Conflicting information on baby movement...?

[squirrelnutkins1]

Does anyone get confused with the conflicting info out there?

I ended up in the pregnancy assessment unit today due to reduced movements. All the info I've heard is to get checked straight away if movements reduce, which is fine but the midwife today said it's normal for baby to have quiet days. Anyone else heard this?

[Pink15]

I think she was trying to reassure you probably as you'd attended the hospital - not saying that you shouldn't have come and got assessed. I reckon most people who attend with reduced movements turn out okay and so is "just a quiet day" but defo better to be sure if that makes sense? :)

[Zara1234uk]

No I absolutely don’t think that’s correct for her to be advising that! Did you get her name? I would perhaps report this to another midwife at the hospital so she can be educated on giving out correct information. Your baby should follow it’s normal pattern of movement and any reduction reported and investigated (like you did!) how many weeks are you? I know they sometimes advise this at the beginning as it can be sporadic but not later on. It is confusing though, as one tends to take you seriously and another won’t, very frustrating.

[mable88]

There’s a lot of differing advice out there but I was told when I went in that’s it’s always worth going on and getting checked; the midwives would rather you came in and there wasn’t a problem! Depending on how many weeks you are, baby can still have lots of room to tuck themselves away, I have an anterior placenta which can muffle movements and if they are turned away from your stomach towards your back then you might not feel the movements either! Basically there is a whole heap of non-sinister reasons why you might not feel movements but it’s always best to go and get checked if you are worried. From my own experience, my baby definitely has had some days that are quieter than others. They do say that baby doesn’t really have much of a pattern before 28 weeks, so it’s harder to tell before then if it’s out of the ordinary.

[ELW85]

I was told the same thing but was in PAU about 4 times when I was pregnant as he kept having quiet days.
I’m sure she meant they’re just like us; some days hectic, some chilled. If ever in doubt; go in!

[sel2223]

Both are correct actually, it's true that baby's do have quieter days (especially before 28 weeks)....just have a look through the many, many previous threads on here regarding movement and you will see how many women have been concerned and been checked out and baby has been absolutely fine

HOWEVER

You know your body and your baby better than anyone and, rarely, a change in movements can be an indication that something is wrong. It is always better to be safe than sorry and MAU will never make you feel like a nuisance for going to get checked out. Trust your gut, if something doesn't seem right, call them.

[squirrelnutkins1]

I'm 33 weeks with an anterior placenta. This is my first baby, following an early mc last year.
She was lovely and I didn't feel a nuisance or anything, I just feel a bit like well what's correct then?
She described quiet days like we'd have a lazy day and then next we might have more energy.
I was very concerned as the movement wasn't the same as usual, I'm normally up most of then night with movement but she barely moved last night and I stayed awake to see if she would move but there was only slight movement, same this morning.
I'm glad I got checked and I feel happier but just a bit confused, seems conflicting.

[ELW85]

@squirrelnutkins1 - I totally get why you’d feel like that especially after all you’ve been through.
I had an anterior placenta but got told once you feel them moving regularly, that shouldn’t be a reason to not feel them.
If it’s any reassurance, once I got to around 32 weeks my movements changed a bit. They didn’t qualify that with any reasoning so don’t listen when people say they move less in the last few weeks, but the movements DID slightly change for me.
If you’re ever in doubt, go in. Especially at the late stage when the placenta is aged, but I’m pleased you’re fine!

[Pinkblueberry]

I think she was just giving you some reassurance. I wouldn’t read into what she said as conflicting advice.

[krankykittykat]

Get a kick counter app

[Bekka94]

@Zara1234uk she doesn't need to report her midwife at all as the advice given is correct babies do have quiet days especially with an anterior placenta. Instead of suggesting a professional be retrained you should maybe do your research before being so dramatic.

Babies movements with anterior placenta are sometimes very hard to keep count on no matter how far along you are! Your MW was simply reassuring you shes not conflicting anything OP as what she's told you is correct and there is absolutely no harm doing what you did either and popping in to double check x

[squirrelnutkins1]

Baby's movement has been fine ever since so that's good. I think I'll just keep an eye on things and if I'm in doubt I'll give them a call. It didn't seem a problem at all me going to get checked. I'm obviously new to all this and with my mc last year I'm more nervous than I may have been without having one (maybe) but as long as all is well with my babe then I'm happy. Thanks for your replies.

[sarahc336]

You did the right thing going in, no one should ever take a risk with reduced movements and midwives saying things like this is how women end up feeling like it'll just be fine he's just having a quiet day when there is an actual problem, hope you ok xx

[FoxtrotSkarloey]

I find the whole kicks things adds to the stress. I tend to only feel kicks when I'm sitting still or lying down. Not always, but what I mean is never if I am walking around.
I keep being told I should have an idea of the baby's routine by now (28 weeks) but each of my days are different so I haven't got a clue about the baby's movements. Also nothing I eat or drink seems to trigger movement. All I know is I had the same in my last pregnancy and was so concerned towards the end that I ended up in hospital three times for monitoring in the last two weeks before DS was born during what should have been my enjoyable restful time.
Sorry that's not helpful, but basically, I don't know what anyone is supposed to actually do. Never actually had constructive guidance from a mw on it. I don't seem to fit their textbooks.

[Superscientist]

I would read that as keep an eye out for reduced movements but don't get panicked if you do have reduced movements as they are probably just having a lazy day. Still get checked out one way or another as they can distinguish the difference between quiet day and something wrong better than we can.

[Cherryrainbow]

If it feels different to normal certainly worth getting it checked out. Everyone's is different so get used to your baby's patterns.
My little one seems more active later in the day and at night, and sometimes kick the hell out of me, other times it feels more like waves like she's having a good time with somersaults.
Try not to panic. Sometimes if you are concerned, things like shining a bright light on bump or drinking/eating something cold can get them moving depending how far along you are as they react more to light sounds and stuff as they develop x

[Jupiter15]

I don’t think she was saying you shouldn’t have gone in, she was just trying to explain why baby might have been quieter that day.
She should have backed up what she said by saying even though babies can have quieter days you should always get checked if you feel baby isn’t moving as normal.

[squirrelnutkins1]

I don't think I was being told not to go in either. I just wondered what people had heard regarding movement. I was just confused, not pointing the finger.

[Itsnoteasyfeelingqueasy]

@FoxtrotSkarloey my baby sounds like yours! Midwifes always ask if she’s moving. I always doubt myself as she doesn’t move much really, maybe three times a day I’ll feel her move but more a rolling feeling than kicks. I’m 36 weeks pregnant now and have regular growth scans which reassure me she’s fine. It feels so much emphasis is placed on the babies movement it definitely has worried me that mine doesn’t move a lot but I’m getting to know her now and trust she will move at some point each day x

[Grandmi]

My daughter had an anterior placenta with her baby...she actually went for days without feeling any kicks/movements!! She was assessed regularly and was never made to feel a nuisance !! Go in as many times as necessary to reassure you X