Had my scan

I went for my scan and was so glad it was at 9am as I was really nervous but straight away we saw the baby and heartbeat which helped put me at ease.

Baby was rather curled up so I ended up being tilted with my head downwards and feet up as the sonographer tried to coax baby into moving. Apparantly it has lots of space to play in but it seems to like this little pocket it was in and wasn't going to budge. Baby did move their arms and legs a little whilst I was having the scan but no big movements.

They couldn't get all the measurements and checks they wanted done as baby was in an awkward position so I have to go back for another scan 2 weeks on Friday when I'll be 23 weeks. They need to check the Spine, Renal and Arms. I'm not worried too much about it as she said from what she could see everything looks fine but they need to check these things and baby wasn't co-operating so I have to go back which is fine by me as I get a chance to see bubba again.

There was no chance of being able to tell what sex the baby was because of the position it was in but as long as they are healthy that is the most important thing.

Hopefully baby will be in a better position at the next scan so they can get all the measurements.

They have a big tummy though as on the stomach chart in my notes she's put a cross above the highest line on my chart for my gestation. I think its a centile chart and if so baby is above the highest centile so looks like this one's going to be a big baby too.

I got 3 scan pictures anyway which I shall add now.

Half Way There!!

I have my 20 week scan on Wednesday and am really looking forward to it. I really hope everything is ok with the baby. I have been feeling what I think are proper kicks this week as opposed to rolls but they are still not as strong as I remember they were already when I was pregnant with Ellie.

I am trying not to let it worry me but it is a little and I will be very relieved to have my scan on Wednesday and know that our baby is ok. I also hope to find out if we have blue or pink bundle but more importantly I want to make sure our baby is ok. Only 4 more sleeps to go!!

I finally got the results of my triple test back and my downs result was 1 in 52,000 so that's excellant (I think at my age the risk is 1 in 800) and I'm also classed as low risk for Spina Bifida too. The result though had it been high would have made no difference to this pregnancy as this baby is so loved and wanted already but at least we could prepare ourselves if that was the case.

20 Weeks Pregnant

You are now 20 weeks pregnant (or in your 21st week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby measures about 16.5cm from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight. A whitish coat of a slick, fatty substance called vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby, protecting her skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. It also eases delivery. Your baby's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, her body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.

You may want to look into an antenatal class if you haven't done so already. Whether you are a first-time mum or want a refresher course, you will benefit from a structured class. No matter what the philosophy behind it, an antenatal class can help prepare you for the rigours of labour and birth. You should plan to have completed the classes by 37 weeks, when you'll be considered full-term and labour could start at any time.

Be extra vigilant about getting enough iron. Your baby needs it to make red blood cells, among other things. In fact, it's almost impossible for you to get too much from food alone without overeating. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals. See our eating well guide to round up everything you need to know.

Out of breath? Most women start to feel a bit like Thomas the Tank Engine, huffing and puffing up a short flight of stairs. Some breathlessness is normal and may get a little worse as your expanding uterus pushes up against your lungs, but tell your midwife if it gets out of hand. Also, make sure you're getting enough iron. Your baby needs it to make red blood cells, among other things. It's almost impossible to get too much from food alone, as long as you're not overeating. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals. Don't take supplements though, unless they're prescribed by your doctor.

Although pregnancy might sometimes feel like a one-woman show, it doesn't have to be that way. If your partner is going to be your labour partner, he'll want to know how he can help and how he can communicate your wishes to the professionals.