Family: Weeks 17-19
19 week belly shot:
Random thoughts and things I noticed:
-My veins are like whooooaaaa, especially when I’m working out. Remember those new stretch marks I discovered? They were VEINS and turns out it was a temporary thing. Still using the Supple Skin Oil and a new one, which I’m loving, this Mama Mio belly butter.
-All of my jeans still fit, but waistbands are getting snug up in here. I’m crossing over to maternity pants as much as possible starting this moment. I’m wearing some athletic crops right now (super stretchy) and debating cutting the waistband a little with a pair of scissors.
-We took Liv to an ice skating rink last weekend. I hope the Pilot enjoyed it as much as the girls did, because chances are that I’ll be requesting to go there a LOT this summer. When I am enormously pregnant and uncomfortable, and saddened by the fact that AC is like a rare jewel in San Diego, I want to camp out in the cold ice skating rink. I’ll be observing on the bench eating a popsicle.
-I feel like the belly has definitely popped past the “is that a food baby?” confusion to the “when is your baby due?” stage. Up until now, I’ve been hiding in baggier tops and light jackets, but I feel like I can embrace the belly and wear snug tank tops with maxi skirts and rock the bump a bit.
Belly button status: long gone. Maybe an outie is in my future?
Cravings:
-RAW FOOD. Giant raw salads with nut-based dressing, green juices, smoothies, and coconut meat or cashew desserts. Guess I’ll be brushing off some of my old skills.
-Heated up deli meat with mustard. I could eat this all day.
This is a classic lunch combo:
-Oatmeal or oatmeal with peanut butter and berries.
-Acai and pitaya bowls. All day every day.
Aversions:
-Nothing really! I still have some days where cooking sounds horrible, but if food is placed in front of me, I’ll likely eat it. Even curry and Indian food sound good again! This is where I wave a giant piece of roti in the air and sing a celebratory song.
Some other things of lately:
-We have a doula, and she is an angel. I met with her a couple of days ago, and I knew instantly that she was the one. She has such a kind and warm demeanor, and is extremely knowledgable with a lot of experience (bonus: she’s a lactation consultant so she can help us out with that, too!). We’ve rounded up an incredible birth team (the midwives, Tom, and our doula) and I feel so thankful.
-In medical news, my placenta is low. I don’t have placenta previa (when the placenta covers the cervix), but mine is a little under 1cm away. What this means: if the placenta doesn’t move up, I would need to have a C-section because going into labor would risk placenta abruption and high bleeding. The good news is that as your uterus grows, often the placenta will move up as it expands. The doctor said there’s a 75% chance it will move up, and I have to go back at 26 weeks for another ultrasound. I’m glad they’re monitoring it to keep everyone safe, and am just trying to stay hopeful and take it easy. We talked to the physician at the ultrasound office, and he took his time to thoroughly discuss the situation and answer our questions. He said we’re fine to go to Hawaii and continue on with life, but to remain mindful of a couple of things. I told him I teach fitness and briefly went over each class, and he said that BODYPUMP, spin, yoga, weightlifting and basic cardio are all fine (he said, “You can get in a great, moderate workout and maintain your fitness”) but he said he would avoid treadmill intervals and super high intensities, so no more orangetheory for now. I’d rather stick with the classes I teach for my schedule, and walk/yoga/barre on top of that for now. (He also made me feel better by saying nothing I do/did has an impact on where my placenta is located. It’s just where it happened to implant.) So that’s what I’ll be doing, and hoping that things have improved by my next appointment as things grow. If anyone has experienced something similar, I would love to hear your story.
-Now that we know for sure that baby is a girl, we’re going to be looking at ideas to get the nursery ready for her arrival. It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the halfway mark! Things are moving so quickly, and it’s going to be amazing to have her out and about here with us. <3
xoxo
Gina
Past updates:
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I just wanted to chime in about your low lying placenta. I had the same and we watched it and even had to schedule a c-section. Finally, at 36 weeks, less than 2 weeks before I went into labor, it moved and I was able to deliver naturally. So there is even hope up until the end! I was stressed about it for a while so I just want to offer some encouragement
that is such great news, and very reassuring to hear!! hopefully mine will do the same! xoxo
I had a low lying placenta with both pregnancies and it moved both times by my 26 week ultrasound!
that is so comforting to hear! fingers crossed
I had a low placenta as well at my 21 week ultrasound but at my follow up ultrasound at 27 weeks it had moved up and out of the way. My doctor was very reassuring at my 21 week appointment that most low placentas move so we didn’t worry too much about it. I hope everything turns out well.
I had slight placenta previa at my 20 week appt. They were preparing me for a very early birth, like 26 weeks scary situations!!! But by my next u/s it had moved up and I delivered safely at 39 weeks! Still by c-section but that was for another reason!! Praying it moves for you also!!
You look great! I found out at my 20 week ultrasound I had placenta previa. I did not notice anything at all abnormal, and my placenta moved out of the way in plenty of time – I want to say by 24 weeks it was in the clear.
Good luck with everything, Gina! I’m carefully following along with these family posts since it appears I’m joining the mommy club. <3 🙂 Still pretty early and haven't had a doc appointment yet (it's so cruel that you have to wait WEEKS in between!! lol), but i'm very excited. 🙂
I also hadow lying placenta att be anatomy scan and a repeat scan at 26 weeks was good but baby had flipped breech! She did end up flipping back head down but I still had a c-section for other reasons.
i had a low lying placenta as well at 20 weeks but it had moved way up by my 28 week US. I was able to deliver naturally and my little boy decided to be born on his due date! You look great and glad you are finding great providers. I think my doula was the reason I had the birth I wanted. 🙂
You look beautiful! I’m thinking placenta raising thoughts, if that’s a thing! haha
Your bump is quite prominent (if that’s the right word)! You are looking great as always Gina. <3
I’m 27 weeks tomorrow and at my 18 week ultrasound, they told me my placenta was low. Went back today for a follow up ultrasound and it had moved up! Thankful it took care of it on its own. Hearing my baby is measuring 4 weeks ahead and I’m in a good position to have an over 10 lb baby…that I’m still trying to digest. Haha!
I had a low-lying placenta too. Like your doctor described, mine rose up higher as the pregnancy went on. I have to say though, I loved the extra ultrasounds to monitor everything and getting to see my little guy more often! ??
You look gorgeous in that outfit!! xx
My placenta was low until 36 weeks. It finally moved after 5 ultrasounds. We got to deliver vaginally not to mention got to see our little guy many times! There is hope it will move even if it hasn’t by your next ultrasound. But if you do have to have a c section, it’s not the worst thing and definitely best for mama and baby. Good luck!
I had a low lying placenta with my daughter who was just born this past November. Mine was also one centimeter away and unfortunately never moved up. I was super frustrated because it was my first pregnancy and I did everything right as far as eating healthy, being active, etc and had this random thing happen. I ended up having a C section at 38 weeks, which took me awhile to accept because I wasn’t going to experience labor, but in the end I’m happy with the decision. They said I could have trial labored, but it wasn’t worth it to me. All that matter was the baby was safe and I was safe. Mine didn’t budge at all and stayed around 1 cm away for all 3 of my scans they did, but fingers crossed that you have better luck!
Well you are just THE cutest!!! Love your bump!! So sweet!
I had the same thing with my second daughter. Went in for the second ultra sound at 26 weeks and placenta was totally fine and moved right up. I was excited because with my previous pregnancy I had only gotten one ultrasound at 20 weeks and that was the plan the second time so it was fun to get a look at her a second time. For what it’s worth, I am very active and did body pump and Zumba etc up until the day each of mine were born with no ill effects! I am sure your placenta will scoot on up!
congrats for being over the is-that-a-food-belly state 🙂
I also had a low placenta at the half way mark, but sure enough, as I got bigger the problem went away and I delivered a healthy baby girl.
Hey. My first was a partial placenta previa. We hoped for a natural birth but ended up with an emergency c section. Looking back I wish I had research / prepared more for the possibility of a c section especially in how the house was set up. Stairs are tough after a c section. Healthy baby is all that matters but I wish I had prepared not just hoped for the best. Smiles!
totally agree. i’m going to break out my resources just in case, because last time, i totally skimmed the c-section portions of everything
Just wanted to say that you’re looking great! The bump is adorable 🙂 Hoping that your placenta raises in the coming weeks and you continue to have a healthy pregnancy.
thank you so much!!
I had a low placenta twice. It is not s big deal and moved up as the belly grew. Had a regular, active pregnancy with normal birth. It will be fine!
Yay for finding a great doula! And you look great, as usual!
You look so stinkin’ cute!
My placenta was low lying the second time around too. It moved up by 26 weeks. It seems to be common in second pregnancies.
good to hear!! xo
You look amazing! I also had low lying placenta, but at my 30 week ultrasound last week it had moved up! Fingers crossed for you, but it will all happen as it it supposed to regardless of what happens!
I had a low lying placenta which was discovered in my last pregnancy at 20 weeks. It moved by the next ultrasound they had me go to at 28 to check it out. Chances are with you that it will move! I’m a long long time reader but have never commented before. Just wanted to say Congrats on adding to your beautiful family!
Congratulations on the little girl Gina, what a blessing! Looking forward to seeing your nursery come together – Angela (Oh She Glows) did the most divine girl’s nursery!
X
angela’s nursery was so dreamy!! unfortunately we have zero space here, but a la tim gunn i’m going to make it work 🙂 xoxo
Omg Gina! You are gorgeous! You def have that glow going on and you’re still super teeny! Your belly is so damn cute! Where are your shorts from? You know how much I love my booty shorts! And those are adorable!
XOXO
thank you so much, lovely!! they’re old form lululemon- the knock out short. they’re my favorite ever
hope you had a great weekend!
I had a low lying placenta with my son and we had to closely monitor it up until 36 weeks, when it finally moved. Thankfully, I gave birth vaginally at 41 weeks and 6 days. It’s scary at first, but then I talked to people and realized it is more common than I thought. You’re not alone in this struggle!
Also- I have had 2 other friends have this same issue and for everyone, by week 36, the uterus had grown enough/placenta had moved and they were able to have a vaginal delivery! Sounds like you have the right attitude and are staying positive about it all!! I will be hoping and praying you can have a vaginal delivery!
amazing. so glad to hear that yours moved and you had a good birth experience! it’s very reassuring to hear that other women have been through the same thing. the doctor freaked me out a little! thank you for hopes and prayers too. i appreciate it so much <3
My placenta was also 1cm away from my cervix and it moved well away by the time I was about 32 weeks. And I did yoga, gym cardio machines, weights, swimming etc right up to the end of my pregnancy with absolutely no issues. I’m sure yours will also move and all will be fine. Good luck!
so awesome to hear. thank you!!
You look amazing, my friend! So glad you found a great doula you love so much!
thank you, lovely! hope you’re feeling well!!
haha i remember when you were completely averted to raw foods, good that youre craving them now 🙂 and i’ve noticed the deli tury + mustard cravings 😉
hope all continues to go well!
I had a low lying placenta as well but it moved. 🙂 My doctor said it was nothing to be concerned about and that it was rare for it NOT to move into a better position before birth. I did, however, still have to have a c-section for other reasons, and it was really not bad at all. C-sections are too worked up to be something horrid and they’re really not! And I am a complete WUSS! Not that you will need one, but I thought it might be encouraging to hear that from someone who is incredibly wimpy, in case something happened you did need to have one. 🙂
thank you so much- it’s very reassuring to hear!!
Thinking happy thoughts that your placenta moves (that’s a sentence I never planned on writing!) and that everything goes smoothly for you!
I’m 38 weeks as of tomorrow and just found out last week that my placenta finally moved up. The cutoff at my hospital is 2 cm for c-section . I was at .9 at 19 weeks and 1.7 at 32 weeks, so I was definitely prepared for a c-section. I was blown away last week when they told me it moved up to 4 cm away.
One thing to bear in mind is that there is some subjectivity to the measurements. I am slightly concerned that my latest measurements could be off – the first two ultrasounds, I had the same technician in the same radiology center, but for the 37 week one, I went to a new center with a new technician. My midwife understands my concerns about which reading could be the more accurate one. So we’re basically just going to be on watch for excessive bleeding and I’m mentally prepared for a c-section if anything starts to go wrong. But my providers told me that the placenta moves up in 90% of cases, so I shouldn’t be too worried. Hope yours gets itself on the move soon!
Your bump is precious! And your preggo posts are giving me serious baby fever- and my current baby is only 7 months old! Uh oh! 😉
Congrats on baby girl #2!
thank you so much!!