Change in movement - only 19+4 though

[NorthernGirlie]

Hi All

Just after a little reassurance as I'm driving myself crazy. I've been feeling flutters and bubbles for the past 2 or 3 weeks - mainly after drinking fizzy pop or in the evening when I'm relaxed. However - the last few days / evenings I've felt nothing.

Trying not to panic as I know some people don't feel anything until week 22 (I've also got some padding - I'm a size 16) and wondered if that made a difference?

We've got our 20 week scan on Friday and I'm panicking a little that it's going to show a problem!

Anyone experienced this??

[naomi79]

I wouldn't worry too much at that stage baby has alot of space to get lost in so it is quite common not to feel it, you couldtry an ice cold drink, lying flat on your back and something sugary these can all help make baby wriggle!! hope you're reassured soon and good luck with your scan

[NorthernGirlie]

Thanks - I thought so but you know how it is!! Really appreciate the answer :)

[fuckityfuckfuckfuck]

I'm 18 weeks and seem to have gone from not being sure I feel anything at all to feeling some proper wallops. I find it I lean forward on the sofa (or on the swings this morning ) I get a good kick as I must be squishing them a bit! I still can't really believe it's big enough to kick yet, I am a size 10-12, third baby and still not really showing. Where am I keeping it??

[UnDeadDolly]

Same here! I am 19+4 with DC2 today, baby was wriggling like a nutter the night before last and yesterday, but haven't felt anything since yesterday afternoon... Am not overly worried but it is off putting isn't it.
I actually have a doppler at home, cost about £20 on Ebay and is great for reassurance at times like these. I am at work today so will have a quick check in tonight!

[NorthernGirlie]

Hmmm - think I may invest in a doppler - looking now :)

[LoveInAColdGrave]

I have the same thing - 18+5, had been feeling wriggles, but nothing the last few days. Phoned midwife yesterday, left a message and she never called back, so called GP today who said phone midwife again - I have left her another message but still no call bac.

I'm sure the baby's just moved into a new position, but can't help feeling anxious. 20 week scan a week today but worried something may be wrong... perhaps I should also invest in a doppler...

[ShowOfHands]

You of course must get checked out if you're worried BUT at that stage of pregnancy you expect to have periods where you feel less/nothing as the baby is still small relative to the size of your uterus and is quite able to tuck itself away behind your pubic bone. I could feel dc2 from 14 weeks and had lots of days where he hid away and I couldn't feel him and then days from around 16 weeks when I could see my stomach moving then hours later, nothing. They don't expect you to note a pattern until around 28 weeks.

A word about dopplers though. They do not replace antenatal care. They are a bit of fun, no more, no less. You use them knowing a few things...

1. The presence of a heartbeat means merely the presence of a heartbeat. If you are experiencing any kind of change of movement, bleeding, pain, basically anything you would worry about, the doppler is not the thing to reach for. You reach for the phone instead.
   

1. Only use it if you are prepared for the fact that sometimes you may hear nothing, having heard something only the day before. You need to be able to walk away and accept it's just tough sometimes, not panic and worry.
   

1. Midwives are starting to move away from using dopplers at all in routine care as they are not in any way a diagnostic tool. Does raise some questions about whether women should use them at home I suppose.
   

I only used a doppler in the time between my 12 week scan and feeling movement with dd as I'd had a lot of bleeding, a previous miscarriage and I found it enormously reassuring to hear something going on in there.

[LoveInAColdGrave]

Thanks, SOH, that's reassuring. I also have an anterior placenta, so it's possible that the baby is just directing all its movements towards the front so I can't feel them...

[ShowOfHands]

Oh yes. Placenta was anterior with dd and she could hide brilliantly at times. I was in a state most days until she was big enough not to hide.