LR here - apparently my LO has his/her head on my left side and torso curved up and bum on my right side.. so i think it's getting into position. the dr could tell last week when i went in for normal check-up by feeling and then locating heartbeat.. i always feel the head when i get head-butted throughout the day.. such a weird sensation..

only 7w 2d left!! might be earlier than that, but Dr. says i'm right on schedule size wise!

also, Braxton Hicks are coming several times a day now! keep practicing LO, keep practicing!!

Hope everyone is well!

VEE here. I actually asked about positioning at my 30 week appointment. My doc said that they don't really worry about the position until about 36 weeks, since the baby can still change positions freely until then. I'm sure that there are differing opinions about this between doctors offices, but I'm trying not to think too hard about it until next month.

Elle here. The head is the only body part that bobbles on a neck, so if you feel a bulge that you can (gently) push on without other parts of the baby moving, that's generally the head. The only other thing that big is the butt, and that's pretty attached. That's how the doctors and midwives can tell the position.

If you look at the Spinning Babies website, you can also try belly-mapping. Mapping out where you feel what can give you an idea of the baby's position. Never felt hiccups super duper low, but I feel them on my left side below my belly button, and that's where the baby's torso (apparently) is. So I think I'm feeling his chest convulse when he hiccups. I also am getting kicked a lot on my right side, and I'm pretty sure that's where feet are, and knees and butt are right at the top and middle, with the head down low. I hope he stays just like this - this is a good position according to the midwives.

Coming up on 33 weeks! 7 1/2 weeks to go, and I feel like it's both coming too fast, and that I'm going to start getting antsy soon.

Petunia here - thanks for the information about the baby's position. I will be 33 weeks at my next appointment and will ask if they can tell, if they don't tell me.

I almost jumped out of bed last night after a good rib kick. It has never hurt before! This wasn't super painful, but surprising!

Anonymous wrote:Petunia here - I have been stuffy too. But, I have not noticed a bigger nose (thankfully!).

Since they typically do not do any more sonograms at this point, how do the doctors know when the baby is in head-down position? I know we talked about feeling hiccups low, which may be an indicator. As is getting kicked in or near the ribs. I am just wondering if the doctor can definitely tell when the baby is head-down. I guess I can ask at my next appointment.

They can tell a couple of ways. One is where the hearbeat is. At almost 33 weeks, I can feel the difference between her head and her bum, but my OB could feel the difference much earlier. And yeah, she's kicking the crap out of my ribs, which is a good sign too!!

Anonymous wrote:Petunia here - I have been stuffy too. But, I have not noticed a bigger nose (thankfully!).

Since they typically do not do any more sonograms at this point, how do the doctors know when the baby is in head-down position? I know we talked about feeling hiccups low, which may be an indicator. As is getting kicked in or near the ribs. I am just wondering if the doctor can definitely tell when the baby is head-down. I guess I can ask at my next appointment.

For pregnancy #1, my OB was able to tell position by feeling my belly. He was super experienced, though.

Petunia here - I have been stuffy too. But, I have not noticed a bigger nose (thankfully!).

Since they typically do not do any more sonograms at this point, how do the doctors know when the baby is in head-down position? I know we talked about feeling hiccups low, which may be an indicator. As is getting kicked in or near the ribs. I am just wondering if the doctor can definitely tell when the baby is head-down. I guess I can ask at my next appointment.

VEE here - nose getting bigger? Interesting! I hadn't heard that. I don't think my nose got any bigger, just more sensitive. Frequent bloody noses as well, which I know is pretty common.

Elle here! I heard your nose gets bigger at the end of pregnancy. Is that true?

I've definitely noticed a bit more congestion than normal during pregnancy. I am told that it has to do with increased bloodflow, which can make the nasal passages more sensitive.

But nose getting bigger? Really?

VEE here. Surprisingly I'm not getting up a lot during the night. First trimester was a different story. Right now, maybe once a night. I hope that doesn't mean I'm dehydrated!

The other thing that's creeping up on me now is the congestion. I specifically remember this from my first pregnancy. Around 7 or 8 months, I would have to get up in the middle of the night not only to pee, but also to blow my nose.

Elle here. I have to drink water throughout the night, or I wake up feeling dehydrated. I was waking up every 3 hours, but now I'm at every two.

So far I have no trouble putting myself back to sleep though, which is a blessing.

Petunia here - I suggested throwing your own shower. I am having a coed shower without games. Personally, I am not a fan (maybe I was just not a fan of guess the candy bar "poop" in a diaper). But, my sister, who is throwing the shower, got advice cards on Amazon. I thought they would be nice to read and add to the baby book. If you want games, I think it is a good idea to talk to a friend about running them. There are plenty of ideas on the internet. And, there are low cost ones like guessing how much toilet paper will fit around your belly. If you have not announced the name, people could put their guesses in a jar and then the winner (if there is one) could receive a little prize.

Vee, I hope you enjoy your sprinkle shower! I hear you on feeling huge. From the front, I don't look huge, but my side view is a different story! Getting in and out of chairs and sofas is getting dicey! And, getting (and staying) comfortable while sleeping - ugh!

So, how many time a night is everyone getting up to pee? I'm between 2 and 3. I am trying not to drink water close to bedtime, but get a little hungry and thirsty before bedtime. Oh, well! It is just getting me ready for nightly feedings!

VEE here. Friends from my new-mom-group are throwing a "sprinkle shower" for me since this is my second and I'm really looking forward to it. I think the idea is to just get together and maybe give an inexpensive, cute little outfit or something small. They've done it for others in the group and it's fun and laid back.

My mom threw me a shower for DS #1, and I think she really enjoyed the planning part of it. It was just extended family, which was really nice (we have a pretty huge extended family).

Speaking of huge. That's how I'm feeling! I feel bad though because when I look in the mirror, I don't look *that* humongous, but man, some days I struggle just to get around!

PP here. That's not a terrible idea, and I might do something like that, but I feel like it won't quite be the same. It would be weird to plan "activities" for my own party and stuff like that. Though maybe I could schedule the party and then ask a friend to be the emcee or something and come up with some fun games.

At the shower my mom's friend threw, there was a really nice activity where everyone wrote out their "Wishes for Baby," and it was really beautiful. "Advice to the New Mom" is another nice game, stuff like that where people really connect to what's happening. You know?

I know some people closely adhere to the shower etiquette and would never do this, but what about throwing yourself a shower? Or, since you mentioned not caring about gifts, don't even call it a shower - keep it casual - send out Evites and say you and your husband are hoping to celebrate with friends one last time before the sleep deprivation hits! Or, say it is to celebrate your little arrival, but no gifts are preferred. Just an idea. I know the idea of throwing your own shower may seem weird, but having the memories of celebrating with your friends may be worth it.