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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

22 wks+ a few days, baby isn't moving as much as before. Please tell me to get a grip.

16 replies

Yukana · 10/04/2011 16:46

Just a bit of background information, this is my first baby and I do have an anxiety disorder so don't be afraid to tell me I'm worrying too much! I'm more than aware I do that a lot. :)

I'll try to explain this as well as I can, but basically the baby used to kick me a hell of a lot between I'd say... 20-21 weeks, she'd give very strong kicks every now and then multiple times a day, and I knew very well she was there, she wouldn't stop kicking! Now I'm almost at 23 weeks, she seems to have calmed down a lot, only kicks me sometimes, but definitely not as much as before. I listened to her heartbeat last night and her heart is beating away, so I know she's there. But she only gives a few kicks a day now, is this normal? I've had an appointment with my midwife a few days ago, she said baby is all good and fine.

Someone please tell me to get a grip and stop worrying. And get off my arse to tidy the house more.

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StiffyByng · 10/04/2011 17:57

Poor you, being a worrier is made so much worse by pregnancy.

The most helpful thing I've been told (as a fellow worrier) is that you're looking for an average of ten kicks in 24 hours. Most days you will have far more than that. The baby changes position at 23 weeks and could easily be kicking away madly and you're just not feeling it.

But also, trust your instinct. If you are really convinced there's a problem, go and get it checked out. No one will mind. I was treated with great kindness the one time it got too much for me (we'd had a gas leak).

And go outside and enjoy the sunshine! No house tidying.

Original poster

Yukana · 10/04/2011 18:02

Thank you for the advice. I find it amusing in a sense that after worrying myself to the point of making this topic, the baby starts kicking (my bladder, of course) wildly and I now need to go to the loo. She's still kicking away and I feel so relieved I could sit and be lazy all day.

Except the room I am in is in dire need of tidying and therefore I am doing it at a very 'relaxed' pace.

At times like this I wish I had a garden and a small pool to sit in.

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FAB5 · 10/04/2011 18:04

I would never tell you to get a grip. If you are concerned that there has been a change in your baby's movements then you should go to hospital and have a trace done on her heartbeat.

WiiUnfit · 10/04/2011 18:11

Hi Yukana, sorry to hear you were worrying. Glad your LO has kindly showed you she's okay! Poor you, I'm sure your anxiety disorder is really not helping you out with the normal pregnancy worries! :(

Your local hospital will be lovely if you get worried again & want to be checked out, they're used to it & would rather put your mind at ease than have you sat there worrying!

Have you been told the location of your placenta? As you said she I'm guessing you've had your 20 week scan, if you haven't been told - have a look to see if there's any detail on the printout they give you. It is v.possible that if your placenta is anterior (at the front) like mine you may not feel all movements / kicks. My Sonographer, Midwife and Consultant didn't think to tell me this, it was only when another MNetter & a colleague said that I was told!

Sod the messy room, who cares? :)

I too wish I had a small pool to sit in in the garden, with OH bringing me ice cold Robinson's squash...

Original poster

Yukana · 10/04/2011 18:27

In my maternity notes at my 20 week scan the sonographer wrote something about the placenta yes - although I can't seem to find my maternity notes at the moment, she said there was no problems with the baby whatsoever, and she was growing perfectly within the normal range. I was worried sick as you can imagine throughout the entire scan and up to it, convinced something bad was going to happen, only to be sent off with no bad news, as well as being told it was a girl with a smile. Que my mother and grandmother bursting into fits of smiles and wild banter once told.

The local hospital is about a 30-40 minute drive away (we don't own a car ourselves so ask my grandparents if they are free to take us there) but there are two local doctor surgeries within a short and long walking distance.

I have been very lazy with the chores recently so need to give my poor DP a break, it's the least I can do.

I have a feeling LO will be early as my mother was a month early and I was three weeks early. You never know of course, though!

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WiiUnfit · 10/04/2011 18:56

Have a look when your notes turn up, it may be anterior meaning you can't feel all of the movements, might be a bit of a reliever for you. :) I remember feeling the same before our first scan at 13+3, I was convinced they would start the scan & there'd be nothing there, of course there was - a perfect little baby who appeared to be pointing at us!

Ah, we're the same with the hospital being quite a way away but luckily DP drives. Are you registered with either GP's practice? I'm sure they will happily put your mind at ease if you are. It may be worth investing in a Doppler so you can have a listen in if you are getting a bit worried, I'm not sure what week you can use them from though? Please try not to freak out too much if you can't find a HB straight off, I believe it takes a bit of trial and error to get the right spot!

I'm sure your DP will be understanding about the messy room, it's a lovely day & you've had a bit of a worry earlier so just put your feet up & relax!

Your LO may be early, of course, every pregnancy / labour / birth is different. :)

WiiUnfit · 10/04/2011 18:59

Sorry, should have added - an anterior placenta is perfectly normal by the way, it's just at the front as opposed to the back (posterior). :)

StiffyByng · 10/04/2011 19:18

I have an anterior placenta - I think it's definitely reduced the kicking I've felt. I had a short scan at about 32 weeks and it was very odd to see the kicking going on that I couldn't feel at all - the doctor was astonished that I couldn't feel it. I'm feeling far more now at 36 weeks because it's squirming rather than kicking - obviously even the placenta can't stop it now!

sunshineoutdoors · 11/04/2011 07:01

Sorry to hijack this thread, but have been worrying about this too. I'm 23 weeks today and not sure if I'm feeling the baby enough. I think I've felt some faint movements this week, but I'm not entirely certain to be honest. On my notes it says I have a posterior placenta, does this make a difference, should I be worried?

FAB5 · 11/04/2011 07:30

If you are worried, call your midwife or the hospital. It is what they are there for.

WiiUnfit · 11/04/2011 08:18

Sunshine, as Fab said, if you're worried, call them. They will be able to put your mind at ease and won't be nasty! I guess if baby is facing your back it could kick a posterior placenta as well but best to be sure and get checked out. How often are you feeling movements / kicks? 23wks is still a little early to be feeling everything too.

Stuffy - my scan was the same, baby kicking away with me oblivious to it! Someone on here described a baby kicking an anterior placenta as being like the kicking a duvet lol, v.apt!

CitizenOscar · 11/04/2011 08:43

Midwife sent me for a scan at 28 weeks because I was worried about the same thing. Like wii and stiffy at the scan I could see him kicking but couldn't feel a thing. The sonographer put it down to "cushioning" : amniotic fluid, placenta (anterior) and my "fat cells"

I'm a worrier but try to keep it hidden (don't like to make a fuss, you know) but I was so glad I got it checked out. Almost straight after the scan, the baby moving & rolling about and hasn't stopped since.

Darlingdamsel · 11/04/2011 09:44

Me too! I am 25 1/2 weeks and literally have not felt more than random skirming this week (and even then I wonder if I am making it up in my head). I don't feel panicked, but it does worry me.

Crazy what pregnancy does to you.

Original poster

Yukana · 11/04/2011 10:11

Once we finish tidying this trash and clothes pit mess of a room, I'll be able to know whether I have a anterior or posterior placenta.

She kicked me quite a bit yesterday, which relieved me. I haven't felt her kick this morning but I haven't been awake long and at this stage I believe they sleep quite a bit? (Up to 14 hours a day I read somewhere).

And although this thread was originally me posting my worries don't worry about hijacking it. :) It's good to know I'm not the only one being a worrying nuisance. (DP says I worry too much, in his defense he's confident that she will be fine apparently because she has his genes).

Perhaps I'll talk with my midwife about it over the phone and see what she suggests, she knows I am a worrywart but to be honest with what my anxiety has been in this pregnancy, I don't really feel like only two scans is enough. Does anyone feel the same way? There is a 12 week scan, and a 20 week scan, but after that no scan for 20 weeks. The thought drives me up the wall!

OP posts:

owlbooty · 11/04/2011 12:00

It does seem like such a long gap, doesn't it?

I am 23 weeks and some days I get kicked quite a lot, some days he's awfully quiet. I went to the MW in a panic at 21 weeks for a sneaky doppler fix as he'd been quiet for a couple of days. Turns out he'd buggered off into the depths of my pelvis and I think turned around as well so I couldn't feel him kicking me (I also have an anterior placenta which doesn't help). It seems to be so hit and miss at this stage; it's hard not to worry and the minute you cave in and go and see the MW, the LO will be suddenly start kicking you in the guts just to make you look daft, you just know it

MrsMooky · 11/04/2011 13:56

I'm 23+5 and feeling nothing other than vague flutterings occasionaly. I am totally freaking out but my midwife seems blase about it to the point of boredom - which is sort of reassuring I guess. But I'm going for a check later this week to put my mind at rest and meanwhile trying not to think the worst!

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