Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A Kicking Baby

I know I haven't talked much on here about this second pregnancy much, and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that things are going relatively smoothly and there isn't much for us to worry about. I've been lucky to be healthy and so far, everything with the baby has been great as well.
One thing that has been on my mind a lot lately is a comment that I heard recently. I forget if someone told me directly, or if I read it somewhere, but I have heard that moms have noticed a difference between the "kicks" associated with a "typical" baby and those associated with a baby that has Down Syndrome. When I think back to my time being pregnant with Colin, I felt him moving all of the time. He would get me under the ribs, and I would see him pushing out in different areas of my stomach and since I didn't have anything else to compare it to, I thought he was kicking pretty strongly.
When asked how I feel this time around, there have been some differences to me. I have attributed them mostly to the idea that maybe I am having a girl this time, but it has made me start to wonder a little bit more. In the beginning this time, I was much more nauseas (never actually getting sick though thankfully), I feel that I am carrying differently, it took me longer to "look" pregnant, and I have commented more than once that I thought the movements of this baby were different.
Until I heard the comment recently, I never would have thought that the reason the movements were different were because this baby potentially does not have DS. However, the more this comment has been on my mind, I am starting to notice that the movements of this baby are more severe and are definitely stronger. This baby will often take my breath away by the strength of the kick, some movements are more painful (especially when it forces a lot of pressure to one area), and I feel as though they are larger movements. I am starting to wonder if maybe there is some truth to that statement...what about those of you, what kind of differences have you seen?
Chris and I just recently talked about what it would be like at birth if we found out this baby has DS. It's amazing what a little preparation and experience will do to ease one's mind at the thought process. The way we talked about it was so nonchalant and comfortable because we just know we would be fine. I will admit, I am curious to see what it is like to go through a baby's development that does not have challenges that hold it back, but that curiosity does not take away from the blessing this baby will be to us no matter what...
I guess we can only see what kind of gift God has in store for us this time around...just over 2 months to go!

8 comments:

Runningmama said...

Glad everything is going smoothly...can't wait to see Colin with the baby! I have a little over 2 months till my due date with #3 and wondering how Emily will be with the new baby, she hugs her baby dolls and then body slams them...hmmm hopefully she'll be a little gentler with this one :-)

Lori said...

Interesting observations...I would have to say that Charlie was by far my strongest kicker, I barely felt Paige and Anna moved all the time and gave me some seriously sharp jabs in my ribs. I think it really had more to do with size and positioning as opposed to having Ds or not.
Either way -- your baby will be a blessing. Hope you continue to feel well and we can't wait to meet your newest bundle of joy! =)

Wren said...

So exciting!!! Can't wait to here if it's a girl or boy! Funny thing about the kicks...Landon never kicked, he moved a lot and I could see the movements (like you described with Colin) but Sutter KICKED and WIGGLED all the time. I use to poke and prod Landon if I didn't feel him after an hour or so....I never had to do that with Sutter. May be a Ds thing or may just be an every kid is different thing. Makes me miss being pregnant!

Erin said...

I can say that both my babies were different in the womb but not that my "typical" child had stronger kicks. With Nat there were times I would worry when she wouldn't kick for long periods but with Lucas he never stopped kicking. There were times that it seemed like he was doing bicycles in there and it would be very painful. Maybe it's just that my first pregnancy my abdominals were stronger and I didn't feel as much. And with the second they were kind of stretched out so I felt more? I don't know, just a guess.

Congrats, you're in the homestretch! So glad your pregnancy has been good.

JC said...

Russell was my fifth baby and I can tell you that I personaly noticed a HUGE difference in his movements compared to my other kids. Russells movements were slower, more gentle and subtle, and not nearly as frequent. At first I thought maybe because I was so busy during the day I didnt notice his movements...But then even on days where I was sitting quietly I still didnt notice him move much at all. I'm sure thats not the case with ALL Moms, maybe some never noticed a difference at all...But I sure did!
I cant believe you only have two months to go!!

Adrienne said...

You're getting so close Kelli!! Can't wait to find out what it is!!!

Bennett was my easiest pregnancy. I think I read that comment and I don't agree with it at all. Bennett kicked just like my girls did and I've never had morning sickness with any of my kids and Bennett was no different. I carried the same too- they always say you carry different with girls vs. boys but not me. I don't know why it was easier but I guess because with Ainsley we had a terrible experience at the end and with Harper I had really bad low back pain but with my Bennett, nothing! I remember asking the perinatologist if it was possible that Bennett had really good muscle tone because he kicked all the time and just as hard as my girls did (remember I knew he had DS)-LOL. Don't think that has much to do with it!

I don't know, everyone is different and that was just my experience. I'm glad it's been an uneventful pregnancy for you though. We need to talk dates!

Sweet Pea's Mommy said...

I've felt the same way recently about the current kicks. I really thought Sweet Pea moved a ton, but this one certainly causes more pain when she moves!

As for this next baby achieving developments so easily and quickly...I'm scared! I've learned to enjoy having the time to cherish Sweet Pea's accomplishments and I'm afraid that this new baby will blow through things so quickly that I won't have any time to enjoy her successes! It will be wonderful, but a little sad for me at the same time.

Becca said...

I'm so glad to hear all's going well! I only have my pregnancy with Samantha for any knowledge of kicks, but at the time I thought she was pretty strong and was constantly moving. I do wonder if a "typical" child would be different, but I have also heard from people that all pregnancies can be completely different from each other, regardless. Eh, who knows?

Can't believe it's only 2 months away!!