Scared about movement

[Joeysjourney]

Morning ladies. I'm hoping some of you can understand and even better if you can reassure!

Movement, or the lack of it is really taking its toll on me. I'm 27 weeks and hes been very active this week 💙🙏🏼🙌🏼👶🏻 but yesterday and this morning I feel he is very quiet. Not zero movement but definitely not as pronounced as the previous week, either in strength or frequency. This seems to happen. Busy days followed by a random quiet day or two just to keep me on my toes!

I had an appt with my midwife on Thursday and all was fine on the doppler but I was unhappy with the lack of movement enough yesterday (Friday) that I still landed in hospital triage for further reassurance last night at 10pm. Heart rate was again strong and consistent. I also had an ultrasound on Monday as I hadn't seen him in a while and he was brilliant, active and growing.

Last night after hospital I felt him a bit more and he was kicking downwards which was nice and reassuringly uncomfortable lol.

I've barely slept as you can imagine and there's been very little movement this morning in the last few hours. I think ive felt him twice, or have I? I don't know anymore, what's my name, what year is it?!?!?!

All the usual tricks don't work, lying on side, back, fizzy sugary drinks, music - he has never responded to that stimulation ever. He's never had a pattern except that he's normally more active at night.

If I'm still not happy today I wont hesitate to go to triage again but all they will do for me is a doppler until I'm 28 weeks. My private scan place hasn't any appts till tomorrow. I might see if my midwife is on today and just chat to her, she brilliant with me.

Not sure what I'm asking. I'm just so worried. Is it normal to have more quiet periods? I can't tell you how reassuring it is when he's super active throughout the day, I just wish every day was the same! Ivf and previous loss anxiety really does SUCK!

[Londonlady2024]

Sorry to hear you're going through this. It could be perfectly normal. I went to triage for too much movement which wasn't the usual pattern which they called "exaggerated" movement. This can happen and equally they can go quiet. If you don't have an anterior placenta then I suggest going back to triage ASAP. My hospital did ctg from 26 weeks so unsure why your hospital is waiting til 28 weeks. Get a second opinion and ask to see a Dr. You need to advocate for yourself. Tell them that you are still worried and that you're not leaving without seeing a Dr. Finding the heartbeat on* the Doppler doesn't mean baby is okay.

Sorry but you need to go triage ASAP xx

[Tnthketnf in reply to Londonlady2024]

My hospital did the same, ctg only over 28 weeks but offered doppler+scan for reduced movement under 28 weeks.

[Joeysjourney in reply to Londonlady2024]

Hiya babe, thank you so much for your message and advice. I took it and went to triage again. They won't do a ctg unless bleeding/fluid etc but I did persuade them to let me see a consultant and get a scan to see blood flow etc. All was good again. Baby just seems to be having a quiet weekend, maybe it's his position! Feeling him on and off though so will just keep being vigilant! Xxx

[Aquaharmony]

Hi Joey,

Sorry to hear you are going through a difficult time. I am trying to remember how it was for me then and I remember there were quiet days and more active days. The more active you are the more baby sleeps and also the more likely you will miss movements. Remember they sleep alot and it isn't unusual for some days to be more active and others to have little movement. Even once they have a clear pattern they don't always stick to it.

My little one was super active later from around the 30 week mark and constantly had hiccups at least once a day which was hugely reassuring although also exhausting as I didn't sleep well.

Get the reassurance you need but remember your little one is tiny and spending a lot of time sleeping and movement can vary significantly and it takes a while to feel their pattern of movements it should get easier as they get bigger.

Sending you all the best and a small bit of advice. Your baby has been hard won so you will worry more than most and all mothers worry alot. However, stress isn't good for you or the baby and will make things harder on you both so work out what you need to be able to enjoy the pregnancy and rest and prepare for the birth. I needed to talk to someone and wish I had counselling earlier as I find it really helpful for my anxiety. This might not be right for you but think about what you can put in place that works for you as you will need this.

🤗💜 You've got this!

[Joeysjourney in reply to Aquaharmony]

Thanks millions for the reassurance. I went to triage again and insisted on a scan this time and you're right, he's just small and still wriggling in there. Heart beat and blood flow all good so fingers crossed it's just positional. I feel him this morning a bit so 🙌🏼🤞🏼🙏🏼

[Tnthketnf]

It could be perfectly normal but definitely go to the triage to get checked out. My little one was like this. She had days when she was unstoppable constant kicks and moves to the point I was worried she was distressed and then a day with barely a tap. She was fine every time. After I lost all amniotic fluid (completely unrelated to pattern of movements and unlikely to happen to you) I could feel every move and during her quiet moments I would panic.I was on the ctg every day from that point and onwards. Protocol said every 2-3 days but because I was worried at the slightest change or lack of activity I was asking to get checked as often as possible. So I totally get it.

Your worries are very understandable and I hope your midwife and staff at the triage have some awareness of the impact of infertility on maternal mental health during pregnancy. And offer all the necessary checks for reassurance and support.

I am so happy for you and I am waiting for that sensitive post with the birth announcement in 3 months time! Xx

[Joeysjourney in reply to Tnthketnf]

I can't WAITTTTT to make that announcement huni! I hope you and baby are well!? You're a rock star and happy first mothers day!

I had him checked again yesterday and he was fine. Scan this time and umbilical cord etc all OK so it seems the little rascal is just kicking somewhere I don't feel it alot! The consultant and midwife yesterday were good and looked up my notes and immediately said, oh no wonder you are a bit more worried! So they got it xxx

[Tnthketnf in reply to Joeysjourney]

I am glad you got checked and he was fine. Sometimes they position themselves in ways you can't feel their moves. But I totally get it. Feeling movements was one of my main anxieties in pregnancy. It still hasn't sunken in fully that mother's day it'snot just for my mum anymore!Baby is fine, small but catching up with her corrected age. just fallen asleep after an early morning feed!

Xx

[Lana89]

Hi lovely you did that right thing going to be checked I was always there being checked

My boy would only move at night no real pattern to it but when he was born the nurse said wow he wants to party at night and to tell the truth joe he is the same now he is 18 months and he finally went to sleep at 4.30 this morning

I was pregnant at 16 with my daughter and I felt the movement all day seen her move in the bath nothing with my son just a bit of movement at night

I think I was 7 and half months and I had a midwife appointment at the GP with a older midwife I’d not seen before and within 5 mins of checking me she said your carrying extra water I said what yeah your carrying extra water that’s why it’s hard to feel babe move she was the first person to say it I’d been on loads of scans seen loads of midwives

So when I went back for a check up at hospital I mentioned it as I was being checked and the midwife said yeah she’s right

So it might be worth a mention at your next check could you be carrying extra water or babe might just be a party animal at night lol

Your doing everything right tho joe going to be checked I had ultrasound direct on speed dial and always back and forth from hospital for peace of mind

I know it really stressful especially after all we have been through just to get to that point but not long now girl your nearly there

Good luck with everything babes

X

[Joeysjourney in reply to Lana89]

Oh i just ask that next time about the fluid thank you! And thanks for the reassurance, it is unbelievable how just hearing from all you ladies calms me or prompts me into action! I insisted on a scan yesterday so that was all good. Mr baby just seems to be keeping me on my toes! Xxx

[Twiglet2]

You are totally doing the right thing getting checked 🤗but as you know I was the exact same, not much movement at all some days and if there was it was at night. This was basically exactly what he did when he arrived too though! He just wasnt a kicker and slept loads too the first 2 weeks! So strange cos after 32 weeks I felt my first son loads but not my second, was defo a worry all the time but like you if it went longer than a day and I didn’t have an appointment near I did call the triage, actually I went into triage on the Tuesday with a growth scan appointment that Friday and they just moved it forward. You are totally normal and going everything right! I hope you get some sleep though lovely xxx.

[Joeysjourney in reply to Twiglet2]

They are wee rascals aren't they but it just goes to show they have their own wee personalities even in the womb! I slept like a log last night. Completing exhausted myself with it all lol feeling more positive now. Went back to triage and got a scan with consultant who was very happy so trying to relax. Until the next episode lolol sending love and hugs to you on mothers day with two babies xxx

[Twiglet2 in reply to Joeysjourney]

Aww that’s good to hear a good sleep can change everything 🤗 thanks lovely xx

[Wishinandahopin]

I remember definitely having this, especially as I had an anterior placenta, some days lots and some very little and sometimes what felt like a few hours without and then just as I was planning to go to hospital I’d get a little nudge. I always felt reassured if I did then feel some movement. However my situation was slightly different as due to some leaking fluid I had a regular ctg twice a week from 26 weeks. So that reassured me a little more, had I not had that I’d say I’d have been back and forth getting reassured a lot! I think the midwife’s are used to it and would rather overcheck than something bad happen. So sounds like you’re doing the right thing! Xx

[Joeysjourney in reply to Wishinandahopin]

Yes they asked me about fluid etc and don't have that so I suppose i should be more thankful that everything is uneventful at the moment in that regard! I had a scan yesterday with the consultant and he was happy. Baby just moving about and still must be small enough to hide it! They are wee rascals! Thank you for your reassurance, it honestly helps xx

[Tinkertinkerbell]

OMG it doesn’t seem 2 minutes since this was me! I had days of feeling her loads and days of barely anything. Towards the end I went to the maternity assessment and antenatal a few times on days when I just couldn’t get her to move. She always had a strong heartbeat. It was very scary to suddenly not feel her moving. But she was fine and it made sense when she was born - she was such a deep sleeper and barely opened her eyes the first couple of weeks! World war 3 could be going on around her and she wouldn’t wake up. Girl was just sleeping in there! 😌 She’s nearly 4 months now and a lighter sleeper but still loves her sleep. I think it’s good to go and get checked if you feel worried. It’s what they’re there for and they never mind. But I do think it’s normal for them to have active and quiet days x