Experiences of induction/section at almost 39 weeks - reduced movements

[bluesky45]

Hi, I'm currently 38+5. Since Saturday (38+2) baby has had reduced movements. I went in on Sunday, heartrate etc was fine but as I still felt movements were reduced we were booked in for a scan on Monday.

On Monday, we had the scan, all looked fine. Movements still reduced so sent back up to triage to be monitored again. Again, monitor showed heart rate fine and some movements although did appear less on the monitor, kept me on longer, gave me a cold drink, made me really focus on them. Dr came in to discuss induction, said it's up to me as heart rate etc is fine but I'm still reporting reduced movements.

So we booked in for induction on Thursday (39weeks) with the option to cancel if movements pick back up. Was also given a sweep and told 1cm and she could break my waters if she wanted to. This was yesterday.

Went home last night and movements picked back up. I also had contractions fairly strongly for an hour and a half, every 4-5mins for around 1min. Phoned birth centre and they said can come in if wanted or can see how things go. Opted to see how things go so as not to have to get someone round to look after my ds if it was nothing. Tidied up the house just in case and went to bed. Contractions stopped. Tried sex. Did nothing.

Then to this morning, slept Ok last night. Currently no contractions and movements have yet again stopped or very much reduced.

Do I wait it out? Do I go back in and be monitored again?
Do I go for the induction on Thursday? I'm worried about induction being more painful etc than spontaneous labour. Also worried about not progressing and needing a c section. How would I be able to handle recovery and an 18month old? Also worried about it taking a long time and being away from ds for so long. He's never had a night away from us before although loves visiting his grandparents and does this on his own for a full day at least twice a week, depending on my work (part time).

Would love any advice or experiences of induction or if c section recovery or anything.

Hopeful bump for some advice!

If movements have reduced go back in today for monitoring. If you are concerned or they are I would take there advice and go with the induction. But best to go in & get checked first then make a plan with the doctor in triage.

Go in. It's not worth the risk.

I agree with previous posters, go on. It's really not worth risking it.

Good luck x

Always go in - I had a few episodes between 30 and 37 weeks and they induced me at 37+1 after the 4th visit. I am very glad they did as he continued to struggle during induction before I was even in proper labour. The reduced movements were obviously him wanting to come out.

I ended up with an emergency section but it was incredibly calm and a very ‘enjoyable’ experience. Baby was 6lb6oz and was perfectly happy once out!

They were always lovely to me about it and it’s just not worth the risk. 😀 good luck x

Also, he was my first, I had a very good recovery (and am considered ‘older’ By nhs standards). Take it easy while you can but get moving a little as soon as you can. Take all the painkillers they offer you 😀 I went into surgery Sunday at around mid night and was home Tuesday 6pm.

If your cervix is already favourable, which it sounds like it is, then induction can be pretty quick.

I was induced at 38 weeks due to reduced movements. Once my waters where broken labour was about 10hrs in total, and I managed it all on gas & air. Did need ventouse but that’s down to my physiology and that DD was coming out face first.

Induction doesn’t equal a bad labour every time.

Go back in now if you haven’t already. Reduced movements should always be checked out. I’m sure your ds will be perfectly happy with grandparents, it’s normally is mums who are more nervous than our children with them staying away overnight.
Just yourself checked and trust your instincts

With first dd i was induced at 39 weeks as labour had started but waters hadnt went and baby was barely moving.i ended up with c section with second dd i had a planned c section recovery was excellent and i was out to dd1 who was only 19 months at time and had never been away from me but she coped well x

Thanks for all the messages, movements have gone back to normal again so waiting it out at home. Will go on tomorrow if reduced again as seems a lot of days of reduced movements then. Definitely going to get the induction on Thursday as would rather have baby out at this stage.
I had similar with ds, reduced movements at 40+4, monitoring and sweep that evening started things off and he was born the next morning but did require resuscitation and NICU so I worry the reduced movements were him saying he was unhappy in there.
Fingers crossed everything continues as normal tonight and tomorrow but I'm pretty sure induction is right for us now, even if just to ease my anxiety (although incredibly anxious about induced birth or section now too, I guess its just the unknown!)

I had induction for reduced movements/bigger baby at 38+2. Was pretty similar to my first spontaneous birth although I guess that I was more aware of labour hurting because I wasn't in the car or doing the long transfer between MLU and consultant led but could actually think about how much it hurt. Only needed the gel to get things going - waters went spontaneously and needed ventouse similar to my first.

My hind waters went 11 days before birth and reduced movements I am sure indicated unhappiness

By the time I got checked and they found it was water I had an induction booked, but went into labour that day.

Baby was having trouble and ended up in NICU for 7 days.

Have the induction

Absolutely always go in, and ask for a full blood flow scan - it's not enough to just hear the heartbeat.

@bluesky please go back in - a few days of reduced movements but then a spurt isn't necessarily reassuring - have they down the scan which follows the flows of oxygen through the umbilical cord?
I'm sorry, I don't want to scare you, but if I'd had that scan when my DDs movements had decreased (at 37.5) then my daughter might have survived.
The anxiety of an early induction or c-section is absolutely and utterly easier than the potential alternative.

I was induced at 39 weeks (due to growth restriction) and it was a bit of a long process but absolutely fine - got an epidural, pushed baby out without assistance, both healthy. You hear a lot of negative induction stories, but they are not all that way!

Good luck whatever happens x

@rainbowmum1 so sorry to hear of your experiences. My thoughts are with you.

We have had the scan and they checked blood flow through the cord which was fine, placenta function which was fine, growth which was 7lb3 estimated at 38+4 and saw movements on the scan.

I'm going to take the induction on Thursday. I've now lost my plug so I'm hopeful that things might get going of their own accord before induction but going to take it anyway if they haven't. I just want him out where he can be properly monitored if needed now. Keeping a close eye on movements today which do seem a more back to normal and prepared to go back in for more monitoring later.

Thanks for all your experiences and advice. I'll try to remember to update the thread in case it helps anyone else any time.

Just an update, we went for the induction on Thursday. From first pessary to baby took 5 and a half hours, quite similar birth to my first although slightly quicker and the pain was more intense! Baby is absolutely fine now he's here, no idea why there was reduced movements on and off for 6 days beforehand. Thanks for all your advice and support on this thread.

Congratulations! Glad all is well!