Managing movements

[E_05]

Morning everyone,

I know I’ve posted before about movements but I just wondered especially you IVF ladies how did you manage your anxiety around knowing if baby’s movements were the same each day?

On Wednesday I had a really bad day at work and ended up in hospital with reduced movements all is fine but since then I’ve found it hard to trust myself that each day the movements are consistent with the last.

I’ve always felt stronger movements early evening and during the night but as the days are passing and baby’s growing I’m feeling more during the day to which is amazing.

After all we’ve been through there’s still so much of me that’s in disbelief this is actually happening and we could finally get our happy ending. I know it’s not normal for baby to move constantly but it would be a lot easier for me if they did 🙈 any coping techniques would be gratefully received x

[Ang24816]

Hi lovely. I really wish I could help you as it feels like hearing myself when I read your posts. I'll pm you my number as Id like to be there for you...up to you of course as I don't wanna impose. Xx

[Lamb82]

Hi! It's very hard there always seems to be something worry about! We had multi rounds of I've and recurrent miscarriage so I know the anxiety it can cause. I found that movements changed as pregnancy progresed and so a pattern was hard to come by. I would only advise trust your instincts and never be afraid to get checked if it helps. Generally I tried to keep calm and try something to make him wiggle, but I think he sensed my concern and gave a little bump when needed and now have a gorgeous little boy. Try to enjoy those little kicks as it's a very special conversation only you two can have. Wishing you a happy pregnancy. Xx

[E_05 in reply to Lamb82]

Thank you, I’m glad you said that as I feel movements are now becoming stronger during the day than the night. I think they do sense as il often say could I have a sign and then get a little kick. Hope you and your little boy are doing well xx

[Hidden]

I found movements really stressful and I thought it would be easier. My LG had a few active days then she went quiet for a couple of days. This started as soon as I could feel her so presumed this was her routine. I got told off by my midwife though as she said that’s not normal. I still went by baby though xx

[E_05 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, that’s interesting as I feel some days are more active than others and that’s what makes me worried but there does seem to be a pattern to it. Argh it never gets easier does it xx

[Hidden in reply to E_05]

Ask your midwife when you see her next as mine was pretty annoyed when I mentioned it but I knew it was normal for me. I had googled it and it seemed quite normal so was confused by her reaction. Hopefully when baby is here you’ll feel much better I know I did which I was surprised about x

[E_05 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I’m seeing her in a couple of weeks so I will do. I definitely feel like once their here il feel better as I know what to do then, at the moment I feel like everything is out of my control and I’m just having to trust my body which isn’t easy after years of it failing me. Hopefully that makes sense xx

[AllWeNeedIsluv]

I know I'm not ivf hun but you know my story. I went in with reduced movements lots even had abnormal traces at times. Just go with your feelings naturally your anxious you have every right to be but you know your babies routine and if it's reduced don't hesitate in anyway to contact them they'll rather see you than you stress and worry yourself. Are you not being monitored regularly that helps a bit but still I ended up a good few times with reduced movements. Find it hard to advice you just go with your feelings hun hard as it is if you don't it's complete torture a few times I tried to wait and see then I'd go in and feel him within 5 minutes feel silly but I'd be sat there for ages waiting for him to pass the test. Nightmare it is but such a relief to hear that heartbeat. How far are you now lovely I'm really pleased for you bless ya. 😍 😘😘

[E_05 in reply to AllWeNeedIsluv]

So lovely to hear from you, hope you and your little boy are doing well!

I’m 25 weeks now and still can’t believe it. The hospital were amazing when I went in Wednesday and didn’t make me feel like a nuisance or anything, I’ve got growth scans at 28, 32 and 36 weeks so I’m hoping they’ll offer re assurance to. I find it so hard trusting my body after years of not believing it’d ever be able to do this xx

[AllWeNeedIsluv in reply to E_05]

Bless ya. It's real hard isn't it very surreal when your having these huge milestones. Hard to believe it's true but it is hun enjoy it best way you can.

My boys fine he's huge in 6to9 month already he's only 13 week I'm not so good referred back to surgeons for another op this will be my 5th since iv had him. Constant pain from neck down it's awful.

So pleased for you hun keep us updated please 😘😘

[emmab178]

I think i went in about 4 times from 22 weeks onwards for reduced movements. Try something cold or sweet and lay down either early morning or late evening and find the pattern. Bubba will soon be so big that you feel it all the time.

I struggled with days when i was busy and didn't notice the kicks but she'd get hiccups and remind me she was there.

My anxiety dropped at the time they said pack the hospital bag, isn't that about 26 weeks?

Hang in there x

[E_05 in reply to emmab178]

Thank you, I know the more I stress the less movements l feel so really trying to focus on keeping as calm as possible. Baby seems to wiggle a lot when I eat so guess il just have to do that constantly 🐽😂x

[Amanda86]

Hey. Like other girls have said I never really felt like I had a pattern of movement. I have an active job (like you) and I often thought that possibly all the waking around maybe rocked him to sleep? Some days I felt like he moved loads and other days I’d wonder if I’d felt him. On those days as naughty as it is I’d drink some lucozade (which I also took due to hardly being able to eat so it helped a little with energy too) and I’d just sit and concentrate and he would kick. I also found lying on my left side helped.

Hope this helps. It’s such an anxious time, isn’t it?

Xxx

[E_05 in reply to Amanda86]

Thank you, I wondered that about being on my feet a lot. Can I ask when did you go on maternity leave? I’m finding it hard to decide when’s the right time with work.

It definitely is, everyone said once you feel movements it’ll get easier but I think it’s getting harder.

Hope you and your little boy are doing well xx

[Amanda86 in reply to E_05]

I took annual leave so that I finished up 4 weeks before due date, however he came 3 weeks early so only had the week off. I actually felt absolutely fine and could have worked closer to due date (had he not come early) but as I’d kept that leave I had to use it.

Whereas a girl who worked with me and was due just after me she finished up quite a bit before me. She was really sore and finding the job difficult. So I think everyone is different really?! It’s hard to know now how you’ll be then but I’d say at least a couple of weeks anyway?

We’re doing good thanks 😊 xxx

[Sarahlou01]

Hello. Our baby had reduced movements from 28 weeks after having had a definite pattern. We were then followed up with growth scans. I became a bit obsessed with baby’s movements but found that using an app that counts baby’s kicks really helped just to keep a log of when baby moved. If I’d not felt baby move for a while I would have a cold glass of fresh orange or water, some chocolate or a bath to get a wriggle from baby xx

[E_05 in reply to Sarahlou01]

Thank you, I have looked at that app and wondered if it was worth using. I’ve got growth scans booked in just wishing the time away now xx

[Hidden]

I know exactly how you feel. I suffered from anxiety all the way through my pregnancy - (7 rounds IVF - miscarriage etc) like you I had growth scans which will reassure you but eventually accepted it was going to be there till my baby was here. I had no real pattern of movements. In terms of advice trust your gut midwives and triage are there for you. Take some comfort in knowing it's perfectly normal to feel like that and you will get there in the end - good luck x

[E_05 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I do feel better since I’ve accepted I’m going to remain anxious in the beginning I kept telling myself it’d go the further I got on. It’s reassuring to hear from you all that as I think id been expecting to feel to much at times xx

[emmab178]

Don't they tell you to pack your hospital bag from something crazy like 26 weeks? Think that's when it kicked in for me. My anxiety shifted to 'holy sh1t, it's got to come out now'. Also i really enjoyed a prenatal yoga class. Mainly to talk to other mums to be and take a few hours a week to relax. Ours had a nap session at the end and then tea and biscuits!

[E_05 in reply to emmab178]

I hope not because I’m not ready to pack mine! Ah that’s worth looking into.

[emmab178 in reply to E_05]

Says it on the pregnancy tracker things. I've known a baby born at 28 weeks and another at 30 weeks that was our first lesson at nct, babies can come early.

Think they say you should be carrying your notes everywhere from 26 ish weeks and then your bag and notes from 30 weeks. Babies do come early! These kind of messages helped me to transition the anxiety from is everything ok in there to erm nothing is ready out here!