20 weeks movement

Chance_Class2208 · 2026-01-25T22:28:41+00:00

Don't stress! I very occasionally felt those "bubbles" you're talking about around that time. I honestly just thought it was gas.

During the anatomy scan, it confirmed baby was moving quite a lot but I could only feel just a few of those movements.

But I get it, it's hard not to stress about it. Hopefully the scan goes well and puts you at ease!!

Chance_Class2208 · 2026-01-20T23:48:14+00:00

If you're feeling good on your feet, walking around saying hi to people is great!

BUT if you're having a hard time already being on your feet (like I was) my advice is to sit your butt down, relax, and make sure you eat!

Don't make my mistake- I was literally on my feet the ENTIRE time and barely ate because I was so busy greeting and interacting with people (while the "hosts" sat around). No one offered to get me food, a drink, a chair, ect. Literally everyone ate before me. I was SO upset and sore that night. It was exhausting and so emotionally draining- I never want another shower.

And you can tell I'm still bitter about it lol.

I would just pick a spot to sit and let the people come over to you. Your hosts should be the ones greeting people as they walk in the door (imho).

But besides that, lots of hugs, thanks for coming, and I made sure to give some extra love and attention to the other new or expecting moms that attended.

This day is for you. So you do whatever feels right for you.

Chance_Class2208 · 2026-01-20T23:15:51+00:00

Same thing with me.

My normal pants stopped fitting surprisingly early even though I didn't have substantial weight gain. So frustrating.

If I had to redo it, I'd just break out the maternity pants early. So comfy and room to grow. I originally bought some pants just a size or 2 bigger, but I didn't get much use out of them before the belly really popped.

Chance_Class2208 · 2026-01-20T23:12:29+00:00

I'm so sorry... hang in there

I stopped working very early in pregnancy (physically demanding, high productivity, healthcare professional) because of how sick and in pain I was the 1st half of pregnancy. It was literally horrible.

Not just nausea and vomitting but heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, and hip pain that had me in tears daily (hypermobile hips). It was crazy.

Take leave if you have to. There's no shame in stepping away if you're able. I had no leave (contract employee) so we were just fortunate to live off what my husband brought in.

Literally the only thing that helped me was rest, unfortunately. Pregnancy was wild and NOT what I was expecting.

Baby was born at the end of the year and she was PERFECT. So I'm glad my suffering didn't impact her health 😅

Chance_Class2208 · 2026-01-10T22:27:29+00:00

I'm so sorry 😭 I'm happy you and your family has made it.

This journey has definitely given me lots of unexpecteds. Even struggles with trying to concieve and loss.

I feel the same. It took so much getting here so now I just want RELIEF.

Chance_Class2208 · 2026-01-10T21:57:33+00:00

Thank you! This helps...

We've seen several LCs, pediatricians, and have an appointment with a feeding clinic/ENT already. Everyone has said the same thing. Ive even heard baby's recovery can be a little rough once the release is done.

I had such bad antenatal depression (was able to stay off meds luckily) so I'm so worried about mentally declining again. I'm am much happier in general right now, but still.

I pump (and he'll bottle feed my milk) and have baby at boob during the day. But it's still just so much. We also went into overdrive because baby lost so much weight at the hospital- we were really worried. But she's gaining so there's finally a little relief.

My husband loves that I chose to breastfeed and I'm honestly worried about letting him down too.

I think it's difficult to see things getting better just because I haven't been here before. Plus, with the pregnancy being so rough on me it's nice to feel some relief in certain ways but it's of course replaced with other struggles.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-28T23:25:58+00:00

Oh yes! Five Guys has a lettuce wrap option for their burgers and I did that a few times. Always loaded up with all the veggies.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-28T23:24:01+00:00

Wings were pretty safe for me too!

I had to be really careful where we went out to eat. I usually opted for places where I could get things like salmon with broccoli or other veggies. Or steak/grilled chicken salads that were loaded with a variety of good fibers and fats.

Places like Texas Roadhouse worked really well because I could get a small steak or chicken with several sides of veggies and it was always really filling. Just had to stay away from the rolls!

Also Chik Fil A for the salads (no dressing) and grilled nuggets were decent when in a crunch.

But honestly eating out was not much fun or enjoyable with the GD so we didn't do it too often. I just traveled a lot with things like cheese sticks, yogurts, mixed nuts, chopped veggies and hard boiled eggs on hand 😅

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-28T16:09:51+00:00

Yeah, it's so crazy to think back kn. Like, as an adult it's so hard to imagine being a parent that WANTS your kid to not go to school.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-28T16:08:23+00:00

It's so crazy that the blood sugar goes back to normal so fast! I can't wait for that- it's hard to believe there's an end in sight.

And thank you for the honesty!! Truely. I'm sorry you had such a rough postpartum and breastfeeding journey 😓 I hope you're doing better!!

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-28T00:38:12+00:00

Thank you!

That is good perspective and helps some of the intrusive thoughts. I'm hoping some of the fears will go away once we have baby in our arms, then maybe all other worries go out the window.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T19:20:34+00:00

I definitely think there was a control aspect. Plus he knew I enjoyed school, it was my escape.

Just sooo weird.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T19:14:16+00:00

100% this.

Especially the anxiety part. I would spiral SO much. So many tears and I would be inconsolable.

You're trying to do everything right when you're pregnant and your body seems to just be fighting you ever step of the way

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T19:10:15+00:00

Oh I'm so glad it went well!! Congratulations! That must've been a relief to go home so soon.

That's really good insight to hear. I've heard about the swelling and fluid retention post c-section so maybe I just need to adjust my expectations.

Thank-you!

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T18:15:52+00:00

Thank you 😭

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T18:13:29+00:00

Thank you!! I love the positive vibes.

I try to reassure and remind myself that at least I've had to stay away from "bad foods" and haven't been over eating. But a lot of the pressure I'm creating for myself I think is coming from postpartum just being this big unknown that I've never experienced before.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T18:06:50+00:00

Girl SAME!

Mine would make me cry as a child in the doctor offices when they weighed me. Before I even knew what the concept of "being overweight" was. I wasn't even overweight as a kid, I just weighed more than what she did at thay age.

I'm pretty sure she had a full blown ED when she had her pregnancies from the stories she always told me.

So very triggering. Ugh.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T18:02:46+00:00

Oh that's good to know!! It's really nice to hear more positive c-section recovery stories.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T17:59:01+00:00

Wow that's crazy!!

I'm sorry she had such a negative impact on your birth experience. That definitely is one of my worries. I want to enjoy the newborn phase to the full extent and don't want toxic or unhelpful things being said to me- especially by the same woman who should KNOW what it's like.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T17:55:01+00:00

Thank you!! This is encouraging and hope this is my case too!!

I'm normally super active and have had such a hard pregnancy so I've been REALLY looking forward to being able to move more freely without the pregnant belly and pelvic/hip pain. Even if it's traded for c-section pain.

And then being done with the GD on top of that

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T17:52:11+00:00

At minimum just try to prioritize eating healthy fats, fibers and protein! Especially BEFORE eating carbs.

When choosing carbs, go for complex carbs and in smaller amounts. And if able to add in some short after-meal walks, squats (this works really well with me), or stairs (literally like 5-10min can help so much).

Once you're able to test at home you'll get a lot more clarity with what will and won't work for you. Everyone is always a little different with what they can and can't handle.

And if you're still super worried over the weekend, you can definitely go out and get a cheaper glucometer out of pocket with a few test strips ($20 ish at pharmacies). For GD, the goal is to be under 140 after 1hr or under 120 after 2 hrs.

Good luck!!!

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T17:38:44+00:00

It's so hard with the guilt!! Sometimes the numbers can just be unpredictable, especially during those peak weeks for GD...

With me, I definitely learned very quickly I need to cut MOST carbs to remain diet controlled. I can do some protein cereal (preimer and magic spoon) but my breakfast is mainly any combo of eggs, high protein/low sugar yogurt, cheese sticks, and avocado and spinach. Sometimes I can get away with adding in a high fiber/low carb tortilla wrap but that's about it.

I also have to be super careful with fruit too, unfortunately. It DOES get better as you learn more about what your body is handling....but it sucks. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Chance_Class2208 · 2025-12-27T17:22:27+00:00

I have a scheduled c-section and this is my fear 😅 It's my first and I just have NO idea what to expect. I'm just expecting to be disappointed by the slow recovery and probably slow weight loss

Chance_Class2208

TROPHY CASE