No kicking - should I be worried...

[ruthietoothie]

Hi,

I'm 23 weeks pregnant and baby been kicking really regularly, especially over last week or so. Since yesterday though I don't think I've felt it move at all and am starting to worry a bit. I've also got tightness in my tummy and the ocassional cramping (but that's been going on for quite a few days now)

Any advice?

[belindarose]

Ring delivery suite. They should have you in for monitoring. DD started leaping around the instant I was hooked up to the machine. try not to worry, but ring now.

[moregranny]

Please go and get checked out.

[Newmom2b]

Try not to worry but I would ring your midwife for advise and they will probably ask you to come in for monitoring. I used to get days where the baby was much quieter and then other days when he's kicking non stop. I'm 32 weeks now and still worry about how much i'm feeling him move i think its natural. Have you had a busy day - I sometimes feel that I dont feel him moving in the daytime when I'm really busy at work but as soon as I find time to sit down and relax I feel movement... Hope all is well, i'm sure it it - let us know x

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Any change in movement should be checked out straightaway. It could be nothing but you still need to get it checked.

[scarlettlips]

Hi Ruthie

Please call your midwife or the ring delivery suite ASAP. They will have you in very quickly.

I also had days when DD was not as kicky..but silly you can't help but worry.

Please keep us updated. {{hugs}}

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Ruthie have you called your MW or the hospital yet? If so, what have they said?

[ruthietoothie]

Thanks for the advice. I was trying not to panic, and worry the MW unnecessarily. I've not called yet and thought about waiting till mid-morning to see if I feel any movement....

I'm not actually in my home town at the moment so wouldn't be able to go and see my regular mw in anycase.

Thanks for the advice though and will keep you posted

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

ruthie if you have a change in movements you won't worrying the MW unnecessarily, that's what they are there for.

Even if you aren't in your hometown I would call your MW now and see what she says.

There is some more information on movements with Count the Kicks.

[pozzled]

Don't wait, give them a call now. The likelihood is that everything is absolutely fine- at 23 weeks they can still move into a position where you don't feel them as much. But a change in movements definitely needs checking. The MWs are very used to it, and would always rather monitor someone than potentially miss a problem.

[CBear6]

Please do phone them, you won't be worrying them or being a bother. My MW has told me they'd rather see 100 worried mums with healthy babies than miss the one mum who needed their help.

[ruthietoothie]

Thanks all! Tried to call MW but no answer... Will keep trying

[pozzled]

If you're away from home, you could always try contacting the local maternity unit- they might be able to hook you up to a monitor for a while. Have you felt any movements since you first posted?

[TheOriginalFAB]

I really wish peopl,e would stop worrying about disturbing the midwives unnecessarily. This is your BABBY. It is the midwives job to look after you and if you don't go because of disturbing and the baby is in trouble then that is with you forever. The midweive is irrelevant.

Go and get checked out now.

[MmeLindor.]

Go and get checked out. It is probably nothing but baby just being less active, but for your peace of mind it is better to get hooked up to a monitor.

If you cannot reach your midwife, pop along to the local maternity hospital and ask them to scan you.

[TheOriginalFAB]

people and BABY is what I meant.

[stripeybump]

Everybody is different, but I'm 22 wks and having lots of movements - I still have the occasional day when there's little or no movement, particularly when I'm out and about. If you can, nip to Starbucks, find a sofa and try having an icy cold drink and lying flat on your back - that's my fail-safe to get him doing a dance!

If your gut feeling is that something is wrong however, of course you should call the midwives.

[ruthietoothie]

I think I've felt the odd little twinge since first posting which is reassuring me... Keeping trying MW though, just to raise it as issue. I was told at 20 week scan that placenta lying directly below stomach so may not feel kicks so much...

What was (is) worrying is that was loads of activity over past few days and then nothing most recently. But seems to be beginning to make its presence known a bit now

[Crosshair]

Hope everythings ok and you get some peace of mind.

[icravecheese]

Sounds like you have anterior placenta (which lies on top of baby, directly beneath your skin, so forms a cushion when baby kicks you). I have this too this pregnancy, and I have to admit I really had to concentrate on feeling movement around the 20-24wk mark. At my 20wk scan, baby was kicking away on screen, but I couldnt feel a darn thing!!

To reassure, baby could have totally moved position & so you now can't feel a thing (whereas you could before). Not to say don't get checked out, but perhaps do some crawling around on all fours for a while, drink ice cold water, and see what happens whilst you're waiting to get through to midwife. Little monkey is probably just hiding somewhere in there, happy as can be :)

[MmeLindor.]

this website gives good advice

[ruthietoothie]

thanks crosshair and icrave cheese. I spoke to midwife and they told me not to worry. Given me an appointment for a week's time but (obviously) if I don't feel movement again before then I'll get in touch....

I think I'm naturally pessimistic and that tends to make me worry more easily, but trying to look on positive and stay calm!! just so want everything to be ok!!

[MmeLindor.]

Ruthie
Have a look at the website I linked to and start counting the kicks - it will give you something solid to point at. And if you are worried then go to the hospital. You are not wasting resources or taking up anyone's time. Your health and that of your baby is more important. Good luck.

[ruthietoothie]

MmeLindor - I've looked at that website (thanks) but it does say about counting kicks from 28 weeks or so, and I'm only at 23 (24 tomorrow :)

If I don't feel a bit of movement though in next few hours will follow it up with hospital I reckon - thanks

[MmeLindor.]

That is the normal recommendation, but you can start counting the kicks earlier.

What you are looking for is a change in pattern - so if your baby is normally pretty active at a certain time of the day, and this changes then it is good to be checked out.

Have you done the drinking cup of cold juice, and jiggling your tummy? If you don't feel much movement in the next couple of hours and this is different to the normal pattern, then pop to the hospital.

I know that we are often reluctant to do this, as we feel daft when the doctor says, "everything is absolutely fine" - and if your baby is anything like my DC, will start to do somersaults the second the doc starts scanning - but it is better to get it checked out.

It is good preparation for motherhood when you take a poorly child to the doc and they perk up as soon as you get to the surgery. :)

[CrazyAlien06]

I had the same thing at 23 weeks and when I rang my hospital they said they won't have me in as it's too early to feel lots of regular movements so recommended me to see gp for hb check. I didnt , just used the Doppler I had at home and all was ok.
Am now 33+ 3 and feeling lots of movements was expecting him/her to slow down as they run out of room but appears not at the mo!