If you follow me on Social Media you may know we had a 4D scan last week. The company put a shout out on Facebook for 2 mums who were between 28-32 weeks pregnant and could attend a 4D scan as part of training purposes. I genuinely didn’t think I’d get a spot, but I called anyway and they luckily still had once place left! Eeeeek!

When I was pregnant with Lamb my husband and I thought 4D scans were a little creepy. The thought of seeing your baby in such close detail before they were born didn’t sit well with us. However this time round we were so intrigued to ‘meet’ him!

If you read my blog posts regularly and have been following my pregnancy updates you’ll know that I’ve been suffering with anxiety recently. It’s not terrible, but it’s fairly regular and not nice.

The the 4D scan I had is designed to improve the bond you have with your baby, and I have to say this totally worked. I’ve never felt so connected to my baby. Seeing his little face and watching him move around helped me realise there’s an actual person in my belly. A person with their own personality, their own features, their own smile. Since the scan my anxiety has calmed and I’ve felt much more relaxed about having another newborn. I could almost go on to say I’m excited about it! 😉

We’ve decided to keep the scan photos secret and not share on the blog. They are amazing and show exactly what he looks like, which I think should be for our eyes only. If you want to see what a 4D scan looks like you can visit The Baby Scan Studio website to find out more information.

There are different 4D scans packages available with prices starting at £115. This may sound like a lot of money, and in fact it is, however I honestly believe it’s worth every penny. I left the scan feeling on top of the world. I had the biggest smile on my face and so did my husband.

What was extra special about the scan is that they are accommodating to the whole family and were more than happy for Lamb to come along. Having him there ‘meeting’ his brother was such a special moment. At first he was a little distracted, but the lovely ladies at the scan kept him involved by talking him through what was on the screen. At one point the baby looked like he was waving so they paused the scan and rewound the video to show him and we pointed out that the baby was waving at him.

In all honestly the whole experience was incredible and a memory that will stay with me forever.

I wasn’t asked to write this review. Like I said the 4D scan was free, but not in exchange for my review or promotion. It was for training purposes. I was just so lucky to get a place! I’m writing this review because I was genuinely so happy with the scan and the service. I didn’t get everything included in the package, like the 4D video etc, but I did get plenty of amazing photos, which I will happily share with you once baby boy is born!

If a 4D scan is something you’re considering, in my opinion you should go for it. I truly believe it helped me bond with my baby and helped with my anxiety.

My baby boy is absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to meet him.

Ax

P.S He looks like his brother!

Welcome to the third trimester! I’ve never been totally sure when the third trimester starts, some say 27 weeks, some say 28 weeks, so either way I’m definitely in the third trimester! Which seems totaly crazy. It feels like 5 minutes ago when I announced I was pregnant with my pregnancy announcement video, and 2 minutes since I shared my gender reveal poem with you!

Yesterday marked the start of my 29th week of pregnancy so this update is for weeks 27 and 28, up until today. I actually have a few things to update you on which makes a change! I’m sure these updates will be more regular now I’m getting closer to the end; more check ups = more to share!

Last week I had a consultation at the hospital. I was 27 +3 and because of this I had to book my Anti-D injections for the following week as you have to be at least 28 weeks to have them. Sigh.

At this appointment the midwife too 3 huge bottles of blood – no idea what for sorry, although one would be to check my thyroids levels as usual. I heard baby’s heartbeat and the midwife measured me as 27cm which was just right.

I took this opportunity to mention something I’m struggling with to the consultant. My hands. For a number of years I’ve struggled with the strength in my fingers. I can’t carry shopping from my local shop without my fingers going red and stiff. I can’t hold a plate for longer than a minute to serve dinner without it feeling like I’m going to drop it and my fingers locking. The consultant said it sounds like carpel tunnel syndrome. I was worried it’s arthritis as my Auntie was diagnosed with arthritis in her late twenties, and being 29 myself and having suffered with this for a few years now I couldn’t help but think it’s the same thing. Especially as I also get achy hip joints in the middle of the night.

There’s not a lot they can do while i’m pregnant, especially as carpel tunnel syndrome is quite common in pregnant women. However I have been transferred to the physiotherapist to discuss further. To my surprise I actually have an appointment next month which I wasn’t expecting – I thought it would be weeks before I saw anyone (the consultant even joked that the baby might be here before I’m seen!) I’ll keep you posted on what they say.

While I’m at the physio appointment I’ll also mention a trapped nerve I’m really suffering with. Like with Lamb, I have a trapped sciatic nerve which is causing me a lot of pain. Unfortunately I have at least 11 weeks to go (unless baby is early) and it’s only going to get worse. I don’t think there’s anything they can do, especially as my bum is so big there’s no way they could massage it out! 😉

I’ve still been suffering with a little anxiety. Nothing too worrying, just a little breathless ness and panic when I think about having a newborn. I just worry I’ll have PND and 2 children to deal with. Plus Lambs sleeping is awful at the moment. I’m being very strict and not letting him sleep in bed with us. It’s not going well. He wakes up as many times as a newborn and I’m literally exhausted. I’m powering through though. I can’t have a toddler and a newborn co-sleeping with me!

Another symptom I’m struggling with is a really hot patch at the top of my bump. I had it when I was pregnant with Lamb and the exact same patch is buring 24/7 again. I spoke to the midwife about it and she suggested asking the GP for something that neutralises the stomach acids, however the GP didn’t want to give it to me as it said only under extreme circumstances and wants me to get approval from my consultant first. As much as it hurts (the only way I can describe it is it’s like someone id holding a flame to the top of my bump all day) I’d rather not take something that isn’t totally safe when you’re pregnant. I dealt with it with Lamb so I’ll just have to deal with it again.

Week 27 saw me pop to Sainsburys for some breast pads as I had my first proper leak! I’m actually surprised how little I’ve leaked this time. When I was pregnant with Lamb I leaked from 25 weeks so much I had to wear breast pads all day and night. What a waste of milk! This time I’ve hardly leaked at all, although I get the sensation I am. It does concern me that my milk won’t be a strong as it was with Lamb, I mean I could pump a full large Tommee Tippee bottle every 3 hours. I had so much stored away n the fridge and freezer! I’d love to have that much again.

Week 28 was pretty similar in terms of symptoms. A little more anxiety, heart burn and of course the heat in my bump is still there. I’m also struggling with sciatica more, so really looking forward to my physiotherapy appointment next month to see what I can do to ease the pain.

The baby has been moving around so much this week. It feels like he’s having a rave in there! So many full movements rather than little prods and kicks. He’s so different to Lamb. Lamb was head down by this point and stayed that way until birth. SO the kicks were in my ribs constantly. Baby number 2 is breech at the moment and feels like he’s doing full turns, it’s crazy! I’m preparing myself for a more complicated birth because of this.  I’ve got a growth scan at 34 weeks so fingers crossed he’s head down by this point and I can stop worrying!

I’ve also been having period like pains and low down aches. Nothing too painful but they are daily.

On Wednesday evening we were invited to have a 4D bonding scan for free as part of a training programme. I still can’t believe we got it for free. If I’m honest I’ve always found these a little creepy, but it was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I saw my baby boy and saw what he looks like. He’s absolutely beautiful. Since the 4D scan I haven’t suffered with anxiety at all. It’s really helped me bond with him and I can’t wait for him to be here. I’ll be writing a full review on my 4D scan experience soon.

I think that’s it for this update. As you can see things are getting a little more interesting and I’m finding writing about pregnancy a little easier. I’ll try to update you more often now we are getting closer to the end!

I can’t believe on Sunday I’ll be 30 weeks! I just can’t get my head around how quickly this pregnancy is going. He will be here in no time!

Ax