About to start crying with worry, I don't know who to believe or what to do, IRT lack of and change in movement. Are there any MW's or anyone on here who can help?

[SchrodingersMew]

Okay, I posted a thread in AIBU the other day about something completely different but the conversation was mostly around this.

I had to go to Maternity Assesment a few days ago because my baby hadn't moved in 2 days. They put me on the monitor and were the MW's and a Doctor had said they wanted me on the monitor as long as possible as there were decels in his heart rate, but by this point he had started moving.

Another Doctor came in about a half an hour/hour later and quickly said that the trace was fine and to go home but he wanted me to go for a scan as he stops moving a lot (I have been in a few times for the same thing) then a MW said maybe he's getting bigger and it's getting harder for him to move.

Next day I had been posting on here and was convinced to go back as he hadn't moved at all again, I phoned the base where my consultant is and was told that they should be monitoring me and to phone them straight away.
Was on the monitor for 20 minutes, only seen a MW this time and she said it was fine and this time said he's probably too small too feel him. (after telling me he was probably too big to move easily a day earlier).

He moved a bit yesterday evening but the movements don't feel the same as they did, no where near as powerful, normally when he moves you can see it and feel it from the outside, it's just not the same at all now.
He hasn't moved at all today.

What do I do? Who do I believe?

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

How many weeks are you now?

[SchrodingersMew]

Will be 28 on Monday.

[phlossie]

It's impossible to speculate on here aboutwhat might be going on, but I say that if you are worried you should absolutely trust your instincts and keep calling and going in and being seen to reassure you.

[NormanTebbit]

Phone and get monitored again. No one on here can put your mind at rest. You need to have this sorted at hospital. Go and phone them.

I was tested in daycare with DD2 and they were lovely, lots of women having it done.

[BagofHolly]

If you're worried, go back.

And whilst you're on your way, try drinking a big glass of the iciest coldest water you can, to get him moving. Do they know where your placenta is? If it's anterior it can mean you feel less.

[SchrodingersMew]

I just don't think they are going to say anything different.

I mean yesterday I didn't even get to see a Doctor, they are just going to keep telling me him not moving is probably normal even though I know it isn't.

Before this he was extremely active, so much it was starting to hurt and it was constantly. Now it's days where he doesn't move...

[SchrodingersMew]

Bag Before I went in yesterday they told me to drink icy water, lie down and wait an hour. I did this, then went in and the MW said that the water thing is a load of crap and can't possibly influence them moving.

[cupofteaplease]

Trust your instincts and go back. I'm 27 weeks and don't get many movements but I've accepted that's normal for me. I think it's the change in movements that you need to be alerted to. Good luck, I'm sure everything will be ok

[SchrodingersMew]

Cup I think I will wait a couple of hours and if he still hasn't moved I will go in again.

Even when he starts moving when I go in, it's just not the same as it was.

I would feel like an idiot saying "yeah he's moving but it's not the same so I know something is wrong".

[phlossie]

Doesn't matter what they say, doesn't matter how much of a pain in the arse they think you are, it's your body and your baby and you must trust your instincts.

[BagofHolly]

Gosh really? That's what they told me at The Rosie when I turned up there, regularly! I hope you get to speak to your consultant.

[SchrodingersMew]

I know that, but the way I feel is they are looking at me and acting like I'm not a pain in the arse, but I feel there is something they aren't seeing IYSWIM?

It's just the one Dr wanting me on the monitor as long as possible and saying about the decels on the trace, she felt my tummy and my legs? as well. Then another one came in and said everything was fine. Who do I believe?

[going]

SchrodingersMew always trust your instinct it's a very powerful tool. You need peace of mind and a caring midwife will understand that. Good luck

[SchrodingersMew]

Bag I'm due to have a scan and see my consultant on Weds and have considered waiting it out but I really don't know what to do.

[kalo12]

are you working? I think you need to take a few days , or aeek or so off work, really monitor the movements , the triggers - food, sweet things positions time etc.

go to the maternal assessment unit whenever you feel worried and ask your mw to book a scan

[SchrodingersMew]

I'm not working right now as I have hypermobility and the pregnancy has made it so my hips are too sore to walk much with.

So I am in my bed quite a lot of the time so it's not as if I am walking around and not noticing him move.

I try all those things: Lying down, ice cream, icy water, sugary drinks, tapping my stomach.

[ThumbsNoseAtSnapewitch]

Trust your instincts - go and make a fuss and make them do a scan or something. At least if you can see that he is ok and the heartbeat is strong etc. you can relax - which has to be better than fretting yourself to flinders over it. I know it's Saturday and therefore a PITA but just do it anyway.

[SchrodingersMew]

They wont do a scan until Wednesday. They want it basically minutes before my consultant appt.

They actually said to me to make the appt through the scan department because although they had scan slots they didn't want to use them up.

I don't know that his heartbeat is bad, I know there have been decels but I still feel even though you can hear his heart there is definitely something wrong...

Maybe I am just a hypochondriac.

[kalo12]

go to mau as many times as you want. many people go for much minor things. one thing we are constantly being advised is if you are worried your baby is not moving go there. that is one of the main purpos of 24 hr Maaternal assessment unit

[SchrodingersMew]

But I do go and they say it is fine.

Is it possible he has just decided to stop moving for no other reason?

[ThumbsNoseAtSnapewitch]

Just go again anyway. Because if you are this distressed about it, your baby is likely to feel the effects of that in hormone levels and the MWs should be bothered enough to do something to alleviate your anxiety.

[dutchyoriginal]

Certainly no expert, but I would be worried about the change in actions. Phone and go in, demand a more thorough examination.

[SchrodingersMew]

Is there anything I can ask them to do that is more thorough than the monitor but not a scan?

[Tangle]

If you don't feel like the MW is adequately explaining what you are feeling, or that what you are being told today is contradicting what you were told recently, then try and find a belligerent assertive patient hat and get a bit more pushy. (Can you take your OH, or a friend or other family member who can support you and help you keep asking questions - I know 1st hand how hard it is to keep questioning a White Coat when they put their "I'm a Dr and you're just a patient, dear" attitude on, and someone slightly less involved can be invaluable in helping me persevere rather than slipping into "yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir" mode )

You are allowed to ask for a 2nd opinion
You are allowed to discuss your case with the Supervisor of MWs (and as I understand it there will be one present whenever the maternity unit is operational)
You are allowed to discuss your case with a member of the consultants team (although you will see whoever is on duty, and at the weekend that may mean someone more junior)

All of these may require you to wait until a specific individual (MW or Dr) finishes dealing with emergency cases - but better to sit around for a couple of hours and get an answer you can believe in than keep feeling fobbed off.

'I would feel like an idiot saying "yeah he's moving but it's not the same so I know something is wrong".'
By being aware of your DS's movements and being aware things have changed you are being incredibly aware and sensible. You are NOT an idiot. You are acting on changes that you have noticed, and doing so has the potential to save your DS's life! (Maybe change it to you "think" rather than you "know", though :))

Please keep getting checked until you are happy - either that they are investigating further or that you understand why the change in movements should not concern you.

[Tangle]

I would go and ask for them to monitor (for as long as possible)
I would ask for them to confirm in writing that there is no evidence of decels on the trace at any point in that time or any other cause for concern.
If they are not prepared to do that, ask what else they can do.

They may not have appointments in the radiology department until Wed, but they will almost certainly have a mobile scanner and someone who can operate it. I got sent in with DD1 to check position and this is what they used. I wound up in isolation with DD2 and they brought a mobile scanner to me (at 4am). I would be amazed if they have an operational maternity unit, including consultant led L&D, and they don't have a scanner they can do a quick check with 24/7.