Baby movements

[Lilylove2]

I'm 24 weeks pregnant and yesterday I noticed my baby's movements were much less than usual. I went to maternity assessment and the midwife listened to the heartbeat with a Doppler, timed it and said it was normal. She could also feel the baby moving while she was examining my tummy, so I was reassured and sent home.

Overnight I felt a few little rolls, but this morning the movements are still nowhere near what they usually are. Not absent, just definitely much less than normal for my baby.

Has anyone else had this? Did your baby's movements just change around this stage, or did you end up needing further checks? I'm trying not to overthink it after being reassured yesterday, but it's still worrying me that the movements haven't gone back to what they normally are.

I believe that you can only reliably track baby movements from 26-28 weeks. I think it’s because they change positions a lot prior to that and their position impacts how much you can feel the kicks.

Have you read the guidance on MAMA or count the kicks websites?

Its a bit early to have a reliable pattern with baby as they're still small enough to hide away.

I think it's about week 30 ish that movements become a bit more regular.

I would try and relax, the rolling you felt overnight was probably baby moving into your back so you won't feel the kicks until the roll back over again.

I was never convinced my 2nds movements where ok. He was born at 31 weeks when my blood pressure went out of control.

i think at 24 weeks there is not a lot they can do. The baby monitor machine would not be accurate. I've met a few parents of 24/25/26 week babies and their births all involve something catastrophic like waters breaking not slowing down movement. It's very important you keep monitoring the movements and get in touch with maternity services if they don't increase.

Ah OP, I know this worry well. When I was pregnant with DD I was in and out of triage for reduced fetal movement. Mine started a little bit further on than you are now and I was told there’s not much they can do but they would check heartbeat at that stage. After that, I must have had about 5-6 more trips right up until I was full term. Everything was always absolutely fine (and my anterior placenta wasn’t helping) but I’d just say every time you’re worried, call up your midwife/triage. It’s better to have that reassurance. I know how worrying it can be but I’m sure all is fine. I took a lot of comfort from reading about similar experiences on MN