Constantly anxious about Fetal movements

[Skittles11]

Hi all

I am 27 weeks now and am finding I am constantly anxious about the movements I can / can't feel.

I have anterior placenta and started feeling movements at about 20 weeks but, as expected, they were not strong and in fact I wasn't even sure they were movements until later.

I am now 27 weeks and not much has changed. I have no pattern to the movements and they dont feel like they have got particularly stronger. It can be hours between feeling anything at all and then when I do I feel maybe 2 movements on balance. I thought typically I should feel it more when I'm sitting / lying down quietly but I often do not.

I have been in to get checked and earlier this week was put on the CTG machine. After half an hour the result was "not met criteria" so I stayed on for another half an hour and then it did "meet criteria" so I was okay to go home and was reassured. I also had had a scan the day before where some movements were seen but I couldn't feel them at all.

I was in a really anxious state about this earlier in the week.

Any words of wisdom? X x

[DianeArnold Partner]

Hi. Maybe you’ve tried, but often babies kick or move if you lie on your back on the floor, as it’d uncomfortable lying on your spine. Have you got a kick chart or is that too early. Hope all is ok. Diane

[M_fox]

Hi Skittles, I also had my placenta at the front and struggled to feel baby move but I always found lying on my side and when it’s quiet is when I noticed baby’s movements more (depending on what way baby was lying it was either feet or head, ( Ijust tried both sides to see which had the most movement) . Night time was when I felt her more. Consultant always told me to call Early Maternity if I was worried, never to doubt yourself, baby is precious and they don’t want you worrying at home xxx

[Backagain987]

Oh bless you lovely, no wonder you are worried.

I never had any pattern to movements, I was always trying to find one, but never did. I also couldn't get her to respond in particular positions or banging on the bath etc etc. I think I posted on here I was worried that there was no pattern. My midwife said that was kind of old school and they didn't worry about that any more as long as you had something each hour.

I did find if I lay down after a big lunch, and a very icy drink, flat on my back on the bed and kind of prod my tummy she would move! And that was reassuring. I literally spent £££'s on bags of ice, poor baby. No wonder she won't eat ice cream haha.

The weird thing was, when I went for a scan she would literally be spinning around and dancing and yet I couldn't feel any of it. So I think sometimes it's just how we feel things. I never had 'butterflies' or 'bubbles'.. I had the odd guitar string twang until she was so big I had a massive karate kick.

Goes without saying just keep going in if you are worried... no regrets remember..

Wishing you heaps of luck xx

[pink_lemon]

Pregnancy is hard and stressful. You are doing great. No experience with anterior placenta but my first did not used to move much. Once I ended up on a monitor after him not moving properly for 3 days. My husband used to blow raspberries on my belly to annoy the baby so we could feel he was still alive. You could try something like that? I heard ice drink or soft drink could work too? The placenta probably is not helping shielding any movement from you actually feeling it.

If you can go on monitor here and there for reassurance. But they all don’t have a movement pattern. You just go with your gut and hope (that was me literally).

Our second was very strong and I used to be in pain from him moving. And every day he would be quieter I would go to hospital at night. Better safe than sorry but I was there so often that they started talking early birth. He was fine.

I feel your struggle. Counting days and weeks to hold them alive and safe in your arms. Hope all will be fine for you.

[Beacon78]

I also had an anterior placenta and because it was my first pregnancy I didn’t feel my little boy until 24 weeks. Even after that the movements were subtle and I definitely had no pattern. A few times I ended up at the hospital because I hadn’t felt him for a day and when they monitored the movements he was fine. Also he was also wriggling when I had a scan and won’t sit still now (he’s 1.5 years old) but at the time it was anxiety inducing and very stressful. My advice would be that if you are worried and/or can’t feel movements then contact the hospital. They are great and will do their best to reassure you. I wish you the best of luck. X

[NemoFish]

I think ‘pattern’ is a bit of a misleading term. It suggests baby should be doing the same things at the same times, but that isn’t quite right! I went to hospital at 30 weeks for reduced movement and had six hours of minuting, baby still never met the criteria in all that time. I had to wait for the consultant to finish his theatre list for the day to get a scan.

I often found if I was busy and distracted during the day I wouldn’t notice her kicking. I’d often have to concentrate to notice. She was also breach until 35 weeks so most of what I was her head until my ribs rather than jabs and kicks.

Your baby is likely just in positions where you won’t feel it as much. At 27 weeks they’re still in a lot of fluid too. Saying that though, any time you feel anxious or concerned about it, ALWAYS contact the hospital. They will happily see you ten times in a week if needs be.

Hope everything is going well otherwise! X

[Twiglet2]

I had this with my son it wasn’t until his feet and bum were physically poking out above my belly button at like 33-34 weeks that I could actually feel proper movements and time them! I would feel flutters and thumps every now and then before that but no rhythm or prolonged movement that I could actually time. I had a lot of growth scans and private scans and could always see him moving and wiggling but could feel nothing! My placenta was at the front too. I’m the same this time 20 weeks and yet feel a thing despite baby literally somersaulting on 20 week scam last week! Doesn’t make me feel any less anxious about it of course but it can defo be your ‘norm’ you absolutely did the right thing getting checked and keep asking them to do that if you are worried at all lovely, I totally understand where you are coming from xx

[CXCYCZ]

Hi

I had a posterior placenta but still struggled to feel my baby move.

He had no pattern and I ended up having CGT scans booked twice a week. My consultant organised it. Every visual scan or CGT he was moving around and not gently either and I felt very few of them.

I was only ever on the CGT machine for 12 minutes and it sounds like you are on for much longer. So even when in theory you should feel them because there is no physical reason why not, and they are bouncing around, it’s hard.

I always apologised to the midwives as I felt I was wasting their time because everything was always fine but they said there was no need and if I was worried before my booked scan to come in.

So like the previous post said, any concerns call them and have that scan and reassurance. Otherwise the worry just drives you crazy and it’s such a shame because I felt I could not enjoy the pregnancy and I’d waited so long and had so much disappointment before I got there. I know you have had your fair share too!

[Crie1983]

Hi, I’m 30 weeks and am also anxious about movements, especially with it being my first pregnancy. I can’t say I notice a pattern and the movements aren’t as strong as I thought they might be. I don’t notice much during the day as I’m distracted with work. Quite often the movements feel like more of a rolling type sensation rather than strong kicks.

My midwife told me if I haven’t felt much to try lying down and relaxing, have a hot chocolate or icy cold water.

I said to my partner the other day it’s driving me a bit mad now always questioning movement and I just want the baby here now and to know it’s ok. I am having scans every 4 weeks and more regular midwife appointments at this stage but still can’t stop the worry.

It seems like movements are a worry for a lot of people on here so you’re not alone. I’m sorry I don’t have many helpful words of wisdom. You done the right thing by getting checked and I think that’s all you can keep doing if you’re concerned. X

[leo1980]

oh hun. After everything….i had this when i was at that stage of my pregnancy. (26-32 weeks) restricted movements. Couldn’t feel a thing at scans. I did/do meet criteria within 10 min though but up until 32 weeks the movements were not consistent. I don’t think it matters how long you are on the machine. You did the right thing to go to MAU and you should do that as many times as you need to. Feel reassured. The midwives understand. Just hang in there xx