Patterns for baby's kicks.

[Koalafications]

I posted this on another thread but its going to be deleted so...

At what point do the kicks start to follow a pattern? As in when is it a worry to stop feeling the baby move?

I'm going to phone the maternity unit in the morning but just wanted to know in the meantime if its 'normal' not to feel the baby kicking for a few days at 19 weeks?

Am I right to assume it takes a while to settle into a pattern?

[Dogsmom]

I'm no expert at all and am sure someone will be along soon with proper medical information but I think they say to start counting the kicks around 26 - 28 weeks and at 19 weeks it's been normal in both my pregnancies to not feel regular movements for a few days.

Once mine were bigger I have noticed a definite pattern, I don't feel many movements at all during the day but once I settle on the settee around tea time there are frequent, regular movements, I can also wake them up with a loud noise.

[leanne963]

I am 21 weeks and had movements since 18w5d! Some days she can be really quiet and just when I am about to panic I will get a swift prod. Maybe eat some chocolate and sit slouchy(don't know why but I can always feel her kick when I slouch) and see if you can feel anything, even a flutter. But if not then yeah, give the maternity unit a call and see what they say! I understand the anxiety though it is stressful!

I saw your post in the 'troll' thread so I didn't bother commenting so glad you created this thread :)

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Hi Koala I replied on the other thread but it was a few posts down and like you said it got deleted (was going to search for you so am glad you started thread) Have a look at count the kicks website - they have loads of info and a Facebook page (I'm assuming they'll answer questions there).

I didn't feel lots at 19 weeks but did around 26 weeks when baby is getting bigger in a confined space. During all my pg babies were active when I ate, in the bath, and definitely in bed (so more evening/night) Also if in doubt don't worry about ringing MW - and more than once if you're worried!

[Koalafications]

Thanks both.

I will call the maternity unit. I wasn't worried until someone linked to the 'count the kicks' thread which said not to rely on fetal dopplers and that is what had reassured me, as I could hear the baby's heartbeat.

[Koalafications]

Thanks that I missed your post as the thread was deleted when I next went to it.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

Some people don't even feel kicks at 19 weeks. At that gestation baby is still small enough that he/she can move around and no longer be in a position that you can feel anything. I felt kicks with my DD from 17 weeks but nothing 'regular' until about 24 weeks. Having said that, if you are worried then definitely give your midwife a call. They would rather see/speak to you and reassure you than have you sitting at home worrying. Hope all is ok.

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Ditto.

No problem, I've called mat unit on and evening/during the night before so don't be put off that it's not office hours iykwim.

[Koalafications]

My midwife has specifically told me to call my GP/hospital if I have any concerns and to only call her if I need to re arrange one of our appointments.

The number I have is open business hours only. I can call the labour line as they are 24 hours but that seems a bit much.

I'm going to try and not worry too much, though.

Thanks for the posts,

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

When she says hospital does she mean 'labour line'? I'm assuming the LL is the tel number for the mat unit which I'd assume it's fine to call them (we're allowed to call that as an out of hours number in my area).

As got said 19 weeks theres still plenty room to not feel definite kicks - I know from recently as DS1 was desperate to feel his baby sibling's kicks and at 19 weeks he was still disappointed!

[Koalafications]

No, she means the assessment unit who are only open business hours. I only looked at my notes to check that there wasn't another out of hours service but there is only the labour line and I don't want to call them.

I'm slightly reassured because I don't think its normal to feel kicks all the time at 19w, but I dont want to convince myself its fine if it isn't, IYKWIM.

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

I'd still call the LL if you're really worried now or further on about kicks or anything where you feel you can't wait til morning.

Iykwim, from my experience 19 weeks is still early days but you don't want to be complacent.

[Eltonjohnsflorist]

I hadn't felt proper kicks at all by that point- only fizzing. I would call them tomorrow, I'm sure they'll be happy to check the heartbeat for you but try not to worry, it's early days to expect regular kicks.

Even now (28 weeks) baby is still for a good few hours at a time and sometimes only has a couple of kicking sessions a day. I don't think mine kicks much when it's asleep and they sleep most of the time at your stage.

Labour ward def won't mind checking though.

[squizita]

Count the kicks have their own website with what to expect when. I used to rely on thar when pregnant. And got flamed for reassuring others as if I was being lax by people who thought patterns started weeknow 14 or something.
Last year it suggested regular pattern movement was usually established by 28 weeks with daily movement by 24 weeks.

At 19 weeks there is space for the tiny fetus to hide away for hours or even a day or two. Indeed some women haven't felt anything yet. However if YOU are worried ring your local maternity ward or the ante natal helpline for your area ...Most likely they will reassure you at this stage. But if they are concerned a scan can be quickly arranged.

And never rely on a home doppler. My consultant's trainee confused my placenta beating for my baby (in a routine check I hasten to add) so a non professional definitely could. Also the hb might be going well in an older baby but there be too little fluid etc ... If in doubt contact maternity!

At 19 weeks however, it is very likely a healthy fetus is lurking at the back of the womb so can't be felt.

[squizita]

Once baby gets bigger, drinking a cold drink and lying on your left side breathing calmly usually helps to feel kicks if you are worried.
I had a Count The Kicks band and this helped me monitor things too.

[Koalafications]

That's a really helpful post squizita thank you.

[Koalafications]

Thanks for the advice, all.

Phoned the midwife team today and they were lovely. I was given an appointment this evening, and they listened to the baby's heartbeat and have said everything is fine. Apparently the baby is hiding at the back and that's why I can't feel much movement.

The NHS are brilliant, really.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

Glad all is ok Koala . The NHS are indeed fab. I am 15 weeks and has some fairly heavy bleeding yesterday, phoned the midwife and have an appt at the EPU this morning.

[Eltonjohnsflorist]

Hope all is ok gottobeinit.
Glad you were ok koala

[Koalafications]

Thank you, GotToBe and Eltonjohn

Hope you and baby are ok GotToBe.

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Hi Koala good to hear you got checked out with no fuss and baby was just being an elusive tinker

[Koalafications]

Thank you thatwoudbe I was very relieved.

(Great name by the way, I love Father Ted)

[blackwidow74]

You can call gp at any time for a heartbeat check and are worried :) they say not to monitor until 28 weeks as baby still has the room to move around. I'm 26 weeks and sometimes my little one hides behind my (anterior) placenta and I can't feel a thing ... scary ... but usually a glass of pure orange will get her wriggling where I can feel it again ... even at 26 weeks the trace machine can be ineffective as they are still able to move away from it hence the 28 week rule I think ... hope your little ones stop worrying you all soon :)