This one keeps us on edge.
We have had a some worries over the last few weeks, same I have spoken about in terms of Ben getting lower pains, cramps and tingling sensations. We have also been concerned a few times because of reduced movements.
Obviously it is hard at first to feel strong movements or get a pattern where the baby is still so small. However we are coming up to 28 weeks now, where Ben is feeling a lot more movement. I have even felt them a lot too. When we talk to the baby or rub his bump, they kick our hands. The baby likes to also kick when Ben has this phone resting on his stomach, like the first time he ever felt them. Along with kicking the cats when they come to cuddle up near Ben's bump. This is funny because the cats are so confused, laying there asleep one minuet then they jump up staring at Ben's belly not knowing what had happened.
In spite of this there are days where Ben does not feel the baby kicking or moving around as much. They have been on and off small movements unlike the big flips and kicks that the baby been doing more recently. So again it makes us worried. We know that it is normal to not have a pattern yet, nor to feel every movement due to Ben's placenta being anterior (at the front). Therefore cushioning the baby's movements
He does what is advice by drinking cold water, or eating something sugary which sometime does the trick. Then laying on his left side with no distractions just concentrating on feeling for movements. Last week there was no movement, then going into day two still nothing until, Ben craved MC Donald's. The moment he started eating the baby was jumping around in there so clearly needed MC Donald's too. Meanwhile, when he has not felt any movements after 2 days we get worried, thus going in for a check. Previously they have just checked the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler, then made sure Ben's stitch was all in place because of having pains or pressure below.
We also had an extra scan I mentioned at 26 weeks after it being 3 days. This time it got to the third day again and being nearly 28 weeks, they checked the heartbeat as well as putting Ben on a fetal monitor. This is two probes that are strapped on his belly, one picks up the baby's movements and the other picks up the heart rate. Ben was also given a button to press every time he felt a movement to measure how many he could feel compared to how much movement the machine pick up withing a 20 minute period. The machine bleeps every time it picks up movement. Not only are we able to hear the heartbeat, we could also hear the baby's movements. The monitor picked up 27 movements yet Ben only felt 8. This goes to show that the baby was fine, that they are wiggling around just not strong enough or in a position where Ben can feel.
Although it is very important to go get checked if you are concerned, if there is a reduction in movements but also do not panic, firstly try and resist eat and drink to see if you can feel up to 10 movements in 2 hours, this is the recommend however also just relax and know it is very common to sometime not feel every movement. Especially when having a anterior placenta.That being said also seek medical attention to be on the safe side, there rather you come in then sit and worry.
This is a photo of Ben on the monitor and a recording of our rainbows heartbeat/ movements.
Added on from yesterday, we end up back up the hospital again, this baby sure does like to panic us. So as I have already mentioned Ben's been getting cramps and pains over last few weeks and more so these last couple of days. So this morning he woke up feeling very sick and had cramps. Around 9 after breakfast these pains got worse, he had back ache and sharp pains too. Then he started to get tightness. This tightness was constantly there with his back ache, however the pain and serve tightness got worse and closer together. At first we assumed they were braxton hicks but as Ben was nearly in tears huddled over on the sofa with only 1-2 minutes in between each one, I booked a taxi to take him in. We rang them on the way and they said to go straight to delivery.
When we got there we were seen very quickly, and put on the monitor straight away. She also did Ben's observation and his heart rate was quiet high. This could be due to being hot and later it did go down but it is still higher then it should. We were on the monitor for an hour and a half. It was nice to listen to baby's heartbeat and hear movements for this length of time. While on the monitor Ben had a further 5 contractions where the midwife gave him gas and air. Then some pain relief later on. After around 2 hours being there the doctor checked Ben's cervix and the stitch, which was all in place and no sign of dilating or labour.
However we were sent up to the birthing centre to be kept in for 24 hour just as a precaution. We been up on this ward when been had the stitch in so a least it was familiar and the midwives knew us up there. Also it was a lot cooler as it was 32 degree outside. Ben had a few contractions in the early evening, but they were not as regular as this morning.
Later that evening after the midwives had handed over to the night staff, they checked on Ben before getting his medication and wee went to sleep. I then got woken up at half 10 by a nurse who did not know us to be told to leave. That partners where only allowed to stay til 10 now. But this point its past half 10 at night, its dark no way of me really getting home. So I asked to speak to the manager. I can get very stern and know my rights and get the care we need. I have had to be because of losing our son but also as a trans person you have to build up this resilience. The midwife in charge let me stay because I had no been informed at half 2 when we were admitted therefore was there mistake. But we had to move to aa private room due to be unfair to let me stay but make the only other person on the wards partner go home. The next morning there was a confusion were we had another manage trying to make out we had to move rooms due to being uncomfortable on a female maternity ward and that staff have not experienced a trans couple before. However it had nothing to do with the situation and just made her own assumptions. Telling us we needed to put a plan in place for this kinda of thing or when we give birth.
She had not read our note, nor did she know our situation. We did not know about our previously loss a year ago tomorrow. She did not even know we were high risk or got all facts before going in to speak with us. She did not explain much before disappearing, saying she would return. So we range one of our midwives and explained so. She said she deal with it and talk to this manager. That me, Ben, herself and Mel would all sit and talk about Ben's plan off care after the baby is born once we know about when his C-section is likely to be.
Anyhow Ben's was fine this morning, no more tightness or pains like yesterday, only the pulling of round ligament pains where our little one is growing. Rainbow was also moving and kicking a lot last night. We were cuddled on the hospital bed and she was kicking my back. Then moving again this morning. We listened to her heart beat on the Doppler which the midwives said was 156 beats per minute, very strong and regular. The doctor came in to do Ben glucose gestational diabetes test, did a swab and urine sample before we were discharge off home to rest. We already had a scan booked for the morning as well as our specialist clinic afterwards.
(Written 28 weeks)
Added on from yesterday, we end up back up the hospital again, this baby sure does like to panic us. So as I have already mentioned Ben's been getting cramps and pains over last few weeks and more so these last couple of days. So this morning he woke up feeling very sick and had cramps. Around 9 after breakfast these pains got worse, he had back ache and sharp pains too. Then he started to get tightness. This tightness was constantly there with his back ache, however the pain and serve tightness got worse and closer together. At first we assumed they were braxton hicks but as Ben was nearly in tears huddled over on the sofa with only 1-2 minutes in between each one, I booked a taxi to take him in. We rang them on the way and they said to go straight to delivery.
When we got there we were seen very quickly, and put on the monitor straight away. She also did Ben's observation and his heart rate was quiet high. This could be due to being hot and later it did go down but it is still higher then it should. We were on the monitor for an hour and a half. It was nice to listen to baby's heartbeat and hear movements for this length of time. While on the monitor Ben had a further 5 contractions where the midwife gave him gas and air. Then some pain relief later on. After around 2 hours being there the doctor checked Ben's cervix and the stitch, which was all in place and no sign of dilating or labour.
However we were sent up to the birthing centre to be kept in for 24 hour just as a precaution. We been up on this ward when been had the stitch in so a least it was familiar and the midwives knew us up there. Also it was a lot cooler as it was 32 degree outside. Ben had a few contractions in the early evening, but they were not as regular as this morning.
Later that evening after the midwives had handed over to the night staff, they checked on Ben before getting his medication and wee went to sleep. I then got woken up at half 10 by a nurse who did not know us to be told to leave. That partners where only allowed to stay til 10 now. But this point its past half 10 at night, its dark no way of me really getting home. So I asked to speak to the manager. I can get very stern and know my rights and get the care we need. I have had to be because of losing our son but also as a trans person you have to build up this resilience. The midwife in charge let me stay because I had no been informed at half 2 when we were admitted therefore was there mistake. But we had to move to aa private room due to be unfair to let me stay but make the only other person on the wards partner go home. The next morning there was a confusion were we had another manage trying to make out we had to move rooms due to being uncomfortable on a female maternity ward and that staff have not experienced a trans couple before. However it had nothing to do with the situation and just made her own assumptions. Telling us we needed to put a plan in place for this kinda of thing or when we give birth.
She had not read our note, nor did she know our situation. We did not know about our previously loss a year ago tomorrow. She did not even know we were high risk or got all facts before going in to speak with us. She did not explain much before disappearing, saying she would return. So we range one of our midwives and explained so. She said she deal with it and talk to this manager. That me, Ben, herself and Mel would all sit and talk about Ben's plan off care after the baby is born once we know about when his C-section is likely to be.
Anyhow Ben's was fine this morning, no more tightness or pains like yesterday, only the pulling of round ligament pains where our little one is growing. Rainbow was also moving and kicking a lot last night. We were cuddled on the hospital bed and she was kicking my back. Then moving again this morning. We listened to her heart beat on the Doppler which the midwives said was 156 beats per minute, very strong and regular. The doctor came in to do Ben glucose gestational diabetes test, did a swab and urine sample before we were discharge off home to rest. We already had a scan booked for the morning as well as our specialist clinic afterwards.
(Written 28 weeks)
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