How much movement is usual?

[dizzymama]

Hi all, I was just wondering how much movement is usually felt around 30 weeks pg? I know this is no exact science but this is my first baby and some days I feel loads of movement whilst on others there is significantly less. I thought baby should have settled into a movement cycle by now? Am I making that up or am I just being a paranoid mother to be? Any advice really appreciated.

[zephyrcat]

i had that with my pregnancy right up until ds was born. The general rule that midwives/doctors give you is you should feel at least 10 movements in a day - but i found that this made me very over paranoid because i didnt always feel them. Its ok if you are sitting still but if you are doing stuff you dont always notice. I would say if they stop for a noticeably long time or if you feel at all worried just ask the midwife for your reassurance

[fefifofum]

Hi Dizzy - I think baby is just having some busy days and some notso, my ds felt like he was having a party somedays and had invited all his mates round, then the next day would be all quiet, hangover I guess! As long as you have some movement most days, I wouldn't worry. If you don't feel anything for a few consecutive days that's when you should see your doctor. Good luck!

[jabberwocky]

This drove me crazy too. DS never moved very much. Could be because he was wedged in as a frank breech pretty early on in the last trimester. I remember noticing much more movement at night. Seems like I read somewhere that when you are moving around it lulls them to sleep, then when you settle down to try to sleep baby wakes up!

[fufmum]

Hi Dizzy i am 31 weeks PG tomorrow and it's exactly the same for me so don't worry. I had been told about the ten movements a day, as said before, i decided not to start counting as i would get paranoid.
If you feel well and baby is moving i am pretty sure you have nothing to worry about. This is my first baby too and i know how easy it is to get yourself into a tizz about stuff!
My little one has decided sticking his foot under my right ribcage is comfy but he has to move when i get in the car to drive so i always feel him move then. When i get worried, i try lying down and rubbing my tummy for a while , more often than not i am satisfied with a nice big kick or a wiggle around.

[Lonelymum]

This question drove me nuts when I was pg with ds1. Four children later, I learnt to relax about it a bit! Your baby may be moving more at night when you are asleep?
I used to prod my baby just to get a reaction back! That may sound a bit harsh, but I also noticed that babies seem to move more when you lie down or lie in a bath. Maybe it is just that you are doing nothing and thinking about the movements all the time. Anyway, you could try it. Also, balance a heavyish book on your stomach and see if that gets a reaction! I must sound awful, but I am just trying to show you how paranoid I was (for no reason).
Ultimately, if you are worried, go to the hospital and have the baby monitored. You won't be the first person to do so unnecessarily!

[Discomonkfish]

Hi Dizzy, I'm due on Tuesday next week. My baby hasn't moved much at all up until the last few weeks. All the books / m/w say that you will probably notice fewer movements around this time but for me its been the opposite. I made an appointment with what I thought was the Ante Natal GP about 10 weeks ago but I'd made a mistake and booked in with my normal doctor. He is a locum and flamin' useless , he told me that I should be feeling 10 movements before the afternoon! So needless to say I was really anxious as I had felt nowhere near that. I would go with Lonelymum's advice, lie down somewhere quiet and you'll probably notice a movement or balance the book on your stomach (we bought one of the pre-natal monitors and whenever we stick that on my stomach little Pip trys to boot it off!) All else fails go to the hospital it'll be worth it to settle your mind x

[Nimme]

Yes lie down and relax (or in my case eat something). When you are running around they get lulled to sleep by all the movement but when you stop they wake up - a sign of things to come {wink}

[dizzymama]

Thank you ladies, you've really put my mind at rest. Sure enough Junior perked up over the weekend when I had a chance a lie down and rest.