37 weeks - how much kicking should I have?

[notcitrus]

37+4, been in and out of hosp with minor issues for the last couple months but finally released until due date.
So now I'm paranoid that dc2 isn't kicking enough. The books say kicking slows down in the last month but simultaneously that if you are worried about not enough kicks to call the MW!

There was a huge thread a while back about counting kicks but it had too many sad stories that I can't bring myself to read it (trying to escape depression). I'm sleeping much of the time anyway so presumably I'm missing lots of kicks?

Still having 2-3 episodes a day of being kicked, but often less vigorously, presumably as head is engaged?

Can anyone say anything reassuring (or when I ought to call MW team)? And not tell me any stories about stillbirth?

Hey notcitrus, I recognise you from the Feb thread. For what it's worth, movements slowed down a bit in wk39 for me, but I was told to look out for at least a little activity in the morning, afternoon and evening. Also there were certain things I could do which guaranteed a bit of a reaction e.g. A cold drink, choccy bar, prodding my bump in certain spots, or lying on my right side rather than left, so you could give that a try, if you have anything you recognise. Fortunately when I was getting a bit more anxious, I usually had a scheduled check-up coming up the following day, but weekends are tricky.

Had I gone overdue like I did last time, I think I would have invested in a little doppler - I think you can get them for £15 of amazon or cheaper 2nd hand, as Otherwise, I would have driven myself a bit mad.

Official advice as far as I can see is ten kicks or movements an hour. There is a Count the Kicks thread here you should look up. I will bump it

Hi, Im 37 weeks today & noticed kicks are less vigarous & a little less frequent, they tend to feel more like he is stretching than kicking & feel his hiccups too. I am a total nutcase/worry-wort (due to past history) so I am driving myself crazy these last few weeks but I did buy a fetal heart doppler months back & find a little listen on that when I get too crazy reasures me!! I have 2 weeks til my ELC, I will be totally grey with worry by then!! I was'nt like this with my 1st 9 years ago but Bless her ..Amanda Holden so happy for her now home with her precious bundle but the horror of her late still birth last year plays on my mind, I've stopped reading womens mags that have all the baby related sad stories in.. still not long til our babies are here hope all goes well for you.x

Topaz I thought the official advice was 10 mvmts across the day - starting at 9am and getting to 10 before 6pm, Otherwise to call the PAU. That's what it says in my notes anyway?

For a lot of people 10 across the day would easily be achieved but I have an anterior placenta so even now at 32 weeks it still frequently takes me until mid afternoon to get to 10, I'd never get 10 an hour.

But then the official advice I guess has to cover the bare minimum that you should be getting. And it always says if you notice any change from what you're used to to call the mw / PAU.

OP, the one thing I do remember from reading the count the kicks type threads, is that it's a myth that mvmts should reduce near the end, so if in any doubt, just call your mw or hospital. I've never heard anyone say that the MWs were if they'd been in. I went in a Kyle of weeks ago because the kicks had reduced a bit and felt less pokey (all was fine) and the MWs there were brilliant and just said to go back if I'm ever worried about it.

The other thing is, I'm assuming you're consultant led if you've had minor complications on and off? I kind of got the impression when I went in that they'd be even more keen to check you over if you're consultant led? That's based on no scientific fact though

Hope everything is ok anyway and good luck with the birth xx

Thank you people - of course just after typing that she woke up and kicked the crap out of me for three hours!
Have read stuff that suggests they wake up and do episodes of kicking which seems to be what I'm getting, with long naps in between.

The MWs are indeed lovely - but despite being a team of 20 they and the receptionists all know my name now! I've seen a few consultants who have agreed I can be MW-led as long as test X is OK (which it is, then Y happens...)

Seeing nurse for bp/urine check on Monday so will get her to look at hb too, unless I panic again over the weekend - luckily the 3yos like the hospital garden with the fishpond, though MrNC and my parents are getting mighty bored of it, seeing as consultants tend to run an hour late or more...

Glad things are on the move again :)