Change in movement

[smellsofelderberries]

25+5 today a little one has been moving differently the past few days. She's still moving regularly, but I have to lie on my back with my hand on my stomach to feel her, whereas for the past few weeks her movements had been getting stronger, her kicks were proper thuds and I could see my tummy moving from the outside. Each day this week her movements have felt weaker than the day before.

I popped up to the hospital yesterday as I hadn't felt her at all for several hours (even after some iced water and lying on my side for over an hour) and her heartbeat was fine and she perked up again when I got home, but she's quiet again this morning. I have felt movements, but again, only when lying on my back with my hands on my stomach, and they've been very subtle. No kicks, even after my morning coffee.
Do I go back to the hospital? They were really great yesterday and said to come up at any time, but they're not going to do anything aside from a heartbeat check.

It just feels like her movements are becoming less regular, and weaker, by the day

[SmallBee]

Go back to the hospital and keep going back as often as you need. Its what the antenatal unit is for. You're doing the right thing.

[Whywontthiswork]

Hi, this happened to me. It was really scary! When I went in to have a scan though I was told that the change in how I experienced baby's movements was because she had turned around and was facing my back, which is why I could no longer feel her moving about. This would never have occurred to me!
Could you ask for a sonogram? It seems a bit unhelpful of them to tell you they'll only check heartbeat.
Hope it gets sorted out for you, it's horrible to go through that worry.

[smellsofelderberries]

Thanks. She perked up for a while after I posted. Still not the normal big kicks, but enough that I could count them whilst I was cleaning the bathroom and moving around, and she did a lot. If she's quiet again this afternoon I will go up and might ask if they could do a quick scan, but I wont hold my breath. Fingers crossed she's hair having a growth spurt and will be back to usual in a day or two.

[Iggi999]

Hospital. If they aren't getting the info they need with the hb monitor, they may well do a scan, nothing to stop them.

[Becciilouisex3]

This happened to me and all was fine! I do think the midwives panic you a bit with the movement monitor thing! Not to say you shouldn't be monitoring them of course you should but don't panic too much if the movement changes as long as there is some movement!

When I went in a couple of times for the same thing they were great and told me there should be 10 movements in 24 hours and that includes the teeny ones!

As little one is growing and moving you'll feel them at different times, mine decreased between 24 and 28 weeks while little man was growing (when I was panicking!) but now he's constantly wriggling!

If you're ever really worried I'd always say go in but as a rule, if you feel 10 movements a day, no matter how big or small baby is normally happy! Sometimes you won't feel them as strong if baby is towards your back

[smellsofelderberries]

Becci the doctor yesterday said there are no set movements you should look for, but you should go in if baby isn't acting normal for them. I have felt way more than 10 movements today, but they're much more gentle/suble than previously, hence the worry. She's being quite active now, lots of pokes and prods, so feeling much calmer!
Will not hesitate to go up if she starts playing silly buggers again

[Iggi999]

Becci I really don't agree with you, sorry. It's a change that matters, not just a set number of movements.

[Northernlurker]

I agree that it's the change that's important. However at 25 weeks there is still a fair bit of room for baby to change position and that may explain the difference you feel. It's never wrong to yo and get checked and if her heartbeat is consistent then that's a good sign she's doing fine.

[GoldenWorld]

Yeah the 10 movements thing in 24 hours is outdated advice. I hear a lot of the older midwives say it because that's what they were taught 10-20 years ago.

The best thing to do is to look at the RCOG advice on baby movements. They recommend you should lie on your left side for 2 hours if you're concerned and if you haven't felt at least 10 in those 2 hours (not 24!) then you need to contact the hospital. The most important thing is to recognise your baby's pattern of movements and time of day when they're most active. If you're worried at all, you need to go back again. Every hospital is different but if it's happened 2 or 3 times you will likely have a scan at some point to check baby's growth, amniotic fluid volume and blood flow through the placenta.

Glad baby's perked up now though!

[icclemunchy]

Sorry Becci but that's poor (and potentially dangerous) advice! ANY change in movements should be checked, even if you were in hospital the day before.

If I'd of followed Beccis advice DD2 would have died in utero. The kicks count has loads of fab advice but please op if your not happy with her movements pop in and get her checked

[Becciilouisex3]

That's just the advice I was given by the midwives so I assumed it must be up to date! From experience, I went in to my unit absolutely panicking for my life multiple times because I was told any change in the movements could be bad news and the anxiety was probably worse for me and baby to be honest!

I completely agree you need to be monitoring the movements and if you're ever worried then go in as many times as you need to but looking back now, my movements changed simply because baby was smaller, had more room to move and he was just towards my back whereas now, he's got bigger and there is less room so I feel him more :) I'm not saying there's no need to worry or monitor because I did just that and I'm glad I did but, for me personally, the emphasis that was put onto going in for any slight change in movement by my first midwife sent my anxiety into overdrive which was horrendous at the time.
If you notice any change definitely don't hesitate to act but don't panic too much and assume anything is wrong straight away is all I was saying as that's not good for you or little one

[ohidoliketobe]

Hope all is fine OP.
Another one to say - 10 movements in 24 hours is not current advice. It is 10 in 2 hours lying on your side after having an ice cold drink, but also the current initiative is to get to know your baby's typical movements and go and be seen for any changes from what is normal.

Also ignore, ignore, ignore anyone who says movements reduce in the weeks before due date. Such a dangerous, outdated theory I can't believe is still touted about as fact.

[passthewineplz]

This is the current advice for changes in movements.

www.tommys.org/sites/default/files/RFM-Infographic_0.pdf

[kiki22]

This happened to me in both pregnancies first was his turning to breech then this time it was him turning from transverse to head down, 37 weeks now and had different more subtle movements from 35 weeks when he engaged.

[welshweasel]

If you're worried please keep going back. They would always rather see you and reassure you than have you sitting at home worrying. Reduced movements at 28 weeks was, for me, the first sign that all was not well with my baby. I was measuring fine, all midwife checks ok etc. Thankfully I received amazing care and ended up having a healthy baby delivered 5 weeks early. I was being monitored at least every other day so spent an awful lot of time in the assessment unit. No one was ever made to feel bad for coming and getting checked out.

[smellsofelderberries]

Thanks all. I'm still not happy with her movements so I'm back up at the day unit now waiting to be checked. The timing of her having this quiet time is terrible- we fly out to Singapore on Monday. Husband has looked up the hospitals there and we have excellent travel insurance but I'm hoping she really perks up over the weekend. I was worried enough about being away without reduced movements being a part of the equation