#6 Baby movements and Heartburn
They say you should start to feel your baby move from around 16 to 25 weeks. They also say that if it’s your first pregnancy, you might not feel movements until around 25 weeks. I can't remember the first time I felt our baby move, I found it hard to establish what was movement and what was just my stomach digesting. I think it was around 21 weeks, just after my second scan.
What did it feel like? Baby movements always seem to be described as a flutter. To me, when I could recognise them, the movements were more like muscle twitches similar to when you're tired and your eye starts twitching.
As the baby grows the movements become very obvious. By around 25 weeks Lee had not yet felt the baby move. It seemed that every time he put his hand on my stomach the baby would stop. I shouldn't laugh but it was pretty amusing.
Once I had gotten halfway through my second trimester I could see my stomach move when the baby moved. I can remember the first time Lee properly felt a kick. We had just finished dinner, and as always, once I'd finished eating, the baby started to have a party in my belly. She was kicking in the same place over and over so I grabbed Lee's hand and placed it right we're the movement was... Nothing! We had to laugh and just as Lee was about to move his hand away, BAMB! Lee let out a little yelp, in fact I think he swore and jumped back a couple of feet. He couldn't believe how strong the kick was. And let me tell you, they only get stronger.
At this point it's worth mentioning what to do if you haven't noticed your baby move in a while. I had this a couple of times but it was usually on days were I had been rushing around and hadn't paid any attention to movements.
If your worried try the following:
Eat something. Your baby might get a surge of energy.
Have a jiggle, wiggle and move around. This might get the baby to move position however it's also worth noting that walking around is like gently rocking a baby which might make them fall asleep.
Lay down, ideally on your left side. When I try to nap or relax this is usually when I notice our baby move. Especially when I'm trying to fall asleep at night!
Make some noise, sing or play music. Your little one can hear you and what's going on outside the womb. Just make sure the music isn't too loud.
Drink something cold. No idea why this is recommended but it does seem to get my little one moving.
All this being said, if you don't feel movements or if there is even a reduction in movement call your midwife or triage! Don't wait, not even until the next day! Reduced movement can be a sign that something is wrong.
As the baby grew, and I expanded, the movements changed from twitchy kicks and jabs to a swishing pressure. My baby is starting to run out of room now so can't party and dance like she use to. She is also now big enough for me to see where and how she is positioned. My stomach will go from perfectly round to a weird right handed lump. Even Lee can see and feel it now. At the moment her favourite game is to have a good old stretch, pushing her head into my bladder and bum/legs up into my stomach. It feels… Interesting?!
Movements can be lovely, exciting and comforting but they can also be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. My little one likes to kick and punch the same places all day. By the evening it can be very tender and uncomfortable.
Moving onto heartburn. Not something I have ever suffered with before pregnancy. I honestly didn't understand why people moaned about it. I totally understand now!
My heartburn was very subtle to start with. Just an acidy twinge down my throat however after Lee made some very spicy chicken wings one evening everything changed. I was almost immediately in pain. The next day, when I woke I was in the same pain. I tried to eat breakfast but seconds after having a mouthful I was in agony. Really sharp stabbing pains in my stomach.
I tried everything, Renie, Gaviscon and herbal teas but nothing helped. Within a few days I was suddenly struggling to eat anything and therefore totally exhausted. By day four I called the non-emergency line (111) and spoke with a operator who then put me through to a nurse. We chatted for a while and she said to continue with the gaviscon, to literally chug it down all day however with if there was no improvement or if things get worse to call my doctor. She put a note on my NHS file that if I called my GP I should be seen the same day. I'm so glad she did this.
The next day I was a shell of a human. Every bite of food or swig of drink was total agony. I called my GP and got an appointment. After the usual pee sample and prod of the belly I was put on some subscription tablets, Omperzole. Within less than 24 hours I was a new woman. I can still remember my first meal after starting the medication, smashed avocado on a toasted bagel. Heaven! I was a human again.
It's so important to utilise the resources available to you and not to worry about being a burden. We are so lucky to have the NHS in the UK, so use them. I wish I had spoken and seen my doctor sooner. Don't suffer in silence.
