Second ultrasound

My second ultrasound scan or anomaly scan was scheduled on 21st week of pregnancy. Unlike the first trimester scan full bladder was not required for this one, as the baby is big enough to be seen very clearly.

As usual we reached on time at the hospital for this very important scan. Yes, this scan is really very important as it takes closer look at your baby and your uterus; they check how your baby is growing and make sure baby's internal organs are developing well, estimate the amount of amniotic fluid and also check the position of the placenta.

It was really fun to watch baby this time as we could see all the body parts very clearly and also it was moving quite a lot. The sonographer lady showed us the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, spine and also baby's lil arms, legs, hands and feet. Our baby gave her a tough time showing the face, as it was covered with one hand. She just pointed out that jai was sitting in exactly same position at that very moment (like father like son/ daughter!!). I moved little on my sideways and the baby moved and we could see its face with adorable eyes. It was really mesmerizing.

Then my questions started about not feeling any baby movements yet, then she explained that its due to the position of the placenta, while the baby is kicking the placenta acts like a cushion due to its position in uterus and I should start feeling them anytime soon.

She also mentioned that my placenta is lying little low/ close to cervix and I will need another scan from a consultant/ doctor. She also mentioned in my case the placenta is most likely to move upwards and we shouldn’t worry at all and then she booked me for another scan next week.

We knew we shouldn’t worry or get tensed at this moment but its really hard not to worry when things aren’t normal. We reached home and I searched for every possible information about low lying placenta and keenly waited for the next scan.

After seeing the consultant he mentioned that my placenta is 1cm away from cervix and for a normal delivery it should be at least 2cm away. Placenta previa appearing during second trimester of pregnancy generally tend to go away by the time woman reaches her full term. And according to him my placenta is likely to move upwards as the uterus expands. So bottom line is there’s nothing much we can do at this moment other than praying for the placenta to move up by 28th week of pregnancy.

After waiting for weeks, today I had my 29 weeks scan with the Doctor. We both were so happy and relieved to get this good news that, my placenta moved 2.5cm already. Yeiii!! And we also got another glimpse of our little princess. Did I say princess!!! Its just a inner thought today during the scan we both felt it’s a baby girl :) We could also see her hairs waving in the amniotic fluid.

At present the baby is in a breech position (which is a bottom-down position). Usually it is a temporary position in third trimester. According to the doctor baby should settle in head down position by the end of 36th week.

Second trimester

Second trimester

My second trimester started pretty well. In my 11^thweek of pregnancy one day I woke up and all my pregnancy symptoms were gone, everything was back to normal again.

Somewhere in my heart I started getting a heavenly feeling that, On a breezy spring day, I am sitting on a swing of a lovely garden, wearing a beautiful white dress, birds are chirping, lovely flowers everywhere. I am gently caressing my belly thinking about all the upcoming moments of joy and love. Wishing this moment never ends. In this time I realized yes, pregnancy is amazing.

14^th- 27^th Week

Baby is very, very busy in the second trimester. Baby is sprouting hair, ears and eyes are moving into their correct positions, its starting to suck and swallow, can yawn and hiccup, fingerprints are appearing, developing senses start to smell, taste, see, and hear. All this Sounds so blissful, we got another glimpse of our angel in the second ultrasound scan.

I started feeling more energetic in this trimester, decreasing need to urinate frequently, breasts aren't quite as tender as they were last trimester, nausea was gone like it never existed, appetite was increasing.

Nasal congestion: started feeling nasal congestion in the first few weeks of second trimester. This also happens due to change in hormones,  high levels of estrogen and progesterone increase blood flow to mucous membranes in the body (including the nose), which causes them to swell and soften.

I started using a neti pot which helps in washing the nasal cavity to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses.

Weight Gain: My weight gain is not drastic but I am seeing slight increase as weeks are passing. I could  see weight gain on my belly, boobs, bums and face. 
As per my midwife my fundal height is perfectly equal to the number of weeks I am pregnant. (Fundal height is the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus, and this height in centimeters should roughly be equal to the number of weeks of pregnancy)

Lower Back pain: As the expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out it weakens the abdominal muscles putting strain on your back. In my case it felt like its pressing on a nerve. As I usually sleep on my back, the pain becomes unbearable causing me to switch positions and move to my sides in sleep. Getting comfortable in bed isn't easy anymore. Experts recommend that pregnant women should not sleep on their backs during the second and third trimesters because of the weight of the growing uterus and baby pressing the vena cava, the main vein that carries blood back to the heart from lower body region.

Best bedtime bet is to lie on your side, this was making me forget this pain. Regular exercising and walking also helps in reducing it.

Tingling hands: Pregnancy swelling puts pressure on a key nerve in the wrists and causes the aching and tingling symptoms. I am feeling this more in the night or early morning, it's because the fluids that accumulate in the lower part of your body during the day are redistributed elsewhere, including hands, when you lie down.

Trying not to sleep on my hands, but its really difficult as I cannot sleep on my back due to lower back pain. It's mild and should be temporary; as they say it disappears soon after baby is born.

Snoring: My husband says I do but I have my doubts. Snoring is quite common during pregnancy since increased blood flow to mucous membranes in nose can cause congestion.

Occasional Heartburn or indigestion: started feeling this sometimes only after 22 weeks, I realized if I have oily and Spicy heavy meals or chocolates it gives me a feeling of heartburn. This happens because your hormones relax the valve at the top of your stomach. This causes a small amount of stomach acid, to surge upwards into your throat (most disgusting feeling)
Eating small meal frequently is the answer. Also Avoid tea, coffee, spicy, oily, sugary stuff and don’t drink a lot of liquid with food. Have your food at least 2-3 hours before sleeping as gravity may trigger this. Sleeping with your head up with 2 pillows also helped me.

Tums provide quick relief from heartburn, these are calcium carbonate-based antacid tablets and are safe to take during pregnancy as long as you don’t take them along with your Iron supplements. On the packet it says pregnant women can take 7 tablets in a day, but only 1-2 tablets make me feel better (a must have for pregnancy)

Linea Nigra: A light vertical line started to appear on my belly after 22 weeks. It is caused by pigmentation, again due to hormone changes.
But the good news is this line should fade away in few weeks after giving birth.

Occasional headaches: I guess this is not even worth mentioning but yes I felt headaches a couple of times, this also happens due to hormonal changes. But it just goes away in few hours just avoiding any medications.

Here are other second trimester symptoms which I luckily didn’t have to go through like, Varicose veins, Leg cramps, Bleeding gums, Stretch marks, swelling of ankles and feet, Constipation, Protruding navel, migraines, lower abdominal achiness, Restless legs syndrome, vision changes- Thank god for that!

How far along: 27 weeks

Weight gain: total 7 KGS (including 1^sttrimester)

BabyGender: Unknown

Maternity clothes: Bought a couple of dresses from mother care but still managing with my regular clothes.

Stretch marks: No

Belly button in or out: Partially out

Sleep: Restless sleep.

Best moment: Feeling baby movements for the first time and every time :)

Movements: can feel my angel all the time kicking, rolling and fluttering 

Missing anything: White Wine

Cravings: Nothing yet.