Yesterday was possibly the slowest day of my life. Our anomaly scan was booked for 4:15pm. I spent most of the day worrying that something was either wrong because I hadn’t felt much movement or that the baby would be hiding which would make measurements and gender check difficult. Eager to get in there, we arrived 15 minutes early and were seen almost immediately. In my nervous state I made some crass joke which basically made me sound as though I don’t usually wear knickers. Awkward!
As soon as the sonographer placed the wand on my tummy I saw what looked like a dinosaur, the bright white of the spine and the bony arms and legs. The first thing checked was the heartbeat and sure enough it was there, beating away. We later saw all four chambers of the heart and the blood flow between them. It was really amazing. The checks seemed thorough, the measurements of the cerebellum, head circumference and stomach were taken, the presence of two kidneys and all the correct bones was also checked. It seemed like everything was present and correct.
As suspected, I do have an anterior placenta which means it’s currently sitting at the front of my uterus as opposed to the back where it would usually be. I’ve never had an anterior placenta so I asked whether it would cause any complications further down the line and the sonographer reassured us that it wouldn’t affect labour as it is quite high up. So I was right about not feeling much movement and now I know why, it makes me feel ever so relieved. Funnily enough, since we left the scan I have felt a lot more movement – I wonder if all the prodding moved the placenta around?! It’s so lovely to be reminded every now and again that there is a little person in there.
We were able to get a few pictures but they weren’t the best, I did go and empty my bladder but baby’s position didn’t seem to improve – it was kind of curled away from my stomach wall as you can see from the picture above. The only other picture we got was a bit of a scary face on picture with two large, black eye sockets and a jawline.
Now, for the bit you all want to know – the gender! As the baby’s measurements were being taken I did keep an eye out for the ‘potty shot’ and the sonographer later confirmed my suspicions, there’s definitely not a willy there! It’s a GIRL!
I’d have been happy whatever the gender but seeing as I’ve already ordered a load of girls clothing it does save me some embarrassment and effort sending it all back! So there you have it.
I’ll still be doing my usual pregnancy update tomorrow and you can catch up with last weeks here.
So pleased it all went well for you and congratulations! X
Author
Thanks Sharon, we’re over the moon! xx
Ah congratulations! I had an anterior placenta with Parker and had insane and painful movements past 20 weeks, so I wouldn’t worry xx
Author
Thanks Emily! I will look forward to some mega kicks later down the line. I’m sure she will make up for it! x
Congratulations! When I was pregnant there wasn’t scans like these available. I would have loved to know the gender before they were born.its also lovely to be reassured that all is well
Author
It’s amazing how technology has changed isn’t it. It always amazes me how they can tell what’s what on those scans as it all looks the same to me! x
Glad all went so well. I had an anterior placenta and I think I felt less movement than others.
Author
Thanks Erica, yeh the placenta seems to cushion the baby’s kicks. I am feeling more and more as time goes on but probably not as much as some people x
Congratulations. Soooo happy for you x x
Author
Thanks Rebecca, we’re delighted x
Congratulations on it being a girl. I’m so glad the scan went ok. I had an anterior placenta on both of my children and I always envied the way people talked about feeling massive movements or seeing arms and legs moving across their belly x
Author
It was people saying about their movement that made me worry. At least I know all is ok now, looking forward to hopefully feeling more movement as time goes on. x
Congratulations! Glad that the scan went well. And good luck with the remainder of the pregnancy xx
Author
Thank you 🙂 x
Lovely news!!! Glad all went well 🙂 I too have anterior placenta..feeling quite a bit of movement at 26 weeks but seems really low down like in my bladder….best of luck with the rest of pregnancy 🙂 X X
Author
Thank you! It’s good to hear from other people who have or have had anterior placentas – I didn’t realise they were so common. x
Aww, congrats on your little baby girl! Lovely news and glad to hear all went well. I was so nervous about my 20-week scans with all my three children. It felt like such a milestone when all was thankfully okay for us. Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy x
Author
It really does feel like a massive relief afterwards, it’s easy to forget the scans are for very serious reasons and not just to check baby’s gender. x
Glad all was well and congrats on having a little girl!
Author
Thank you 🙂 x
I am glad everything went well and congratulations xxx
Congratulations! I have two girls. I loved my anomaly scan – after the initial nerves – my other children ‘met’ Pickle at that scan. It was magical. Kaz x
How lovely, huge congratulations. It’s such a relief to get that second scan out of the way and know all is well isn’t it?x
Author
Massive weight off my mind. I feel like I can really start to enjoy the pregnancy now 🙂
Ahh, lovely news. I’m glad it all went well and that you are reassured about the movement now xx
Author
Thanks Louise. Yes, I feel so much better since the scan and it seems to have made the little monkey wriggle a lot more! x