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Original poster

How much should the baby be moving at 38 weeks? Does it slow down?

27 replies

RooneyMara · 26/12/2012 15:20

I can't remember if it's meant to get much less around this time.

He was very active yesterday evening, I spent a fair bit of the night sitting up with ds1 who had a high fever, and am knackered today - I have a really bad cold which I've had for a while now. But no fever.

Have realised that the baby hasn't really moved since yesterday evening - or if he has I haven't noticed it and he is normally pretty active.

OTOH it feels like his head is right down there iykwim - hard to walk and very uncomfortable. Could this explain the lack of movement? Not first baby obvs. so I'm not sure he will have 'engaged' as such.

I don't want to bother anyone but thought I would just check in and see if this is relatively normal.

Thanks x

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jinglebellyalltheway · 26/12/2012 15:22

I think its a myth that they move less "because of space", the movements may be different but you should still be feeling some (10 episodes a day, or 10 individual movements an hour), have a cold drink then lye down on your left side and time 1 hour and concentrate, if you don't feel 10 (not including hiccups) then call the unit

x

AmberLeaf · 26/12/2012 15:22

Get it checked out.

No one will think you are bothering them with something as important as this.

Original poster
RooneyMara · 26/12/2012 15:28

Thankyou...just felt a really little movement, I will try the lying down thing and see if he gets going.!

MW tomorrow which will be reassuring in any case.

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jinglebellyalltheway · 26/12/2012 15:31

I have a free baby kick counter app on my phone which helps, I do have to concentrate to pick up 10 in an hour and don't notice any if I'm busy and moving about at this stage 38wks, but do feel them once I rest and concentrate, HTH

Original poster
RooneyMara · 26/12/2012 15:40

Thankyou - have had another little movement since posting, but he's normally so active - that's probably why it seems so strange.

Last night I was watching him shift around like a mad thing in there - was quite uncomfortable! If he is still being dozey by this evening, I'll probably call and talk to MW unit.

Thanks again.

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DolomitesDonkey · 26/12/2012 15:43

Yes, please call. Sadly things can go wrong sp quickly that you can't afford to wait for your next scheduled appointment.

Very glad to hear he's perked up though!

AmberLeaf · 26/12/2012 15:43

Don't mean to badger you, but if you dont feel anything soon, please go and get it checked.

I had barely there movements with one of mine 1-2 days before he was born and was very lucky not to lose him, he was born with the cord wrapped several times around his neck and very low apgar score, not breathing and needed resusitation [sp]

They really won't mind you coming in to be checked.

Hopefully he will start kicking you when you try the drink and lie down Smile

Jollyb · 26/12/2012 15:44

Please don't wait until this evening. If the baby is being much quieter than usual call the labour ward or your maternity assessment unit now.

ShhhhhGoBackToSleep · 26/12/2012 15:44

Ring now. It won't hurt to speak to someone sooner, but it could to wait.

Please do ring them now and talk it over.

AmberLeaf · 26/12/2012 15:44

Cross post, glad hes perking up, but what I said /\ still!

giraffesCantFlyLikeReindeer · 26/12/2012 15:45

do get checked, I speak from experience. If you don't feel happy with the answer you get then go back. Trust me!

MildredIsMyAlterEgo · 26/12/2012 15:45

Agree, ring them now. Don't wait.

Forrotor · 26/12/2012 15:45

Please call the unit now. Don't worry that you're wasting their time or bothering them.

Original poster
RooneyMara · 26/12/2012 15:51

Thanks guys, going to switch off and lie down for a bit and see how he does.

Amber - sorry, that must have been terrifying. I didn't realise that was a reason they could slow down so thankyou for posting x

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Original poster
RooneyMara · 26/12/2012 18:02

Well have had a few more noticeable movements, so I think he must just have been having a slow day. Feel reassured and I'll look forward to hearing his little heartbeat tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone and sorry to have made a fuss about nothing.

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FridgeBenefits · 26/12/2012 18:05

Please contact your mw.
It may be nothing and just a slow day, but surely it's better to have it checked and any problems rules out?

Original poster
RooneyMara · 26/12/2012 18:13

Fridge, thankyou, but I'm sure it's fine - he is now writhing about generally, I don't know what he's been up to all day till now but he's feeling very normal again now Smile

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giraffesCantFlyLikeReindeer · 27/12/2012 02:32

there are many many reasons. But always best to alert you MW and get it checked.

I am not sure why I bother posting on threads like this. I should avoid them.

Original poster
RooneyMara · 27/12/2012 08:06

Ouch. Sad I'm sorry if I have somehow upset you.

I did what people advised - I went to lie down, had a sweet drink and waited an hour, and he started to move again.

It's what the MW would have said probably anyway? Rather than drive a half hour journey with two (one quite poorly) children in the dark and rain to be monitored for 10 minutes after a probably wait of a few hours anyway, when I knew the baby was still moving, even if he had been quiet all day...

there didn't seem any point. I will be seeing MW at 1pm anyway today and the baby is wriggling a lot this morning.

I'm not sure what you wanted me to do - I'd be there 24/7 if I went to be checked on the basis that there had been a period of time with reduced movement, but things were now back to normal. It was only that it had been a longer time than usual that concerned me. But the advice worked.

Once again, sorry if I upset you x

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AmberLeaf · 27/12/2012 09:21

It's what the MW would have said probably anyway?

The midwife would have told you to come in and get checked.

Original poster
RooneyMara · 27/12/2012 09:23

Ok, sorry.

I have looked at some other stuff online and people seem to say quite often that they are advised to lie down with a drink and see if anything happens, and if the baby starts moving again, not to worry.

I apologise if I'm wrong. I have no idea, once more, sorry for upsetting people.

I wish I hadn't asked now.

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Original poster
RooneyMara · 27/12/2012 09:25

Actually you said it too!

'They really won't mind you coming in to be checked.

Hopefully he will start kicking you when you try the drink and lie down Smile'

I feel awful, now, because I thought I did what I was supposed to and I've still managed to make you and Giraffes cross.

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AmberLeaf · 27/12/2012 09:28

Im not having a go at you! Smile

I would just rather anyone in this position get looked at by someone qualified and with a doppler.

I always say the same thing on threads like these because that is the best thing to do, its what the midwife would say if you rung them too.

Hope all is well at your appointment Smile

AmberLeaf · 27/12/2012 09:29

No Im not cross honestly Smile

I just get concerned when I see threads like this.

I said that because I could see that you'd rather try that first, but I did also say that going in is not bothering anyone.

Original poster
RooneyMara · 27/12/2012 09:33

Yes, I see what you mean and I am really sorry.

I think you have to say that, and given what happened with you you were right to advise getting checked out.

Partly I feel embarrassed because I got monitored last week when I thought I was leaking and there was nothing going on. It's a bit mortifying. I didn't want to go and be a nuisance again, but if he hadn't moved when I tried the advice I'd definitely have called them.

Anyway I have to go and find my wee bottle which I seem to have misplaced, before 1pm, and try and get something into it which when you can't see anything past your navel is surprisingly difficult Grin

Thankyou again xx

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