Week 21 – Yay for body pillows
June 4, 2006
In my last post I whined a bit about how uncomfortable I had been feeling. I had been trying to alleviate some of my discomfort with some pillows that I already owned. I finally broke down and purchased a body pillow, which surprisingly helped quite a bit. My round ligaments are still giving me a bit of trouble, but not usually until I get home at night, and I find that on days where I’ve been more active I’m obviously more sore/tired. Zach continues to be quite useful in the helping me out department when we’re at home. He never complains about getting me drinks or food or helping with the laundry (as long as helping with the laundry means switching it from the washer to the dryer). My allergies have been acting up a bit recently, but I’m avoiding taking any medicine for now, in the hopes that I’ll recover from the worst of it soon.
The baby continues to kick, and I’m feeling the movement pretty regularly. The only problem is that the kicking is not in any predictable pattern, so I haven’t been able to get anyone else (specifically Zach) to feel any movement. Every time I put his hand on my stomach in a place I think the baby might kick, the kid stops moving for a while, and Zach eventually gives up. I’m not sure how to solve this problem – everyone asks if Zach has been able to feel anything yet, but I’m not sure how to get Zach to feel anything, since there is no way to predict where to feel movement… If anyone has any suggestions, I’m happy to try them!
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I am almost 21 weeks along w/ my 3rd child and have felt no movement. Should I be very worried?? I have been to the doctor a few times and the heartbeat has always been very strong. I don’t go back until January 4th, which is the day we are supposed to get an ultrasound to see if it is a boy or girl. Should I call my doctor to see what he thinks?? I have read a few people saying they haven’t felt much up to 21 weeks but everyone says that when you have already been pregnant, you should start to feel the kicking sooner. What do you guys think???
Hi Summer – congrats on your 3rd! That is a tough one – they do say that it can sometimes take up to the 22nd week or more to feel any movement, but they also say that often mothers feel movement sooner with their second/third, etc. child. I don’t know your doctor’s office, but the nurses in mine were all very friendly. If I were you, I would call and speak with one of the nurses. Hopefully they can alleviate your concerns, and if not, then maybe they can get you in sooner than the 4th to make sure everything is ok. At any rate, I would imagine that some peace of mind would help you enjoy the holidays more! Good luck, and please let us know what happens!
Thanks for your advice. I called the doctor this morning and they wanted me to come right away. It worried me and of course I cried the whole way thinking the worst but my husband met me over there and the heartbeat was as strong as ever. The doctor said it is not unheard of to be 21 weeks along and not feel the baby, but it isn’t the norm so they wanted to check just to make sure. I’m glad they did so that I don’t have to worry over Christmas and I can just look forward to January 4th and seeing what the baby is.
Thanks a lot!!!
Hi Summer – thank you for letting us know how things turned out – I’m so glad everything is ok! I’m also glad that your doctor was so responsive and able to alleviate your concerns so now you can relax and enjoy the holidays. I’m sure that baby will start kicking hard enough for you to feel any day now. Good luck, and let us know if it’s a boy or girl (assuming the baby cooperates)
try drinking cold apple juice and laying on your left side. If that doesnt work try laying on your back. You will probably be more likely to feel something when resting and after you drink something cold and sweet.
Well sara,
Im finally getting somewhere. Well it seems.. lol.. Im now 23 weeks prego and so glad Im half way there. She moves allll the time.. More towards the end of the day or dinner time.. She loves dinner. I hope shes not a night baby.. lol
My daughter is 21 weeks pregnant, and has felt consistent kicking. Tonight, though, she says her stomach feels softer and the baby has not kicked at all tonight. Should she be worried?
Hi Leah – congrats on your upcoming grandchild! I would suggest having your daughter sit or lay down and see how long it takes her to feel the baby kick 10 times, 20 times, 30 times. Often, when I thought about how I hadn’t felt the baby kick in a while, it was because I was busy doing other things and not paying attention to those light movements we feel when babies are in those first few weeks of kicking. If your daughter is still worried, she should call her doctor – if they can’t alleviate her concerns over the phone, they might have her come in for an appointment, and hearing that heartbeat in the doctor’s office is always a great reassurance. Good luck – and please let us know how everything turns out!
hi leah,
i’m in my 21st week of pregnancy as well. its my first so i have no idea what’s happening, but it makes me feel better when i know other women are having similar experiences. i was feeling my baby move a ton last week and had a sonogram that showed she was strong and healthy. this week i have felt very little movement, if any at all. My midwife explained that this is common during the 21st week because the baby is still able to move from a horizontal to vertical position. aparently movements are felt much more strongly when the baby is one direction, and not the other. i can’t remember which way. anyway, i felt much better after talking to the midwife, so your daughter might want to give her OB or midwife’s office a call just for peace of mind. good luck! this is so exciting isn’t it!
Very reassuring to read that others have the same questions and concerns about being pregnant. I am currently 21 weeks pregnant and have noticed that my baby boy has a very strange pattern of movement. Somedays I feel him moving like crazy and other days he seems to not move at all. I tried the lying down things, but no go. He moves when he wants to and when he wants to. Sometimes it happens very unexpectedly, like when I am in the middle of teaching. Other times, when I am lying down and want him to move, nothing. I was told not to worry about it until after week 24. Still, being first time pregnant and a worrier, I get concerned.
I have had 2 ultrasounds and he was moving around in them like a gymnist and the heartbeat sounded wonderful. All go so far. Still can’t help but feel I will never be great until he is finally here!
I am 24 weeks pregnant and feel the baby daily but not very often. Usually in the morning and at night and usually only a couple of times…is this normal?
I am 22 weeks today and I am not really feeling the baby move I think I am but not sure this is are first baby, and I can’t sleep at night I fall alseep quick but its like clock work I am wide awake around 2am and can’t fall back alseep what is causing that….. We are so excited for this baby but I get nervous at times….
Hi Jennifer – congrats on the pregnancy! Feeling those first movements is always a bit confusing – was that the baby moving, or just a gurgle in my stomach, etc. Don’t worry too much though – as the baby gets stronger you’ll know when he or she is moving. The sleeplessness can usually be attributed to hormones. Some women joke that it’s your body’s way of preparing you for all the sleepless nights ahead. I think that would be entirely unfair of nature to do – you need all the rest you can get before that little one arrives! Most sleep experts will tell you that if you can’t fall asleep, you should get up, read or do something else until you feel sleepy again. If you’re having trouble sleeping because you wake up and have to pee or feel hungry, try drinking more during the day, and stop consuming liquids after dinner. Should help with the middle of the night bathroom trips. If you find yourself hungry in the middle of the night, try eating something like cheese as an after dinner snack. Cheese takes longer to digest, so can help your body feel less hungry for longer. Good luck, and please keep us posted on how you are doing!