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Original poster

Anterior placenta - 23 weeks and feeling less movement

19 replies

Boos75 · 18/04/2011 10:47

Hi,

I'm looking for some reassurance really. Am 23 weeks on Wednesday and all was good at our 20 week scan. I have a high anterior placenta so whilst I've been feeling movements since about 16 weeks they are very gentle (oh how I want to be bashed about!). The last few days I've felt the movements much less but I heard the baby's heartbeat on a doppler yesterday that a friend has leant me. I know you can't rely on a doppler in case you mistake the sound of your placenta for the heartbeat but it was the familiar 'dog woofing' sound that I heard at my 16 week scan.

As the movements have really lessened do you think I should call my midwife to check? Am a bit all over the shop today as my grandma sadly died last night so am feeling a bit vulnerable. Whilst I don't want to be a pain I equally don't want to not check in case something is wrong. Am sure ordinarily I'd be able to answer this question myself but being a bit woolly headed today. Thanks x

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Original poster

Boos75 · 18/04/2011 11:19

Selfish bump

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MrsMooky · 18/04/2011 12:17

Hey Boos,

I am going through exactly the same thing. Anterior placenta can really muffle any baby movement - a very good friend of mine felt nothing till 27 weeks. I'm now 25 weeks and still gettting very intermittent movement, I think less than I was a few weeks ago. But I've also been to see my midwife repeatedly and heard the heartbeat - last time on Friday - and am trying to take her advice to relax. I am quite sure you have nothing at all to worry about but I also know that stress is not good for you or your baby, so if seeing the midwife is what it takes to put your mind at rest, go ahead! I'm really sorry to hear about your grandmother, my dad died the week before I found out I was pregnant and I am sure it has affected how nervous and scared I've felt throughout the last months. But give her a call, she's there to help.

Original poster

Boos75 · 18/04/2011 12:25

Thanks so much MrsMooky. Although it's my first DC I did have a MMC a year before I fell pregnant this time, so am a little obsessed with things going wrong, though generally am not physically getting anxious about things. I think my grandmother dying hasn't helped - though bless her she said to me when I saw her last week 'everything will be fine this time, I've been praying for you every night' (though she wasn't religious at all!).

I will give my midwife a call as could do with the reassurance at the moment. Sorry to hear about your Dad passing away - that must be really hard for you.

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jezebelle · 18/04/2011 12:27

Re the doppler, the placenta and heartbeat work together so if you can hear one then the other is fine too xx

Original poster

Boos75 · 18/04/2011 12:50

Thanks jezebelle, that's good to know. Am lucky in that can usually find the heartbeat quite quickly. I really didn't want to have a doppler as didn't want to become obessed but with the muffled movements I get it's actually very reassuring x

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davidtennantsmistress · 18/04/2011 13:02

I agree if you've heart bubs all should be fine, mine's also anterior movments are really high or really low - to this end, from about 7pm I sit on the sofa with my legs curled up & you can actually feel a lot more that way (all very low still but reassuring) tbh mine still feels like a bit of wind - nothing like the strong kicks DS used to give me.

sorry to hear about your nan.

Tealdoe · 18/04/2011 13:08

I've got an anterior placenta too and I'm sure my midwife told me not to worry if I don't get regular movement until 28 weeks. I think it was about 25 weeks before I got movement every day but even now at 28 weeks, some days baby kicks less than others. I have a doppler too and find it very reassuring on quieter days. There's no harm in calling your midwife though for extra reassurance.

Lookandlearn · 18/04/2011 13:18

Had anterior placenta with dc1 and 2 - posterior this time and I can't believe the difference. Felt movement roughly same time- late as it happens, but this time it is virtually constant and very strong.

ALittleLemonTwist · 18/04/2011 14:36

I'm 23+3 also have an anterior placenta and got myself quite worked up about lack of movements. I saw the mw on Friday and heard the hb...I was so relieved I burst into tears. MW did say not to expect regular movement until 28 weeks when I should expect around 10 movements a day.

Also not wanting to be scaremonger, we also discussed the benefits of a home doppler as I have been toying with the idea just for reassurance when the baby is having a quiet day, but my mw was very strongly against the idea as she said it was very easy to mistake you own heartbeat for the baby's so they can in fact give false reassurance. She said if there was any concern they would rather mums to be contact them than rely on their home dopplers.

Having an AP is so frustrating. Can't wait to feel more definite movements!

Original poster

Boos75 · 18/04/2011 15:42

Thanks for all your responses ladies - maybe we should set up an anterior placenta support group!

ALittleLemonTwist you are right to flag up issues with home dopplers. I had read somewhere recently that you have to be very careful when using them. Have heard the HB at my 16 week scan and also at a GP appt two weeks ago as cheekily asked when I was there - both times I heard the same 'dog woofing' noise and recognised it as the HB, rather than my own. However, am still very cautious about only relying on that, which is why less movements have been concerning me. Think have had a few today but wish he/she would give me a good elbowing! x

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WiiUnfit · 18/04/2011 19:52

Hi ladies, another AP sufferer here!

I have been lucky enough to feel movements from 14 weeks and regular (10+ per day) from about 23 weeks iirc.

My LO scared the life out of me on Saturday though, I hadn't felt anything at all for absolutely hours (I usually always feel movement as soon as I wake up / have breakfast / have a shower). I got myself into a right state, by the time OH got back from work I was a blubbering wreck having tried everything to get baby moving & convinced myself something must have gone wrong and that it was all my fault .etc. He was a star, calmly helped me get ready (I was in that much of a state), got my notes, got me in the car and suggested we go to the hospital. 2 minutes into the car journey I was kicked in the ribs goodness knows how many times! Baby has been v.happy ever since & I am now a nervous wreck!

I have since ordered a 'Count the Kicks' wristband after I realised that as long as baby is moving well I haven't really been counting the way I should!

Boos - I think the support group may be needed!

hubbahubster · 18/04/2011 22:00

Hey, can I join? Another AP here, I too had a MMC last year so this is making me doubly paranoid! I'm 26w and some days I get huge thumps, others hardly anything. Just when I start to worry, wallop! So you're definitely not alone :)

WiiUnfit · 18/04/2011 22:03

Hi hubba, so sorry to hear of your MMC last year :(

There's nothing more reassuring than a good wallop! :)

Original poster

Boos75 · 19/04/2011 08:21

Thought I'd report back ladies to let you know that I called the midwife who was lovely and said I'd be welcome to come in and they would listen for the HB with a doppler but she also said that at 23 weeks the baby is still moving around quite a bit. I decided not to go in as wanted to see my mum following my grandma's death and I also felt that everything was ok as had had some 'shifting' rather than kicks.

Last night I used the doppler at home and heard the HB and then the LO started to kick so hard (not that it felt hard through the placenta!) that my DH and I could hear it popping and could feel it for the first time on the outside of my tummy. It was amazing for my DH and a very touching moment at the end of a tough and emotional day. Am sure of course in a few days I'll be worrying again! Good to know I'm not alone out there x

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WiiUnfit · 19/04/2011 11:39

Great news Boos, obviously your LO decided you needed some happiness! :)

Sorry to hear about your MMC & your Grandma. Stay strong, I'm hoping your LO will keep giving you a reason to smile like last night! :)

Original poster

Boos75 · 19/04/2011 14:11

Thanks WiiUnfit*. I think you're right as the LO has been kicking as usual today - obviously trying to tell me to have a bit of faith and stop always thinking the worst!

Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy and may you be kicked and pummelled daily!

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WiiUnfit · 21/04/2011 16:21

And you too, I am being kicked and pummelled constantly now! :) Hope you are too!

hubbahubster · 21/04/2011 19:48

Ah Boos, good to hear you're being whacked :) you too WiiUnfit! I've just come back from a long road trip to see family, baby very quiet the whole time, then once I was relaxing at home, thump... Typical! I try not to let the odd quiet day worry me now. Hope all's well with you too!

Original poster

Boos75 · 22/04/2011 09:05

Hi hubba - that's good news. Yesterday I had the strangest movements - like when you 'lose' your stomach when you drive over a hill. Baby must have been somersaulting lilke crazy. Was lovely to feel though and really reassuring. We'll need to make sure we factor in lots of sitting down outside this weekend doing nothing so that we give ourselves a chance to feel the whacks! :)

Happy Easter!

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