Also have a long walk.

I had curry too on Saturday night.

Labour started Sunday night after another long walk and rhubarb and custard.

lol, sounds good, I think I will add it to my 'get labour going' list

I had rhubarb and custard on Sat and Sun and a baby on Monday

Hiya all

39 weeks today and still waiting lol, I'm gonna end up being induced I bet!!!!

Does rhubarb help things along? I don't like it but will try anything.......

insert I am soo glad things are ok and you are getting regular movement...

what about you shewillbeloved

i just came to post "Where is insert?" and there you were at the top of the list!

Get some rhubarb and custard down you!

Sorry it's been long to update.

I am still pg, due in a week, baby is moving more than she was though, so that is a good sign.

Seeing MW on Monday when I will be 4 days off my due date so gonna ask for a sweep then to see if we can get things started.

I do keep having mild contractions sporadically and on Monday night I was woken up with one in the early hours but nothing came of them

Hopefully she will be here soon.

Thanks for asking by the way

Any news?

Just back from mat unit myself with reduced movements. They were great and all is well for another day!

How are things now insert.....??

<hopes to have her first live labour thread>

wow, definatly push for a sweep with consultant then

goodluck,

The BH's are getting quiet strong, no pattern to them and they are only slightly painful, but they are strong enough for me to stop what I am doing TBH.

<massive hopeful emoticon>

Having lots of movements today <phew emoticon> but I am quite achy in my lower back and abdomen. Lots of BH's also, so kinda hoping that this may be the start of things.

I'm still gonna beg the consultant to let me have a sweep though lol.

I am glad you are both doing ok...

sorry to be so dramatic

you are both in my prayers

I hope you are both okay and are getting lots of movements.

If it doesn't feel right, don't trust the midwife. One sent me home and then when it turned into an emergency my trace was "lost."

shewillbeloved, so glad you got checked out again and that everything looks fine.
I felt like you that you don't want to bother the MW's, but last night when I was being monitored (I also apologized) the MW told me not to be so daft. She said that they would rather see a pg woman with no problems come in and get monitored than a pg woman with problems not go in and something happen.

The MW and the DR I saw last night told me that even though I have a consultant appt today that if there are any changes or I was worried in any way to call them back and they will probably bring me in to be monitored again. That made me feel so much better, like they were actually listening to me IYSWIM.

I am going to speak to my consultant when I see him today and ask him it is will be possible for me to be monitored regularly until DD2 makes her appearance. I suffer with high anxiety and this is just sending me OTT with it now IYSWIM.
I think I might also beg him for a sweep lol, just to see if we can get things going on, I am ready for this baby to be here now. I want to meet her and know she is okay. It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride with this pg and I don't think I can take much more worry.

Take care shewillbeloved and go straight back in if you have any worries.
Thinking of you

Thank you all for your advice

I'm glad everything seems to be better. In my experience if the trace does show the line going up and down it is a very good sign. My dd's trace showed a variability of only 5 beats/minute - ie the trace was virtually flat. Hang in there but don't be afraid to go back if you need to. And drink and rest!

Just got home. Everything is fine again according to the midwife. Urine/blood pressure/temp checked. The baby was sleeping for the first 8 minutes of the trace and the 'criteria' was not met on the machine. Left me on it for a further 20 minutes and she woke up and the criteria was then met at 16 minutes. Heartbeat shot up a good few times from roughly 130bpm to 150bpm and the midwife said that was movement I just wasn't feeling and probably down to positioning. Felt her move once and pressed the buzzer. The trace report says '3 foetal movements per hour' although I only pressed once in 30 minutes?

Asked a lot of questions tonight which I didn't last night. Midwife seems to think that during the later weeks, babies move less due to being so restricted inside the womb but I should still be feeling at least 10 movements in 12 hours. Asked whether I'm eating and drinking properly - eating non stop, just not drinking enough. Says this can also slow them down a bit. I'm also in the middle of a quite stressful house move and she said that this won't be helping either. So I'm under strict orders to up my fluid intake, and take it as easy as I possibly can, and to go straight back if I still feel there is no improvement.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone

They extended my trace too - prob over 40 mins. There was some movement, but not much. As movement has been good to date I can see why there's not much more that could be done at that stage. Now I've had an episode of low/no movement though, I will go in if it happens again.

This is so hard. I'm 35 weeks and was in on Friday (due to low-level cramping) and there was hardly any movement on the trace or that morning but the heartrate was good and my baby had hiccups whilst there so we left it at that.

All was well later that day and on Sat, and then this morning, nothing for several hours despite doing all the usual stuff to get my baby moving.

All well again from midday to now but nearly went back in. If I could live there and be hooked up 24/7 from now until delivery, sometimes I really think I would.

Shewillbeloved, I hope you are ok.

When I went in for a trace I was on for 20 min approx. There was a few small movements and heartbeat was normal. MW said everything looked fine and after dr had looked at the trace I could go home. Dr said I needed to go on for another 30 min as he wasn't happy with lack of movements. The second time I was on still very few movements and heartrate dipped twice. Baby born straight away by emcs and was very ill. I really hope you are on your way in and everything works out for you. Don't let them fob you off.

oh sweetheart, I know how scary it is but they should never have sent you home without fetal movements. I hope you're on your way now and believe me we are all thinking of you. Shout loudly if you need to, don't let them fob you off. Thinking of you.

Hope you are on your way by now.

at your DH.

Hope all is okay.

Just rang the assessment unit again, explained everything and that I was allowed to go home last night without feeling movement even though I went in for a movement trace, and was asked to come back for another. Off there once DP has finished his KFC I'll report back later. God this pregnancy crap is bloody scary at times

Frasersmummy she shouldn't have? I didn't feel no movements and was probably on the machine for about 15 minutes max. She then came back and looked at the trace, said the heartbeat was fine and didn't seem concerned at all about no movements. Told me if I was worried again then to just come back, better safe than sorry.

I told her I had listened in on the Dopplers and heard the heartbeat, and she said that she doesn't like Doppler as they often make people think that things are okay when they aren't. Thinking back now - she basically just put me on a Doppler and said everything was okay.

Balls. This pregnancy has been so so easy, last night was the first time I've wanted to get checked out. I almost felt silly when I called up to see if I could pop down for a trace, even apologising for the time of the call (12am!)

I've not long had a fizzy drink with lots of ice, some chocolate.. and no movements as of yet.

babies don't conserve energy for the labour

how could they possibly know?

10 movements in 12 hours

any change in movements - more or less needs checking.

shewilbeloved

they allowed you to go home despite having no movements during the trace???

Thats not right ....

and please remember the heartbeat trace is only valid while its being done. Like my consultant explained (too late) its like taking a pulse.. means baby is fine there and then.. it doesnt indicate well being for any lenght of time

Sorry to be soo pessimistic..I will shut up now but will continue to lurk and pray for a safe outcome for you both

PLEASE just go and get checked if you are worried at all.

If you don't, and all isn't well you will feel so distraught.

Another one here who nearly lost a baby.

Insert - I didn't feel movements either, had the little buzzer thing but didn't press it once. Haven't been as busy today so have felt her kicking a few times, but even after getting monitored last night I'm still not completely comfortable with the amount of kicks..

I'm torn between people telling me it's normal, she's just conserving energy for labour etc, and people telling me that it's not normal at all and in their experience has only lead to bad things.

insert...

My first ds was stillborn and I always want to answer threads like this by screaming.. get back to the hsopital and demand they get the baby out

I am sitting here hoping and praying for a happy outcome for you

Please dont let the hospital fob you off .. If you are still worried keep going back..better to be labelled neurotic than losing your dd

that said.. I believe in motherly instinct .. I knew something was wrong ..dont know how I just knew. Trust your instincts

take care...

you are in my thoughts and prayers

Just got back, they monitored me and we could hear her moving but I am not feeling the movements

I feel so much better now, I got very anxious earlier on and I think that made me more aware of not feeling her move at all. I have relaxed a bit now knowing that she is moving.

shewillbeloved, glad you got checked out, I too have been having contractions/BH's recorded on the monitor but am not feeling them, bit odd but not sure what is going on there lol.

Thank you everyone.

~Shewillbeloved - Well done, so glad to hear everything is good and it looks like it won't be too long now..

I went in and got checked after midnight last night. They did a trace and everything was fine, and the little buggar wriggled so much as soon as I got home! Had a contraction peak as well whilst on the monitor which I didn't notice at all - DP is now convinced she'll be here any moment

I have been told repeatedly since that movements may well become less strong as the baby runs out of room but should not become less frequent. Oodles of poodles, well done for going in and saving your son.

Please anyone out there, just go and get checked. My little girl started moving less, then finally stopped moving. At this point I took myself off to hospital and unfortunately the hospital were very casual and left her suffering for a further 12 hours before some wise doctor came in, took one look at the traces and orderded immediate delivery. Because of this delay, my little girl has Cerebral Palsy. However we're lucky because if she had been left any longer she would be dead.

I usually refrain from telling this story and don't want to be accused of scaremongering but in this instance I must. The consultant I saw last week when he looked at my dd's notes and saw how long she was left in a womb that was no longer capable of supporting her life said one phrase that has stuck in my mind "there is no room for complacency".

My ds was hardly moving at 39 weeks. I went in for a trace on a Sunday night (I had mw appointment mon morning) and I really thought it wasn't a big deal and I was overreacting (I also thought reduced movements were due to lack of space). He had lost loads of blood and the dr thought he wouldn't have survived until the morning. I was very lucky.

* preceeded!

I hope you're on our way - we have been told 100% that if I had not taken myself off to hospital our little girl would have been stillborn. You just can't take the risk, even if you need to shout to be heard - go shout.

Please just go, I have too many friends who have had term stillbirths proceeded by less movement. It's not worth the risk.

Ask them if they are 100% sure that the baby is okay and can you have that in writing?

That should soon have them getting the CTG out.

I am OTT as we nearly lost our DS1 because a midwife felt she knew best.

I like the idea of a plan TBH, they would just have to look at the previous CTG's to see how many movements I used to get. They once had to keep me on the monitor for nearly 2 hours as she wouldn't stay still and they couldn't get a true trace. Now I am lucky to get one or two movements when I have a CTG done.

Insert - yes, just go along as soon as you can and ask for a plan. You need to follow your instincts here.

Yes

Hanging - oh well in Bournemouth I'm not surprised

Mum is in hospital anyway and I am taking DD to visit her this afternoon. Dad is picking us up at about 1.30pm so I will probably pop over the the MAT home then.

I am going to speak to my consultant about it tomorrow as well cos this isn't normal for me and the lo. Something needs to be done doesn't it.

Please don't wait.

Just go up now.

I expect she will get stroppy but just say it isn't a one off or the first time and you want the baby checked.

Just rang the ward and spoke to the MW, she said to wait until after 3pm (not sure why tbh) and if it is still the same to call back then.

insert...????

I hope you're off to be checked out - it could well be the start of labour but it's best to go and see your bubba is ok. I'll be looking out for news later.

Didn't get as far as the bath lol. Got a stabbing pain on the right hand side of my abdomen now.

Off to have a bath just to see if I can get her moving again, I have felt a couple of squirmy type movements but nothing else, so at least she is actually moving.

long plastic ones are icepops here in Bournemouth I'm afraid .

And if you haven't gone already - go get monitored! NOW.

I agree with FAB. Maybe you could get a management plan to reassure you - e.g. daily CTGs until baby is born. Tell them you have noticed a general reduction in movements and that baby was previously very active.

Re ice pops debate..........in the South the ones in plastic are called ice poles. But who cares anyway........they all turn to ice before you finish them Ice lollies on the other hand are yummy - especially the fruit juice ones

Please just go.

This is your baby.

If all is well, great.

if it isn't, you are in the best place.

This is your baby - no one elses, don't bother about what the midwives might think.

That is why I love MN FAB

DH is having a lie in but I may get him out of bed now and get DD her breakfast so I can pop up to the MW myself.

She hasn't moved since I got out of bed a couple of hours ago now. usually my morning coffee gets her going but not this morning.]

I am hoping things are getting ready for labour (wishful thinking again lol)

I am seeing my consultant tomorrow though so feel a bit of a fraud ringing today IYSWIM, but then again TBH they probably have a room with my name on it the amount of times I have been there with this pg

Only on MN, insert

Please go back for monitoring today.

I know I am being a pain but it all happened so quick with DS1 and we were lucky he hung on as the midwife we saw at 37+6 didn't do the checks she should have.

shewilbeloved - they don't know what the problem was but dd was in real trouble, in meconium even though I was not in labour and was not moving as she was struggling to keep going really. I'm sure it will different in your case and maybe you are now in labour but it is always worth checking. I've been told that they would always rather see a mum with no problems than to miss one who does have problems.

I love the fact that this has turned to a debate on ice pops . I have always called them ice pops, ice lollies are on sticks, I've never heard them called anything else.

She is still moving but only just IYSWIM, I have had 10 movements but usually by this time I have had loads more. She hasn't moved much since last night TBH so I am keeping an eye on things and may ring the MW again if she doesn't start moving more.
I think I only notice it so much because she is such a mover and squirmer normally.

Kaylo - I don't know you either.

baby stopping moving or slowing down movements should always be checked.

Stop all this thinking that they have less room to move or they are getting ready to come.

If I had believed that my first child would have died at 38 weeks.

Go and get proper monitoring however many times you need.

With my second I was at the hospital a lot for monitoring when I was worried and then I was scanned weekly for the last 6-8 weeks or so.

It isn't worth a risk if it is a problem and if all is well, what have you lost?

SheWillBeLoved i had pains in the morning and went to bed with 2 paracetamol and when i got up in the afternoon the pains had gone but ds wasn't moving. i tried the bath, cold drinks, sugary drinks and chocolate and nothing! panicked and made dp bring me to the hospital. while we were waiting i was pacing the corridors. the midwives said before they started the scan that i was in labour and would be back later that night. and i made it to the shop, home and was back in 5 hours later!!

if you are worried though call them and go for a scan they are really nice and don't mind. they told me that it was better going than worrying. x

Bollocks what was wrong with your baby Hanging?

please go to get monitored - I nearly lost my baby this way. I also listened to the doppler and thought it was re-assuring but you need a proper CTG assessment. I'm sure your babe is fine but please do make that phone call to the midwife.

How often is reduced movements a sign that labour isn't far off?

I don't know whether it's because I've been busy for the past few days (moving house) and haven't noticed them, but today I've been whining to DP about lack of kicks and constantly prodding my belly. She had a squirm about this morning but not much since. Just had a listen in on her with my doppler - first time I've needed to use it since feeling movements! She sounds okay, just not wriggling about as usual.

38 weeks today by the way.

FabBakerGirlIsBack sorry it took so long to reply - was grabbing some supper.

I live near Pontefract - how about you? Hmmmm, I'm intrigued!!

def don't know you then.

FAB - no!

Shine whereabouts in Teesside? I still miss the friendliness of there and the lack of traffic (well compared to down here)

Sorry cargirl

Does your RL name start with a V?

Thought they were ice pops everywhere! I'm a teessider too, but down south now.

Glad you OK IWNH..

<<sulks>>

cargirl - i don't know you whereas you kaylo, I might

I am from Manchester and they are called freezy pops

I'm a northerner (West Yorkshire) and ice-pops rule and are fantastic when heavily pg, I was full term in July 2006 with my DS and my GOD was it hot! I only stayed hydrated because of them.

I didn't even know there was another name for them

Teesside

Tell me more cargirl! where are you from

ice poles is southerner speak

<weird>

but they pop up out of the plastic! Ice lollies are on sticks.

Ice poles or ice lollies

Is Ice pops a northern thing??? I'm a northerner living in the SE and call them ice pops, what else are they called?

Mine went still or very much quieter and then I went into labour last week.

When I told MW she said it's often a sign. Good luck!

I'm kinda a northerner lol, (North East Lincolnshire)

I do keep trying not to wish the time away but it is so bloody hard, it feels like I have either been pg or breastfeeding for nearly 2.5 years lol.

Ice pops!! Are you a Northerner? Please tell me you but one who now lives in the SE.

I would have loved to have had mine closer together. You will be fine.

I know it is hard but try not to wish this time away as it is marginally easier when they are in you, especially at keeping baby cool in this heat.

TBH I think it is wishful thinking on my part lol.

Baby number 2, DD1 is 19mo now, don't know what possessed me to have them so close, I am keeping myself firmly in denial about how hard it will be lol.

This heat is killing me ATM, I have eaten about a ton of ice pops

could be...

baby number ??

lol, thank you for worrying about me, but I am fine
I have definitely had way more than 10 movements in 12 hours.
My bag is all packed (has been for weeks ).

The BH's are quite strong, but not painful IYSWIM, I have lower back pain and an achy, dragging feeling in my lower tummy. Nothing much has happened though so not sure if it is the beginning of labour or not <confused emoticon>

Go and be checked if you don't get 10 in 12 hours or it changes again.

I will only worry otherwise!

Are you organised in case labour is starting?

I was in early labour on Friday according to the mw then started properly on Sunday night and he was born Monday morning.

Still not as many as before FAB but she is moving. I think things may be starting as I keep getting quite regular BH's and I have a lot of backache.

Thanks for asking

How are the movements today, Insert...?

Glad all is well

Please go back if there is any change in movements again - you have less than normal or more.

The fluid is high and that is what I had.

I rally wish people wouldn't assume there was less room therefore there will be less movements. If I had thought that with my DC1 I wouldn't have him now.

<disclaimer> I am a worrier.

go for a check
but just to reasure you my 2 def moved less in the last couple of weeks i just assumed it was because they had less room
they cant really turn and do gymnastics once their head starts to engage
hope everythings ok but get checked out if youre worried

Thanks for the support everyone. I've just got back (been to see my mum as well who is in the hospital after having surgery). They did a trace for well over half an hour as they couldn't get anything at first, so I got quite worried then.

But they managed to get a heart trace and all is okay with that....phew....
They sent me for a scan as this is the 2nd episode of reduced fetal movements I have had just recently. they checked the cord and it is working fine, they didn't check the placenta though. They also checked the fluid and it is a little raised above normal but they said it is nothing to worry about. They didn't check her growth as I had a growth scan just 11 days ago and all way fine then.

So thank you all for your support, I am not worrying too much anymore, she is moving but only very sporadically so I know she is still with me IYSWIM.
They told me to call should I have any other concerns so I feel a bit better about calling them now if I need to.

I hope everything is okay with you and the baby.

Hope all is ok

iwnnH, glad you have gone in. Let us know how you get on.

Good luck and try not to worry.

At least you're having some movement and you're following your instincts to get checked out. Won't go into details but was in a similar situation at 35 weeks, dd1 is 8 years now and fine!

totally agree with frasersmummy - she will be in great condition at 38 weeks so it's no problem for her to be born now - mine were both born at 37 weeks - DD no different from a 40 weeker and DS a little scrawny!

And make sure you are on the trace for more than 5 minutes..

If this continues, insist on a scan to check for fluid levels and placental function.

We were in and out for two+ weeks with reduced movements until they finally scanned me at 40 weeks to find no fluid. The decision was then taken to induce as my baby would be better off out than in. All was well, but I wouldn't let it drag on that long again.

Good luck!

good luck

she is still moving .. so she is still with you ..

but please.. dont let them fob you off....

better she is a little early than .. well thats better unsaid

I have been there.. wish I had stood my ground and made them do something

come back and let us know how you get on

Hope all is well, iwnnH. Good luck.

I've just called and the MW told me to go ASAP, so I'm currently trying to get DD to eat her cereal.
Dad is coming to pick me up (I don't drive) mum is in hospital anyway so she cant come. Dad is having DD while I am there, she is gonna love that.

Thanks everyone. She has moved this morning but only a few times, starting to get a bit worried now.

Please don't wait again.

I know my case was unusual but we so nearly lost him. One day fine, the next precarious, (in retrospect) the next in serious trouble.

Glad you felt movements. Will be good to get a trace as well so that you don't fret over the weekend

Thank you everyone, she moved more but not as much as usual last night. I will ring the ADU this morning once they open and see if I can pop in for a trace.

Thanks, I was worried last night but felt better when she did eventually start moving a bit.

Dismiss the no room to move idea. Go in for a trace asap. It's prob nothing but only takes 20 mins to check.

You should go to the day assessment unit/delivery suite (call to find out which) and get a CTG done. Both mine had to be delivered at 37 weeks - I had CTGs done with them between 34 and 37 weeks - nobody will mind and it is routine to give a heavily pg woman a trace. Chances are, baby is fine, just having a sleep etc, but you must get it checked.

please go and be checked esp as you have tried all the usual things and no movement

some reduction in movement is normal BUT this is not normal for you IFYSIM

and you are worried, so for that reason alone, you should be checked as you are not likely to rest easy are you?

I don't want to panic you but you NEED to get checked out. I was told that babies go still when they are ready to be born and wish I'd taken more notice of what was happening.

Nobody will mind if it's a false alarm.
X

Get checked.

THEY DO NOT STOP MOVING BECAUSE THERE IS LESS ROOM.

Any change in movements needs to be checked.

I had lots of movements one day then none the next.

ECSection the next day to save him.

Call the midwife.

She has moved a couple of times since I started the thread, this isn't normal for her she is usually non stop at this time of the day.

I'm gonna give it a while longer then call the MW.

Thanks.

This happened to me with ds so I went to the day assessment unit. They did a CTG trace and said all was ok. Better to get peace of mind otherwise you will just worry until someone can give you that reassurance.

Probably fine but give midwives a phone anyway.

i always say, go with your gut feelings. Sod worryinh about being wrong, you'd kick your self if you didnt go.

It is normal for babies to move less vigorously as you approach your due date because there's less space, but they should still move as frequently I think.

But I don't think you should be too concerned at the moment - 2 hours is not that long, she might be asleep.

ice cold full fat coke. try that. it is the one drink i was always told to try when that happened.

but bottom line - if you are worried, go in for a trace.

I will be 38 weeks pg tomorrow, she has been moving all day but not as much as usual. I have had waaaaay more than the 10 movements that you are supposed to count.

I haven't felt her move in a couple of hours. I have had a bath as that usually gets her moving/kicking/punching. I have had a cold drink and laid down on my left hand side, I have eaten ice cream but nothing is getting her going.

Should I be at all worried and could it just be that there is no room left for her to move??