Reduced Foetal Movement

[Celticlassie]

Am a little concerned about the 'reduced' part. My baby moved an awful lot early this week - constant kicks, twists and turns. However, yesterday it was much quieter, still moving but gentler kicks, turning less often, etc. So far today I've felt a couple of light kicks but not much else.

NHS advice is to have something to eat, have a cold drink, and I've done that, which prompted the gentle kicks I mentioned before. So I am feeling some foetal movement, but still reduced from early in the week. So should I worry and do something about it? Wait another hour? I've sent my DH to work as there's no point in us both sitting about worrying, but as baby is moving - is there anything to worry about??
TIA

[basicdetailss]

How many weeks gestation are you?
Any change of movement should be checked out. My advise is to contact your maternity triage asap.

[Celticlassie]

Oops - should probably have mentioned that - I'm 32 weeks.

[Afreshstartplease]

Baby could just be in a different position so your not feeling as much but you are worried so get checked out

[Borntoflyinfirst]

Phone your midwife. They won't mind. Get checked and put your mind at rest.

[bingandabong]

Call your midwife, it's prob all fine but they will monitor you just to make sure..look at kickcount website..please don't delay and call your midwife/hospital whoever..a quick check to ease your mind X

[Cupcakey]

Definitely go and get checked the triage unit at my local hospital said to me to always come and get checked they would rather check you and give you the all clear than you sit at home worrying. Hope you are ok xx

[MrsGsnow18]

This is something I worry about too. I was told at my last appointment to try keep a count/record of the movements. I felt like my baby was getting a lot less active but I am still feeling movements. It would be worth getting it checked out if you are worried and especially if movement has dramatically reduced.
Some people have said though that as weeks go on and baby is bigger there is less room for them to move around as much.

[basicdetailss]

Mrs G that's not true at all.

[EdenX]

32 weeks with reduced movement, you really need to get checked.

[MTMFH]

Any change in movement, I would say phone your midwife or maternity unit. They never mind checking, I found, and it'll put your mind at ease.

[EdenX]

If you wait for the baby to stop moving entirely, then it could be too late.

[Mungobungo]

Any change in the usual pattern of your baby's movement MUST be checked out. Chances are that you'll get to hospital and the moment you're on the monitor, the little monster will wriggle about - but that's better than worrying about it a thing home and is far better than not getting checked and something being wrong with baby.

When we aren't well we move less (think of when you've had flu, you stay in bed or veg on the sofa), babies are the same. Well babies follow their normal pattern. Don't count kicks-that's outdated advice, same as the advice that babies slow down - they don't.

Don't arse around phoning your names community midwife, phone the hospital directly, either triage or delivery suite - whichever number you have on your notes - and get seen please OP!

Midwives do not mind having you in and monitored, they DO mind when you haven't had movement for days and haven't said anything, because then it could be too late.

[Helbelle75]

This happened to me and the midwives were lovely, I went in for monitoring and baby had moved position. They were picking up movements on the monitor but I couldn't really reel them.
I was 31 weeks and they said I was absolutely right to go in.
Ring your antenatal unit and get some reassurance.

[bingandabong]

MrsG that's incorrect outdated information, kickcount is a charity getting woman to understand the babies patten of movement and if you feel reduced to get checked out, most of the time as soon as you get hooked up to the monitor the little one will be wriggling around loads...

[bonzo77]

Get checked. Now. I'm fairly certain that I have 3 live children because I reported reduced movements. There were significant undiagnosed issues with my first (the other 2 had problems, but they'd be anticipated).

[passingthrough1]

Get checked BUT in meantime don't worry too much, at 32 weeks chances are the baby has turned head down, it's about 32 weeks they do permanently (usually) turn. Where your placenta is, what direction the baby is kicking (ie are they back to back and kicking forward or facing back and kicking back) will have a massive effect.
With me I very much felt the baby turn and thereafter kicks felt very different.

[bobbis]

I would go get it checked, rather safe than sorry. I had similar on Wednesday (I'm 35 weeks)....moved loads at 1pm, then barely anything all afternoon. I could still feel her but small rare movements. Got to after dinner when she usually goes crazy and still the same thing.
I phoned the hospital explaining and I ended up in triage that evening being monitored. They were happy with her and I came back in the next day for a scan and a follow up CTG yesterday.

It will put your mind at rest and they won't ever think you're being silly. Hope everything is okay

[Celticlassie]

Thanks ladies! I'm going to head to the hospital now, just for a check. Hate feeling like 'one of those' mothers - would you guess this is my first time?? But I'll worry myself sick otherwise.

Wouldn't you know the wee monkey moved while I was on the phone? But still worth a check.

[sarahbanshee]

Yes, get checked out. May well be nothing but there is a small chance this is a warning sign of a problem - which can be sorted with medical attention. Midwife/hospital will not mind at all, they know the advice is that reduced movement should be checked.

[DropZoneOne]

Another call to please go and get seen. My DD is here today because I did exactly this.
The doctor actually said thank you for coming in.

You won't be wasting anyone's time.

[NoThighGap]

DS is alive and well because I went in with reduced foetal movements just under 32 weeks. 3 hours later born by crash section, had haemoglobin of 4 (normal above about 16 for tiny baby), very anaemic. Ventilated, on NICU and transfused. Now 4 months old (2 corrected) and all is well. I almost left it overnight to see how it went. He wouldn't be here if I had and I still get teary just typing that.

[DropZoneOne]

Glad to see your update! Doesn't matter if this is your first baby or your 6th, every baby is different and a change in movement should always be checked. Hope all will be well x

[bingandabong]

Keep us updated OP.. Glad you're getting checked

[Celticlassie]

All fine. Good heartbeat and plenty of movement while I was on the monitor. Felt a bit daft but that's far preferable to the alternative! Thanks for everyone's fast responses.

[fabulous01]

Absolutely never feel daft. I was a regular and I don't regret any of the extra observations.