2nd trimester check in - Week of Jan 29

helloworld9

How are our wonderful second trimester future mommas this week?

Mommies to be:

@nmtay EDD 4/27 TWINS! B/G

@helloworld9 EDD 5/5 BOY!

@ReesaAnne16 EDD 5/15 GIRL!

@Hopeful_mom EDD 6/6 

@FuzzyDust EDD 6/8 BOY!

@Holls214 EDD 6/14 BOY!

@TravelingCouple EDD 6/19 GIRL!

@Aera11 6/21

@mtpbadger EDD 7/4?

@coco305 EDD 7/14

@jr102217 EDD 7/15

@cseley321 EDD 7/22 GIRL!

@safire3 EDD 7/23 BOY!

helloworld9

Welcome @coco305! I took a stab at your EDD. Do you know boy or girl?

AFM 26th week this week. Almost to third tri, wow! Sometimes I just still can't believe it.

rel_1987

Hey ladies just wanted to give you a quick update on my ultrasound results today. Ds right kidney is still dialated. We will be referred to a urologist and be seen when he is 3 to 5 wks old. Other than that he was measuring 30wk5days. Probably gonna take after his father who is 6ft4in and 250lbs lol. I wish you all the best and can't wait to see you on the 3rd tri board

Aera11

@rel_1987 so glad you had a good scan! 

Hopeful_mom

@rel_1987 thanks for the update and pic! glad there is a plan in place...wishing you continued success!!

@Holls214 hey sorry you're feeling so awful.  Are you still taking the nausea meds?  Funny I sat eating crackers tonight as I wasn't feeling great!  As for work are you able to get most of your work done?  Can you take some sick days.  I feel like you're being too hard on yourself.  When I just go to the store shopping I feel like i'm done for the rest of the day so I think your exhaustion is normal.  Hows your cold are you over that, I wonder if your body is still fighting that off.

coco305

Thank you @helloworld9 I'm 7/14 and I'm not finding out  
@rel_1987 best of luck! 
@Hollz2014 exhaustion has hit me too, never got it in the first tri, now all I am is tired. 

mtpbadger

Hello ladies! It's been awhile since I've posted but glad to hear everyone is chugging along! I'll have a busy month of appointments this week - anatomy scan next Monday, OB appt 2/12 and fetal echocardiogram on 2/15. When we told a friend, she asked if she could do a gender reveal for us, so we won't be finding out until 02/17 - we're doing a joint bday party for me and gender reveal. I honestly think that'll make it seem REALLY real (I still think I'm in denial at times that I'm actually pregnant!) My bump is finally starting to grow a bit, although I haven't gained much weight which makes me a little nervous and I'll talk to my OB about it in two weeks. 

Holls214

@Hopeful_mom the doctor via email thinks it’s still the cold or flu lingering but I’m going in right now to get some blood tests done to be sure. Feels like I’m slacking major at work so I hope my boss doesn’t get mad but I don’t know what else to do... yeah I’m still on nausea meds but have cut back on them but obviously still need them because I’m still vomiting at times. Eye roll. Hope you are doing well! 
@coco305 you aren’t finding out? How exciting.  
@mtpbadger good luck with all your appointments! A gender reveal sounds like so much fun. We found out through PGS testing otherwise I would have done one too. Yay! 

mtpbadger

@holls214 hope you feel better soon! I didn't want to find out at all, but DH really does, so I feel like this is a somewhat okay compromise. As long as the sono tech doesn't just blurt it out! DH is big into golf, so we may go to Top Golf and he'll hit a golf ball that explodes into either pink or blue. I told him he's the point person to figure out the details with our friend who's planning it so I don't really know how the reveal will happen!

Holls214

@mtpbadger we did a golf themed announcement card. We both love golf. How fun! Thanks. Here was one of our pictures. 

TravelingCouple

@rel_1987 that's exactly what we did with my DS and his kidney, ultrasound at a few weeks old. It's hard to hear anything could possibly be wrong, but hopefully the one kidney will catch up to the other one before his next ultrasound

AFM, 20 weeks today! We had our anatomy scan this morning, it was sooo hard not finding out. But we gave the envelope with gender inside to my BFF and she's planning something for us on Friday. I'm so excited to find out!

cseley321

I am going out of my mind waiting on the results of the Maternity21 test. I think after finding out the sex, I may announce, but for some reason I am just having a hard time putting it out there.

FuzzyDust

I dissipated for a while, but happy to see everyone's updates. 
@Holls214 , feel better! and yes, do check the blood, maybe you're short on some mineral.

I had my anatomy scan last week - baby is growing great, and they confirmed once again that it's a boy My placenta is a bit too close to cervix, but they'll monitor it. I'm not too worried - from what  read it does move up in 90% cases.
I still sleep 10 hours/night, and could do more, but I need to go to work. I also started weekly prenatal massage, which really helps. One of the appointments I was just one big knot, and my therapist suggested that I might have shortage or minerals. I relayed that to my doctor, and she suggested to eat calcium supplements, bananas, and tomatoes. Sure, I crave those anyways I'm also finally starting prenatal yoga in 2 weeks (a long waiting list), so that's exciting.

I haven't gained any extra weight, just maybe barely got back to my pre-pregnancy one. Dr isn't worries, since the baby is growing fine, but she told me to eat more meat (protein) if I worry.

Sleeping becoming more and more difficult, even though I don't even have a real bump yet. I just feel more swollen, and arms/hips fall asleep faster. I think my hips are still sore/numb from PIO.

The good news is that I've been felling the baby move for over 2 weeks now can't wait for the movement to become pronounced enough so that DH can feel it too on the outside

Hopeful_mom

@mtpbadger @TravelingCouple how fun gender reveals yay!!!  Enjoy the moment sounds like a lot of fun!  Do you have a feeling one way or the other?
@mtpbadger exciting to have the appointments coming up as it makes the time go faster a bit nerve racking but when isn't it - good luck on everything!!

@coco305 are you and DH in agreement about not finding out?  My OH doesn't want to know but I keep checking out the US so I have an idea

@FuzzyDust good to hear from you glad things are moving along nicely!  Are you eating carbs?  I feel like I blew up after week 17 just like that its crazy!  I live to feel this baby move its just the greatest feeling ever!

@holls214 is your boss really going to be mad, hoping they'll cut you a lil bit of slack, you are sick to here.  AND the flu is no joke and you need to get back to your health first!  Rest rest@coco305

AFM:  22 weeks tomorrow woohoo!!  Saw my OB today and as he walked into the room he was like you're more then 1/2 way there, YES!!!  I'm lucky that I get to see my lil one as he's checking for the HB, best sound ever!!  I do feel like its pretty hard to take a deep breathe so he wants me to see a cardiologist.  I just feel like I'm in the 9 month which we know i'm not, wishful thinking   So another appt to make for myself.  Got my bottle of fun for the glucose test for my next appt...not looking forward to that one!!  Had some pizza tonight as I feel like I will need to cut back on my carbs!
Oh and one other exciting update from the OB was when I asked about the SCH he mentioned they aren't as concerned about that anymore as my uterus is much bigger   I'll take it!  That darn thing had me spotting through week 16 and always scared...I always like hearing good things!
How soon did everyone have the echo for the baby?

Joslynj11

**lurking** @Hopeful_mom MFM doctor I was referred to wasn't able to get me in until I was 27/28 weeks because they were so busy but I was ok with that because I really wanted a 3rd tri US and my OB really only did dating scans and 20 US. Her heart looked fine at 28 weeks though

Aera11

@Hopeful_mom my echo is at 24 weeks!  

that's so nice of your friensd @mtpbadger & @travelingcouple! and how fun  

@FuzzyDust I am thinking of starting weekly or bi-weekly prenatal massages, do they have you lay on your side or back?  

mtpbadger

@hopeful_mom my echo will be right at 20 weeks. The hospital said anywhere between 20-24 (or wasn’t it 26?) weeks was fine. 

Aera11

I had a second anatomy scan today at the hospital before they'll do the echo & she tried do the echo but baby wouldn't cooperate so we'll be back in 3-4 weeks for it.  Baby was sucking or appear to be sucking it's thumb!

cseley321

Sooooo it's a girl! I got my Maternity21 results today and everything looks good!

jr102217

Hello! It's been awhile since I've posted. I'm 16w4d today and due July 15. Since week 14, I've hurt my lower back from sneezing, cried my eyes out after going through finances and non-existent maternity leave in the US, and finally told our close family members and friends. Great to see everyone's announcements and gender reveals!

I wish we wouldn't find out the gender but DH wants to know, so I agreed that we would find out and not tell anyone... Only problem is that everyone wants to know and some people don't think (and have rudely noted) that my husband won't be able to keep it a secret. So after reading it here or another forum, we're basically lying and saying everyone will find the gender out after the delivery of the baby. That way, people don't bother us about it, besides the normal guessing game. On a happy note, our anatomy scan will be in exactly 2 weeks!

@Hopeful_mom good luck with the glucose test! Will it be the 1hr or 3hr test? I did both last month and that bottle of stuff tasted nasty but somehow I held it in. 

@FuzzyDust that's awesome that you're feeling the baby move! I think I have too at night but I also don't know if it's just gas. LOL 

safire3

@Holls214 Hope you start feeling better soon. I’m still super exhausted as well and I’ve had a cough for about 3 weeks now which is not helping.
@TravelingCouple Congrats on hitting the half way mark! And tomorrow you will know what you’re having! So exciting! Keep us updated too lol.
@cseley321 Congrats on on good results and having a baby girl!! I feel the same as you, it’s so hard to tell people. I think because I’m still worried something will go wrong. I finally told work and some extended family this week after we got our results back last week. DH wants to announce on social media on Valentines Day but I’m still hesitant.
@FuzzyDust prenatal massage sounds heavenly. I’m going to have to look for a place near me because my back pain is killing me.
@Hopeful_mom so happy that SCH isn’t a concern anymore! My fetal echo is scheduled for when I am 21 weeks. 

Afm nothing major going on. I have some more blood work next week (2nd part of genetic testing? I’m not even sure since I already did NIPT) then I’m impatiently waiting for anatomy scan on the 27th. Did anyone get their anatomy scan done under 20 weeks? I think I remember the receptionist saying 20 weeks but I just noticed I’ll be 19 weeks at the time they gave me. Wondering if I should call and double check but if so that’s also pushing it back another week. 

Holls214

@safire3 I had mine done at 19 weeks, so I think you should be good. How exciting! We had a second test of blood tests around that time as well. I don't remember what exactly it was for but maybe additional genetics? 
Yes a massage sounds lovely! I think we all deserve a great massage.
Finally feeling a bit better. Got the extra blood tests results done just in case and everything was normal except high white blood cell counts which I guess just reflects the flu virus. 
@jr102217 I actually hurt my back a couple weeks ago from sneezing as well... It sucks but it is a ton better now. I did it in the middle of the night too. Ouch- sorry! I agree that maternity leave is so stressful or should I say the lack there of in most companies... My company just offers any time off you want, but you get to take your sick/vacation time, so really not a lot of paid time. I think I might just take like 1.5 months and then work part-time from home for a month before going back. Who knows. 

Holls214

@cseley321 yay on having a girl- congrats!
@Aera11 sorry babes wouldn't cooperate for you. We don't even have our echo scheduled. I am 21 weeks. I am going to email my doctor. 

mtpbadger

@safire3 I’ll be 18w5d at my anatomy scan. I asked mg OB if that was okay being before 20 weeks she said that’s fine. A week or two isn’t going to make that much of a difference according to her. Is the blood work for the AFP (I think that’s what it is called)? which is done between 16-19 weeks to check for spina bifida and one or two other things. I just did mine the other day but don’t have the results yet which of course is freaking me out!

Aera11

@Holls214 I even had a little coffee before & that stinker wouldn't move for her.  We already had our anatomy scan the week before, this was a second so it didn't bother me. It was just a nice chance to see baby again!  Glad you're feeling better too!  I threw up again yesterday which was so random, I'm wondering if it's a hormone surge.  

FuzzyDust

@Hopeful_mom Thanks! I can't say that I'm loading up on simple carbs, but I crave raw vegetables, can eat a whole head of cabbage, followed by a tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, and an apple or grapefruit for desserts... and definitely eat way less meat than I did pre-pregnancy. It's just harder to eat big meals, and since I'm not allowed deli mean, it's hard to find snack meat otherwise. I also got my bottle of glucose fun for the next apt And scheduled echo for tomorrow - I'll be 22 weeks, and they said it should be done at about 20 weeks. Oh well...

@Aera11 Prenatal massage is on your side. At leat all the therapist I foudn in my area do it this way. They give you 3 pillows (one for head, one for leg, one to hug) and then you turn to the other side half-way through. I saw some fancy pregnancy massage tables online that should allow you to lie on your belly, but didn't see any therapists that actually uses one of those. Highly recommend the massage - it really helps! I sleep like a baby the nigth after.

@jr102217 I've stated to fill little flatters at about 18 weeks, and they were mostly around nighttime, so it's very likely that what you're feeling is the baby

AFM, baby turned into an Energizer bunny in the last 2 days. I didn't realize they can be this active around the clock! Hopefully I'm not in for an hyper-active baby once he comes out

helloworld9

@FuzzyDust Today my baby was moving A LOT. Which is great, I definitely prefer the days I feel him moving than days I don't (like yesterday)! It's really nerve wracking for me. And when my husband finally felt the baby move, it was a great moment!

@safire3 I have heard of people doing anatomy scans from 18w-22w!

@jr102217 I have definitely joked to my husband about not finding out the sex of the baby, but he wanted to know more than I did!

@cseley321 A little princess! Congrats!

@Aera11 I wish I had another ultrasound! My last was the anatomy scan at 20w. My 28w appointment is next week. Oh well...

@TravelingCouple That's such a cute idea about the sex reveal!

@mtpbadger I felt like my bump really started to grow the last half of second trimester. You will get there sooner than you know it!

@rel_1987 That's such a great profile pic! Wow.

@Holls214 Aww what a super cute announcement!

@Hopeful_mom It's so amazing you're past halfway! And soon it will be viability for you. I didn't have a fetal echo done, but I think a ton of people do. My OB thinks I'm low risk for some reason. Let's hope she's right!

Aera11

@FuzzyDust good to know!  I think I will get one on the schedule then I am fine with my side but have never had one that way so I was just curious how it was.  I've been having trouble sleeping lately so if it helps with sleep, I am all for it!

@helloworld9 will you get an u/s at 28 weeks? I know, it's so hard to go from frequent ones to basically never.  I had one at 12w6d and not again til 18w4d and it felt like an eternity.  My next one is the echo on February 27th and that is it unless there is an issue but I can do the 3D at my OB at 30 weeks, so that is one more to look forward to!  

Aera11

Also, I don't know if we'll do any announcement anywhere & I doubt I'd use this since most don't know about our fertility treatments, but I took this today just for my own memory book!

Hopeful_mom

@safire3 its funny we've been through so much yet all these tests are so foreign to many of us.  So apparently at weeks 12 and 16 they repeat the same blood work and add spina bifida.  At week 16 I had a pre anatomy scan i guess you could say and then the real deal they call it at week 20.  If your dr was concerned about week 19 they would've told you...call and ask it'll put your mind at ease!

@cseley321 awwwww a princess how fabulous!!  You already have a son? I'm with you I still find myself in disbelief and not telling many.

@aera11 such a lovely keep sake for sure!!!  its so interesting how all our dr are all different.  So far I had my OB this week and then two weeks its back to the MFM and then back to OB in 2 weeks after that...keeps me some what relaxed if thats possible.

@helloworld9 I'm so excited to be 1/2 way and kind of dont believe it...like each time I get to a lil milestone I'm like is it may yet

Here's a story to laugh at...my foot fell a sleep last night and woke me up and i was more on my back...and now i'm just suppose to be on my sides.  I knew i wasn't on my back long but my foot follow asleep i thought "O g-d what if blood isn't getting to the baby!!"  Yes panicked pregnant lady here - dear lord.  I couldn't sleep and just kept asking the baby to wake up and move please!!!

jr102217

@safire I'll be 18w4d when we do the anatomy scan. The earliest my OB office would schedule for it was 18w.

@holls214 OMG I'm glad I'm not the only one (though I'm sorry you also went through that pain!) Who knew sneezing was dangerous!?! LOL Reviewing my medical/maternity leave benefits has been eye-opening. I'm trying to take all 12 weeks of FMLA but some will be unpaid and we need my income so we're trying to be creative about it. Hope it works out the way you want it to!

@fuzzydust oooh ok! It's been random, not every night. I can't wait to feel the baby move and kick more!!

@helloworld9 LOL I think it's funny how they're really set on this decision. I assume it's one way of my husband staying involved. 

Great to see tips on prenatal massages!! I have a gift card that I haven't used yet so I'm looking forward to one. 

Has anyone taken a prenatal yoga class? If I can get out of work in time, I'm hoping to attend my first one. I'm also hoping it helps with strengthening and stretching my back. 

Curious about genetic screenings/testing: has anyone not gotten any done? Besides the NT scan, after getting those normal results and talking with the genetic counselor, we opted to not get more tests done. We're low risk for everything else. My concern was DS due to my age but the NT scan showed it was normal. Getting the other genetic tests would've been interesting but an expensive test just for our curiousity. But I keep questioning my decision about the DS test. =\ 

safire3

Thanks everyone. I’m glad I won’t have to wait even longer to see my little one. 

@mtpbadger I hope everything comes back perfect from your scan. I know the wait is excruciating. 
@Aera11 that pic is beautiful. It would be perfect for the start of a scrap book!
@jr102217 I know very little about these tests but my understanding from what other ladies on my bmb are getting done is that they do the NT and some other blood work (not the genetic testing that also tells you the sex) if you are low risk. If you are 35 or over the genetic testing is usually recommended and screens for trisomy 21,13 and 18. 

mtpbadger

@jr102217 I only had the NT done and the blood work that went along with it. I didn't realize it also had bloodwork but I just did what I was told. I'm glad I did get the bloodwork done with it b/c it revealed I have a lowish placental protein that will be watched closely during the third tri to make sure the placenta is growing properly and I'll have two extra US/growth scans.

We opted out of the NIPTs (I think that's what it's called) and other early screening since we didn't really want to know the sex that early and having more information wouldn't have really changed our minds about continuing with the pregnancy. One of the only reasons we did the NT scan was it was another excuse to see the little one and it was covered under insurance - all of the first trimester screening was. 

@hopeful_mom I think our bodies will automatically wake us up if we are sleeping in an "unsafe" position for us or the baby, which is probably why you woke up! It's impossible to stay in one position all night long so I think waking up on your back on occasion is bound to happen.

@holls214 I showed my DH that picture and he loved it! What a cool idea! 

@travelingcouple can't wait for your gender reveal tonight! Do you have any gut feelings of boy or girl?

AFM - I totally felt movement last night! What a weird and totally cool experience! I had been thinking I'd been feeling little flutters for a week or so but didn't pay enough attention. Last night when laying in bed watching TV with DH, totally felt it. And then I got like an almost hard, bulge on the right side of my stomach that we though might be the little one. DH gently pushed on the spot and I totally felt the baby react which was so cool! He even said he felt a little something and now swears he thinks it's a girl, LOL

cseley321

@Hopeful_mom I have a 2 and a half old girl right now, so we will have a sea of estrogen in this house

FuzzyDust

it's interesting to see that many of you do blood work almost every appointment. I think after being released from my RE (at around 7-8 weeks?), I only had one blood draw by OB clinic, at the very first appointment at 10 weeks. but I did opt out from all the extra screening, since we already have clean PGS test results, no family history of anything serious, and knew the gender.

I had my echo scan today (22 weeks). It's pretty much similar to anatomy scan, with some extra time spent on the heart. It took over an hour and a half - baby was very active, but wouldn't turn the way they wanted him to. they did end up taking all the measurements needed (after asking me to turn to a side multiple times, and sending me to the bathroom once), and then told me that my baby is "a great example what the normal baby should look like". All organs looked great, size is in 52%-ile (1lb 1oz). I left very happy, but sore from all the poking - it felt like they purposely pressed the most on the sports where the round ligament hurts.

helloworld9

@Aera11 Aww what a great picture and quote! I don't think I will have an u/s at 28w. I wish so. We will see, my next appointment is next week. I don't know if there is a third trimester u/s.

@Hopeful_mom I wouldn't worry too much about laying on your back accidentally. I still occasionally find it more comfortable to lay on my back and I think I'm well past the stage where I could be doing that. I have read somewhere online that unless you yourself find it difficult to breathe or something, it shouldn't be a problem for the baby?

@jr102217 I didn't do the NT or NIPT at my first trimester appointment with my OB since she thought I was "low risk". However, at my 16w appointment she said I can do the quad test or AFP, and I was like oh sure. That resulted in a slightly elevated risk of Down's like 1:225 vs. what she preferred to see 1:500 for my age. So she went ahead and ordered the NIPT for me at 17w, which came negative for Down's. Had I known allllll of that stress and worry at my 12w appointment I should've just went with the NIPT to start with. But hindsight is 20/20.

@mtpbadger Aww that's a sweet moment!

@FuzzyDust I'm glad the echo came back ok!

jr102217

Thanks @safire3 @mtpbadger @fuzzydust @helloworld9! You would think after all the tests and procedures during the IF process that we would've done the screenings but with the low risk, DH didn't think they were necessary... I may send a MyChart message to the genetic counselor just to double check.

@hopeful_mom LOL hope your foot is okay! 

I really wish I could sleep on my back comfortably again! 16w6d now but I wake up on my back in the middle of the night and know I have to turn to a side. I tried elevating my pillows the other night to try to sleep on my back but I didn't get it right. I ended up frustrated and gave in to cuddling with my U-shaped pillow.

Hopeful_mom

@jr102217 I have bad veins so I'm more aware if my legs hurt! Today isn't as bad so hoping by tomorrow they'll feel bac to normal.  Usually u don't think much if it but knowing u now have a baby inside u want to make sure nothing upsets the flow of anything.
i actually sleep with about 4 pillows to elevate me and help me sleep on my side.  I originally did it to help with my indigestion and. Ow that my hips hurt seems like this is my new norm for the long haul!

So I found another sharp container full of shots hiding with leftover ivf stuff.  Im
inspired to do a photo with them just not sure what yet.  It doesn't have the assortment of all the shots but we'll see what I can make work.

@FuzzyDust love ur echo update I was curious if we get to see the baby! I finally got my appt so I go next week...nervous and excited all at the same time as usual!!  We're only days apart so hoping my bab is a lb now too! Was 13oz at
my last appt.  Even though I keep gaining weight like wildfire.  I eat some vegetables but can't say that's eat.  Carbs are still more soothing 

TravelingCouple

Our gender reveal was so so special and so much fun!!! We're having a girl!!!!

mtpbadger

@travelingcouple congrats on a girl!! That’s so exciting!!!

Holls214

Yay congrats on the girl!