwise I'm assuming it's just a pregnancy things


I have had this feeling for quite a few weeks. I am 35 weeks and I am fine when I am sitting but the minute I stand up the weight and pressure of baby makes my pelvic floor ache. I keep expecting to stand up and have my vagina fall out

Sllinge

@footprint : This exactly!!! I have no idea how to copy part of what you said, but yes, I feel like my vagina might fall out... :-S

taberbtb

peggels24 said:

luciddreamer106 said:

@peggels24‌ I'm at 38 weeks and feel the same way. I figure when it's real labor I'll know. I've had the same feeling regarding fluid leakage. Did my water just break? Nope. Haha.

@luciddreamer106 It's hard to tell when or if I have more "fluid" down there.  I'm just going on the same assumption that I'll "know."

Of course my sister doesn't help when she tells me that neither she nor my mother knew when they were in labor with their first because they both had back labor.  She could at least lie to me LOL

Add me to this club! Maybe it's wishful thinking, but every time I feel I have cramping and backache I am praying its labour. Every time I feel that extra fluid I think it's my water breaking. If only it really was… [-O<

MoreThanSparrows08

Hey ladies! 38+2 here and SO DONE with this pregnancy!  I ache all over all the time - back, neck, hips, pelvic floor, legs, and I'm constantly exhausted from not sleeping well.  Everytime I stand up, the pressure on my pelvis and hips is so bad that I have to stop for a moment to adjust to the pain before I start walking, which is also very uncomfortable.  I don't remember being so absolutely miserable with my boys...

I've been having issues with circulation in my hands, especially at night, and more in my right hand/arm than my left.  I thought it was related to my hydration level, and after drinking copious amounts of water yesterday, it helped a bit, but I still had issues overnight with my right arm falling asleep, regardless of position.  I plan on asking my doc about this on Thursday, but any advice from you ladies is welcomed - I've never experienced this before.

At my appointment Friday, my doc said I was almost dilated to a 2, was about 50% effaced, and my cervix was very soft (sorry if TMI).  She mentioned something about trying a membrane sweep at some point, but I don't recall if she said this week or next week.  I'm also not sure if it's something I want to try - I've never had it done before, and the research seems to be inconclusive as to whether or not it actually helps get labor going.  I go back Thursday.

Got the crib set up, the play-pen with bassinet set up, and all the itty bitty tiny clothes washed, dried, and put away.  Glad to finally be getting this stuff done and getting ready for little boy's arrival.  The boys have pack "Go Bags" with pajamas, clothes and basic toiletries so that when I say it's go time, they only have to grab their bag and go to the car.  We live about 45 minutes to an hour from the hospital, and being my third, I doubt I'll have time to dilly-dally.

Also, my good friend, due about a week and a half before me, just had her little boy this morning - her third, as well.  Her labor was so fast she barely made it to the hospital.  I'm really hoping my labor isn't that quick, otherwise I'll be delivering in the car and I really don't want that experience...

footprint

@MoreThanSparrows08‌ I have the numbness/neuropathic pain in my hands when I sleep. The tingling gets so bad it wakes me up during the night, a lot. I am pretty sure it is carpal tunnel. I had it with my son, too. My doctor suggested braces for when I sleep, but I'm too cheap. I don't remember pregnancy hurting so bad with my son, either!

MoreThanSparrows08

@footprint It wakes me at night, too! As if I wasn't sleeping terribly enough as it was!  My right hand has starting going numb when I've got my elbow at a 90 degree angle - like when I'm crocheting or typing, etc... I keep having to stop what I'm doing to let my arm hang to get circulation back to it... Hoping it goes away quickly!

footprint

@MoreThanSparrows08‌ mine was gone as soon as i delivered my son. I try to remember to keep my hands flat when I sleep, although I love to sleep with them curled under my chin.

MoreThanSparrows08

@footprint I will give that a try!

smcniff

@pblge I have the same heart burn. Woke up last night with a ring of fire in my chest. I have a tums after every meal, usually 1 or two hours later, and 2 before bed (extra strength of course).  My doctors keep trying to get me to take Zantac, but I went to the scientific literature as to whether or not it is safe and I just wasn't satisfied.  @footprint and @dragonfly1809 be careful with the baking soda, it does work quite well to neutralize the acid in your stomach, but I believe it also is full of sodium, so it will also make swelling worse.

Anyone know when LO's movement is supposed to slow down a bit due to lack of room to move?  I swear my LO is still getting stronger and more active every day (I am just about 35 weeks).  It currently feels like she is trying to claw her way out.

Hope we get to see some wonderful birth stories soon @taberbtb, @morethansparrows08, @peggles24, @luciddreamer106, @dragonfly1809.  Hope everyone has a smooth and uneventful labor or C section!

taberbtb

@smcniff‌ I have no idea when movement is supposed to slow down but I can tell you for me at 37+4 it hasn't happened yet. LO is definitely out of room because a lot of the movement is actually painful, but still very active. I also find her to be very strong and "aware". If I cough or sneeze and my belly contracts or DH or someone hugs me tightly she fights back!! Hopefully you get some relief!!

peggels24

@MoreThanSparrows08‌ I hear ya on being done. I went from doing ok to just being done literally overnight. 

 @smcniff‌ The movement hasn't really slowed down for me either - maybe a little bit but nothing drastic. And it totally feels as if she has no idea how to get out and is just trying to get out through my stomach - she claws away all the time.

luciddreamer106

@smcniff‌ I haven't really experienced a slow down in movement, at least not yet. However , it does feel different now that LO is bigger, maybe just less intense.

beemaya83

@footprint‌ wow 35 and 5 getting so close!! I'll be 18 weeks tomorrow. I think I'm finally feeling a little something moving inside my belly.

shandorfml2

For ladies asking about movement...I think the movement just changes, less flips and so forth. Especially once baby has dropped into your pelvis. When I had my angel DD who was stillborn, one of the nurses said that a lot of people think that movement slows down, but not really. It changes, but if baby gets really quiet it is something to watch. 

BackstreetPixie

Thanks all! Going to OB today. I will ask about armpit pain though it has gone now. Think it could be lymph nodes or milk ducts from my googling.

Flowerstar1023

So many things resonate for me in this week's discussion!

I too have an anterior placenta and go hours without movement. I talked to my doctor about it today and she said this is normal. If I have some movement that's okay and that movement should pick up as I get further along. She also suggested eating something cold and sweet and devoting an hour to feeling baby move if I'm worried while laying down. And calling if I'm still worried.

My hands have been falling asleep a couple of times per night in association with how I'm positioned. Prior to pregnancy I slept on my stomach so I'm guessing I'm compressing my wrist somehow on my side. Anyone have any luck with the braces mentioned above?

I had that "vagina falling out"/super achy feeling from about weeks 21-24, especially when I'd been on my feet too much at work. It seems to be dissipating with resting more and also with having a pillow to support my stomach at night and then another one in between my thighs and knees. 

Best wishes to those of you due in the next few weeks and hang in there for the rest of us! While second trimester has flown by compared to the first trimester, 40 weeks still seems like a long way off in PGAL anxiety-land.

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footprint

@GrailSeeker14‌ I am sorry you have GD. I had it with my son. I monitored my blood sugar five or six times a day and recorded the information in a notebook. I did not need medication or insulin, but I understand that some women do. I believe I had an u/s around 36 weeks to check his size, as GD babies can be larger and they wanted to prepare for a c/s if need be (he was born c/s due to fetal distress not related to GD five days later weighing 5lb12oz).

For me, GD made me eat healthier and test but really didn't effect too much else. I has to eat smaller, healthier meals and snacks and had to cut out gratuitous carbs, but that was about it. I think they tested me after my c/s but I think my GD was gone when he was born.

Feel free to ask me anything. Good luck.

MoreThanSparrows08

@grailseeker14 I'm sorry about you failing your GTT.  I don't have any experience, but wanted to give you lots of ((hugs))

Completely random question - I have a labor buddy on my BMB Facebook, but she didn't contact me when she went into labor, and, since we haven't had much connection, I doubt I'll contact her when it's my turn.  I'm wondering if it's worth having one to post on my behalf while I'm in labor... thoughts?

heathersf11

pblge said:

GrailSeeker14 said:

Sllinge said:

<snip>

I am 25w5d and yesterday I noticed (TMI sorry) that it seemed like my lower pelvic area/vagina was achy, like can sometimes happen after sex, even though that wasn't the case. After getting up a few times in the middle of the night to pee, because LO seems to reside on my bladder, it kind of started to ache a little more, felt kind of sore. And this morning whenever I stand up after sitting it feels like my bladder is going to explode. Has anyone else had this problem. I realize that it is probably just the muscles preparing for the future, but just curious. I would call the doctor but I always have to leave a message and wait for a nurse to call me back. Plus I haven't had any bleeding or contractions and LO has not slowed down in movements at all so I assume all is well internally...

I'm having the same feeling, 26w today, and have the same questions.
I'm guessing it's normal - muscles/etc stretching or getting twinged here and there, or maybe baby kicking/punching/poking in just the right spot? I haven't called the OB about it yet, if it continues I may ask the nurse when I'm over at the clinic for my GTT.

Ditto. I've noticed that the further along I get, the more odd twinges and minor pains I have. I'm assuming this is just normal. I plan on worrying if the pain in more than moderate or it doesn't go away, otherwise I'm assuming it's just a pregnancy things

      I've been having this symptom on and off since about 14 weeks. Things get sort of achy, especially when I'm up walking around too long. Sorry if TMI, but it seems to be more noticeable the day following a sleepgasm. I asked my OB about the aches and she said it was all normal, and didn't seem concerned at all. 

kaynix21

I'm 22w5d - baby boy was moving like crazy the last three days and today has been SUPER quiet. I'm a FTM and had my first loss very early, so I'm totally lost as to what I should experience.

And my eating is suddenly out of control. This happened about a month ago, calmed down and is now back. But I swear I've gained three pounds this week. Just feeling frustrated and a little out of control of myself.

jap618

I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling like their vagina is going to fall out. The pressure is awful when I stand up. It just started this week at 33w.

Also with pediatricians.. when should I schedule her first appointment? Should I interview the doctor before hand? We're planning on convenience to home unless something else comes up. Does anyone have a list or link of appointments for the first year? I'll be honest that I haven't taken to Google or asked my OB. I don't know why; I just feel like I should know this. However ridiculous that sounds.

pblge

@jap618 said:

 Also with pediatricians.. when should I schedule her first appointment? Should I interview the doctor before hand? We're planning on convenience to home unless something else comes up. Does anyone have a list or link of appointments for the first year? I'll be honest that I haven't taken to Google or asked my OB. I don't know why; I just feel like I should know this. However ridiculous that sounds.

We just started looking around at pediatricians. Apparently you want one in place before the baby is born, as sometimes they'll even come see the baby while you're still in the hospital. Then the first visit is usually around 2 weeks. There are some good articles about finding a pediatrician on the web, but I'm not finding my favorite right now. The key points were to make sure that their office hours and location would work with your schedule, and that they would be willing to support your decisions. E.g., if you're not planning on BFing, will they be supportive? Do their views on vaccines jive with your own? For us a key issue is that we're going to be raising vegetarian kids, mostly bc both DH and I have been vegetarian for around 25 years and genuinely have no idea what to do with meat. (We won't force this on our kids once they start leaving the house regularly, but we have been told that a lot of pediatricians are pretty hostile on this issue, so when we start interviewing (which they do recommend!), we'll be asking about this.) 

Here's one article, including a list of the first year's appts:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/Pages/Finding-a-Pediatrician.aspx

shandorfml2

@jap618 How my office worked last time with angel DD, I picked the practice I liked, called and they put down my due date. Then what would have happened if DD lived was they would come see the baby in the hospital before we were discharged. I think from there they would set up appointments, 2 weeks being the first I think. They will tell you when you would need to come back