Reducing Stillbirth: Count the Kicks Campaign

[CarGirl]

I just want to promote "Count The Kicks"

Please read this, if it helps one Mum not suffer the agony of stillbirth it's worth it

countthekicks.org.uk/

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Thanks for making me aware of the importance of fetal movement. I'm going to order a bracelet right away. Thank you to all those mums who have lost a beautiful baby for sharing your stories on this thread, my heart goes out to you and I can't think of anything harder in life.
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I am 10 weeks pregnant with DC2. My first baby was very active in utero but NEVER did I feel a "kick". There was much wriggling and hiccuping but nothing I would have been able to describe as a kick.

I would describe myself as almost paranoid about stillbirth (while I was pregnant last time, two couples I know lost babies to stillbirth :( ) so I am very aware of the risk and that yes, it does happen to people "just like me".

What should I do this time? I was very aware of movement last time and had one awful scare when baby didn't move when I woke up, I got straight up and ate ice cubes while looking for the phone number of delivery suite, but thankfully by the time it started ringing there was an onslaught of jiggling.

Reading the Count The Kicks stuff has scared me rigid, how the hell would I know if something was wrong if I can't feel actual kicks? I assumed the somersaulting last time was fine (could see the baby doing huge movements) but now I understand this is not so as the movement can be just due to floating in fluid...

I know that perhaps my placenta will be in a different place so I might feel things differently this time, but knowing what I know now, 20 weeks of no "kicks" is going to push me right to the edge I think. Any suggestions?

Oh, and almost goes without saying but I think stillbirth is a particularly cruel form of bereavement and I have the utmost sympathy and admiration for everyone coping with such a loss.
My friends have found SANDS a massive help and I would urge anybody to donate to them

Call it count the movements instead, I dont have a kicker either. (hiccups dont count)

Thanks :) last time the MW said the same.

I have read a lot about how movements don't necessarily mean anything and it's scared me, but thinking about how huge the movements were, baby was definitely propelling itself and not just floating, I think. Good luck with your baby crosshair, hope s/he is a wee stoater!

Cheers. :o Hope everything goes smoothly for you!

Hi,

I'm terrified of stillbirth. I only really know people on here who've had a stillbirth, and a colleague who lost her second twin at birth through medical negligence, and the junior doctor not realising the baby was in serious distress and not moving until it was way too late.

I'm pg with twins, am 17+6 (18 weeks on Thursday). I have been feeling flutterings since 15 weeks, probably only in one, and definite kicks DH can feel, I think from both in the last week or so. How am I meant to tell one from the other? I have already had a couple of days where I think only one baby is moving as all movements- and lots are flutters, are to one side.

I am also more educated after reading this. I had no idea flutters and movements didn't count and only kicks matter. I have a DD and was careful about monitoring movements with her- or so I thought, but actually, I was counting all movements so am horrified that really, I wasn't being careful...

I have already had 2 extra scans. One for bad pain, when I couldn't believe anything bar miscarriage was happening (babies both fine), one for spotting and strong braxton-hicks at 16 weeks.

I am worried, as DH points out, that I will get a reputation as 'the girl who cried wolf' as I am so early on, and have already sought help, for what I thought were valid reasons, so early. What if the stop listening if I'm worried later on because I have been clearly worried so early on?

Any advice??

oh- and that post is such bad english. Can I blame the hormones and extreme tiredness brought on by twin pg and a 14 month old?!

One thing you must do is not feel guilty, or feel like you are imposing by asking for extra scans/monitoring: as you are having twins, you should be receiving extra care regardless.

I could have been accused, and indeed received an attitude at times of "crying wolf" "making an unnecessary fuss" during pregnancy. The result?

Snoring (actually snorty, snoring her head off - quite funny; has a slight cold)

Had I remained meek, and worried about making a fuss, I would not have received immediate medical intervention.

You are very early on. Get used to having a quiet times, and simply concentrating on the particular movements of your babies.

Do enjoy your pregnancy. Most do end well.

^''There is no average or normal amount of movements you should feel, however it is often advised that a minimum of 10 movements should be felt throughout a day, but our advice is to always follow your instinct; if you have any worries or an uneasy feeling, something isn?t right ? call your midwife.

Movements can be KICKS, SWOOSHES, PUNCHES, FLIPS or TURNS (Hiccups however are not classed as movements).''^

Taken from: countthekicks.org.uk/

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Just to reassure you LennyGodbher my two very healthy children (aged 4 and 5) weren't really kickers, and nor is the one I'm carrying. My middle one was more active than the other two - she did a breech to cephalic somersault at 36 weeks. I used to panic with my first, and sometimes a bit with this one, but I can feel definite movements. (Ha, it actually did just kick me - that's very rare though).

I'm 28 weeks, have an anterior placenta (at the front) and get more 'rummaging' sensations than anything else.

The point in Count the Kicks is that you get used to your baby's movements and patterns and trust your instincts if you're worried. Midwives really really are happy to find a healthy baby's heartbeat for a worried mum rather than not find one too late.

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I have just ordered a wrist band. Very moved by people's experiences. Add Children in need to my evening and I am an emotional wreck right now at 11 weeks.

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Can I also ask about twins? I feels lots of kicks, at 27 weeks, but I can't tell which is from whom, and am I terrified that I might jus be feeling one of the babies, how do you monitor twins' movements?

Thanks to anyone who might have an answer!

I think with twins (or more) it is a tough one to answer, and scans only will give you a definitive answer.

You should take quiet time out to get to know and recognise your babies movements.

If you have any doubts, ensure you get to the hospital asap. Do not worry about "making a nuisance". Get there, and get reassurance.

Thank you caramel I kind of knew this would be the answer...
It's difficult though as it is just a general worry more than a specific one, so I would be at the drs everyday if I followed that!
Luckily I have a scan on saturday and I will ask the babies' positions and whether they are likely to change much from now on.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer though.
xx

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