symptoms, questions, concerns - Week of 9/18

Henderson2015 · September 2017

Hi Mamas!

I am a STM here and experiencing this pregnancy with an anterior placenta (my first pregnancy was posterior). I am 27 weeks and know when this little moves so I know the placenta isn't muting a lot of the feelings anymore. My son was a very very active baby - always had hiccups, was always punching, kicking, stretching. This pregnancy is so much different. I feel as though this baby doesn't move as much. When she does move it's mainly stretching and this quivering/twitching feeling. Everything looked good at the 20 week ultrasound but I have to admit the lack of consistent movement really makes me nervous. I barely felt her over the weekend and I had to pull out my Doppler to make sure there was still a heart beat. Can movements really be this muted with an anterior placenta? is it really possible to have this calm of a baby? I have my first 3rd trimester visit on Thursday so I will be talking to the Dr I'm just just looking for some peer support/feedback.

Very much appreciated!

cait5413 · September 2017

@Henderson2015 I've never had an anterior placenta (so far as I know; it wasn't mentioned with either pregnancy). This baby seems to have fewer hiccups than DD, but does move a good bit. I just want to mention that kick counts aren't really encouraged until 27 or 28 weeks, so it's only right about now or even a week from now that you should anticipate consistent movement. Also, I believe that using the doppler is also discouraged at this point because a heartbeat doesn't necessarily mean nothing is wrong. I don't want to freak you out, but don't rely on that too much. During the ultrasound, could you feel when baby was moving on screen? Are there places you feel the baby and places you don't (i.e., is it possible you mostly feel the kicks above or below your placenta, so if baby isn't kicking there, you don't feel it?)?

tmk0325 · September 2017

@henderson2015 I had an anterior placenta with my twins and honestly, I only felt them move on the way outer sides of my stomach. It can be that blocked and I had two in there! This go around I have a lateral/posterior placenta and I feel this baby so much more! I just wanted to let you know that what you feel is normal. For me it always felt more like flutters than actual kicks.

ridedatide · September 2017

@henderson1026 I also have an anterior placenta. I've noticed spots where I never feel my little one. Usually dead center of my stomach and toward my right side. I usually always feel little one low like bladder area and on the right side. I also get the twitches and was going to ask about them tomorrow. They are so weird feeling and I can see my stomach moving up and down rapidly. I also can see my stomach bounce when little one kicks ( I'm assuming). The twitching comes and goes some days worse then others.

Marley629 · September 2017

@henderson1026 I don't have much to add than the ladies above. They all have great advice. I just wanted to reiterate that the Doppler shouldn't be relied on at this point. i would bring up decreased movement to the OB though, if only for peace of mind. I believe you are right around the mark where movement should be consistent but with an anterior placenta, the doctor may have different advice.

elcd458 · September 2017

@henderson1026 I've been told I have anterior placenta as well, but I've been feeling LO for several weeks now and some of the movement has been quite strong. That being said, there are days where she is WAY more active than others. Right around the time I start to panic that she hasn't moved that day, she gets wiggly again. I mentioned in an earlier symptoms thread that I am having trouble with my appetite, so I have chalked some of the lack of movement up to me not eating or drinking whatever magic thing that might get LO jazzed up or being somewhat dehydrated, but I haven't discussed it with my OB so that's total speculation on my part.

Also, I agree with @ridedatide and @tmk0325 that I tend to feel her in the "perimeter" of my belly-- very very low behind my pubic bone, and off to the left of my navel. I honestly can't say that I've felt anything at all on the right side so maybe that's where the bulk of the placenta is for me?

Henderson2015 · September 2017

Thank you Ladies! I will be talking to my OB on Thursday. Of course she's been more active already today. I feel thumping in my pelvis area and wiggling around the top of my belly. The quivering thing still gets me so I want to talk to the Dr about that. What I don't understand is why you guys say the doppler isn't reliable? That's the ONLY tool they use at my Drs office for these repeat visits so it doesn't make sense why listening for a HB on my one at home isn't as reliable.

katiegeminimoon · September 2017

@Henderson2015 From what I have read (thanks Dr. Google) the doppler isn't reliable to check on baby's well being at home. While he/she may have a heartbeat doesn't = no problem with the baby. If you are concerned about something it is better to be checked out instead of relying on your home doppler, because it may be too late by the time you do get checked out.

Marley629 · September 2017

@Henderson2015 I know of a few cases where the mom felt decreased movement but used Doppler and found heartbeat and thought all was good but TW - all was far from good.

Also, at the doctors they will start to ask you about movement each time now in addition to the Doppler. With DS1, I felt decreased movement and he had a strong heartbeat of 150. They still sent me to the hospital for a NST and monitoring. His heart rate stayed steady at 150 for awhile and that's what concerned the nurses - if he was active, his heart rate would be going up and down and his wasn't. All ended up ok after talk of inducing early at that visit because after about an hour and moving f m
left to right side, he became more active.

Henderson2015 · September 2017

and a total rookie question - never did this with my first pregnancy. How do I get my ticker to not show as the code?
https://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers][img]https://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1da31d[/img]

wabash15 · September 2017

@henderson2015 I had a posterior placenta with my twins and have an anterior with this singleton. It is CRAZY how much less i feel. I know there is only one but the anterior placenta makes a HUGE difference. I would say at 26 weeks I am only now starting to feel daily movement and most of it is when this kid kicks my cervix or bladder. I think I've only felt movement out of my pelvis a hand full of times. Most of what I feel is shifting with some kicking. Even now that I do feel movement daily I'm lucky if I feel this baby 10 times in 24hours let alone 10 times in 2 hours. I'm not sure I will ever pass an official kick count test. So I will go off of what seems to me this kiddo's normal. (On all of my ultrasounds this kid is active). Its still good to talk with your doc but I have been really surprised what a difference an anterior placenta makes. DH has yet to feel this kid move even when I know the baby has kicked his hand.

elcd458 · September 2017

So I work from home and purposely put my printer on a different floor than my workstation so I would have some forced exercise/movement during the day. Today the printer won't work at all after a security update and I am so exhausted from walking up and down the stairs 20
times troubleshooting that I am currently
lying on the floor gasping for air like a fish out of water.

Also, preggo insomnia is back.

katiegeminimoon · September 2017

@Henderson2015 I think you just need to click the </> button before you paste the code? Maybe? Or it might be you need to past the code into the image url section when you click the picture button (the one of the mountain).

kln62689 · September 2017

@elcd458 I also wfh so I understand your effort to get the steps in. So sorry to hear your printer is giving you trouble! I walked to my mailbox yesterday (~1 mile round trip) and thought I was going to have to sit down on the way back.

Is anyone else still puking? I have been mostly lurking for a while now bc I'm struggling with depression over the HG. I read some people relapse in the third trimester, but since mine never really let up I'm afraid it's going to get worse. I'm down about 50 pounds and now I'm concerned it's going to decline more in the coming weeks. Doc says baby is healthy, and frankly I can stand to lose it, it just kind of makes me feel like I'm already failing this kid bc I can't keep myself out of the hospital.

kyrwyn · September 2017

@kln62689 I have puked more in 3rd tri (only 2.5 weeks in) than I did in 1st tri at this point. I've developed some serious texture aversions (amusingly, the same ones I had as a kid) and any of them trigger gagging/puking. Probably 3 days a week I can keep all of breakfast down, which is crazy frustrating on this managed GD diet. I have so so so much sympathy for you HG moms.

stella_700 · September 2017

Is anyone beginning to deal with discomfort/low levels of pain when moving from sitting to standing/walking. When I do this I feel like I'm a little old lady, but I stand still for maybe thirty seconds before walking anywhere. Its like things need to shift/readjust in my pelvic area before I take those first couple of steps. I've only gained about 16 pounds so far so I know it isn't the weight gain causing it.

@elcd458 @kln62689 I stopped to sit while doing our hospital tour on Sunday. gasping like a fish out of water is exactly what happens to me. And with stairs in there also.

@kln62689 I've not puked for some time as I didn't suffer from HG. I do still dry heave, especially when overheating or very tired. Just remember that its not your fault and that this does have an end date. We can only do the best that we can and after that rely on our doctors and family/friends to help us out.

Marley629 · September 2017

@kln62689 I am still puking. At least once a day, sometimes more. I had 1 solid week this whole pregnancy were I stopped vomiting and I thought I was in the clear from HG...and then it laughed in my face. I have my GLucose test tomorrow and I'm nervous I'm not going to make it the whole hour because I tend to puke more when I have carbs or sugary foods. Hang in there. You aren't failing your baby. You are strong and he/she is lucky to have you

darkfyre · September 2017

@wabash15 this has been exactly my experience as well. Babe was Very active at both anatomy scans and I didn't feel a bit. My midwife is not concerned and neither am I.

MJDsquared · September 2017

Welp, I guess I need to get some Summer's Eve wash (or something similar) because my vag is super sensitive lately. I usually just use soap and everything's just fine...but not anymore, apparently.

TigerCakes · September 2017

@Henderson2015 just to reiterate what others said please, please, please do NOT rely on the doppler to assume everything is fine. **TW** I went to the doctor for decreased movement with my DS. His ultrasound was perfect, but it took 15 mins on the NST for his heart rate to drop. I ended up being sent to the hospital for increased monitoring and they did an emergency c section 2 hours later because his heart rate kept dropping and they didn't know why. It turns out he had a fetal maternal hemorrhage and had lost 75% of his blood. The head of the NICU said my DS only had a few hours left before he would have been still born. If I had relied on a doppler he would most likely not be here. ** End TW**

failuretofly · September 2017

@MJDsquared I can't use anything at all on my crotch, just water and a good ol rub down. Im pretty sure you're actually not supposed to wash your vag with soap anyway?

balletnerd · September 2017

@MJDsquared I can't use any soap or anything. Not just during pregnancy. I am w
extremely sensitive - no bubble baths for me, I will get a yeast infection. So I suggest just water if you are sensitive right now- or talk to your dr about a safe product.

whiska · September 2017

@Marley629 Oh goodness, I feel bad I had no idea you were still dealing with daily pukes

I'm so so sorry it's still happening! Fx it disappears any day now (you're like, You're telling me!!!))

@stella_700 Yeah, definitely some pinching/pulling pain when I change positions. This is when I roll over in bed or try to get up from bed too. I think it's worse when LO or the uterus is going through a growth spurt, and for me can mostly be chalked up to ligament pain.

@MJDsquared I only ever use water and a soft cloth on the vulva. Any kind of soap - even Summer's Eve - can be really irritating to that delicate skin, so I would try just water and some very light friction for cleaning, then talk to your doctor if it's still there.

@TigerCakes Thanks so much for sharing your story again. It is so important to not rely on the doppler for any reassurance this late; I always think of your experience and am so grateful you're both okay.

TigerCakes · September 2017

@whiska Thank you! I'm know I'm an awful bumper because I'm always on mobile which makes it harder for me to participate. I would feel horrible if something happened to someone else's baby though which is why I felt compelled to share my story again.

MJDsquared · September 2017

I know you're not generally supposed to use soap, but I always have and never had a problem. I can't imagine only water...but I guess I can try it.

wabash15 · September 2017

@balletnerd +1 to the no bubble bath group... every time I had one as a kid I got a UTI. No perfumes or dyes allowed. Hell I even have to be careful with shampoo.... I tried herbal essences once and had hives where ever it touched.

kln62689 · September 2017

@kyrwyn I am sorry you are having to deal with puking on top of GD. My GD test is next week and I am super nervous about being able to keep the stuff down to even be able to get through it. I honestly have no idea how I will handle if I do have GD. I looked at a meal plan for it and was like 'protein? how am I supposed to keep that down?!'.

@stella_700 thank you for the encouraging words. Sometimes it is so helpful just to hear it's not my fault.

@Marley629 as much as I am so bummed to hear you are still suffering too, I am also selfishly thankful I am not totally alone. I have been wondering about you for a while. I think you are tougher than me at dealing with it! Just a few more months and at least hopefully our GI tracts will be sorted.

breezybee · September 2017

Omfg I can't even sit upright without getting sore on my sides. These babies are really doing a number on me. I basically have to lie down in order to be comfortable now. At least my boss doesn't care that I'm lounging around on her couch all the time (I'm a nanny lol).

dkizz82 · September 2017

Damn hemorrhoids. And in case any of you didn't know, you can get hemorrhoids from a c section. I never ha them and when I got my feeling back from the spinal I was like "what the heck is going on down there?" Took me a few days to realize it wasn't dried blood but actually hemorrhoids

TigerCakes · September 2017

I have an anterior placenta that is very close to my previous csection scar. I had an ultrasound to check on it today and the tech and doctor both seemed concerned with the location. I'm starting weekly ultrasounds now to check on the placenta, but now I'm very worried. Anyone have experience with this?

lavashiner · September 2017

My breasts are soooooooo itchy at night. I've been moisturizing like a crazy person with mild lotions or baby oil, but when I let those suckers out at night it is like poison oak level itchiness.

stella_700 · September 2017

@lavashiner I'm not itchy however if my nipple ends up pressed to a seam on the sheet, or against a fold on the pillowcase, I end up waking up with burning nipples of doom. Imagine putting your whole arm to sleep and terrible pins and needles burning as feeling comes back, yeah right on the nipple and it lasts until the over-stimulation calms down. Brought tears to the eyes the other night.

I wonder if a lotion with oatmeal in it would help with itchiness, at least my issue seems temporary. Poison oak level of boob itchiness sounds terrible. I'm using the burt's bees belly balm on the tummy and so far the itchiness has been under control.

lavashiner · September 2017

@stella_700 I think I have some Aveeno at home, so I'll try it tonight!
Burning nipples of doom sounds awful, too.

dkizz82 · September 2017

@lavashiner ugggggg me too. With DD it was my whole body and it was absolutely torture. With this one so far it seems to just be my boobs. I was scratching one night and looked down and I was bleeding.

@stella_700 yep. The burning nipples have almost subsided but they were so bad in my 2nd trimester I could cry.

lavashiner · September 2017

@dkizz82 I haven't bled, but I have scratch marks! My husband has psoriasis and I feel like I kind of understand what he goes through on a daily basis now.

kaylawing · September 2017

This probably belongs on a “stupid question Sunday” thread, but we haven’t had one in awhile. Is anyone else still accidentally sleeping on their back? I try to start in my side, but I wake up on my back several times a night. I tried putting a pillow behind me to keep me on my side, but I switch sides a lot during the night so that ended up just being in my way. Any tips to keep me on my side? Is this something worth worrying about?

failuretofly · September 2017

TigerCakes said:

I have an anterior placenta that is very close to my previous csection scar. I had an ultrasound to check on it today and the tech and doctor both seemed concerned with the location. I'm starting weekly ultrasounds now to check on the placenta, but now I'm very worried. Anyone have experience with this?

I think if your placenta implants over a previous scar there's concern of placenta eccreta (sp?). I don't have experience with this myself but I hope that's not the case for You!

MJDsquared · September 2017

@kaylawing From what I've heard, your body will wake you up if you need to switch back to your side, so I don't personally worry about it. I honestly can't remember what position I wake up in though.

skc040512 · September 2017

@kaylawing I keep having the same issue. I notice that when I fall asleep on my back, I usually wake up more in the night with shortness of breath. I mentioned this to my Dr and he said it was normal - your body wakes you up because you're not getting proper blood flow and the baby is pressing against your lungs. If you're really concerned, there are positioning pillows you can buy

TigerCakes · September 2017

@failuretofly Yea that's what they are worried about I think. They said that if that happens they will have to be prepared for a worst case scenario of having to do a hysterectomy. They wouldn't really say what the chances are that it would move either, just that they wanted to watch it closely.

kaylawing · September 2017

@Skcobb and @MJDsquared thanks. That’s what I figured, but it’s been bugging me. I’m guessing I’m waking up on my back because my body is waking me just as you guys said it would.

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