Paranoid over baby's movements at 36 weeks

[evertonmint]

I'm 36w pg with DC3. Had mw check on Monday - heart rate normal, growth normal, movements normal, BP great, no oedema etc . And this has been my healthiest pregnancy by miles so no concerns.

About a week ago he switched from breech to cephalic and the big movements of his head and shoulders which were my 'normal' benchmark died down so I've been getting used to newer lesser movements.

Anyway yesterday and today he just seems much quieter. Responds to stimulus from me, but much less movement of his own accord. I've been on my feet a lot today for various reasons and won't be able to lie down for another 2 hours to do proper counting.

I had a mc between DC1 & DC2 which made me v paranoid towards the end with DC2, including self-referral for lessened movements twice both of which were completely normal. So I feel like I'm carrying the burden of that rather than making a rational decision IYSWIM.

Struggling to get my head round whether I am being paranoid again, whether his quietening down is just due to shift in presentation and having less space or whether I need to go in to hospital to get checked. The thing is, if I get checked now and all is fine, I think I'll just spend the next month or so panicking and catastrophising anyway so going in now will only put my mind at rest now IYSWIM. I really really hate late pregnancy as I fear my body giving up so much :(

Any calm, rational thoughts on what I should do?

Hi

I'm 36 wks too and had several losses so know what you mean about perhaps not feeling rational.

For me as long as the usual triggers - something sugary/ cup of tea/ ice cold drink or lolly produce movement then I relax a lot.

At the end of the day - going into hospital would only reassure me for such a short period of time to be a waste.

I do think that if you have serious concerns then get checked. For me a cuppa is usually enough to get a reassuring kick!

Good luck
Kath
Xxxx

Hi, go to triage and get monitored. The consultant I saw due to reduced fetal movement told me off for waiting too long and said she'd rather have a waiting room full of women whose babies turn out to be fine rather than miss the one who looses her child. In all likelihood your baby is well but have it checked out if the patten changes.that is NHS advice anyway. Good luck!

The number of movements tends to increase until 32 weeks of pregnancy and then stay about the same, although the type of movement may change as you get nearer to your due date. You should continue to feel your baby move up to and during labour.
If you notice your baby is moving less than usual, or if you have noticed a change in the pattern of movements, it may be the first sign that your baby is unwell. It is therefore essential that you contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately so your baby's wellbeing can be assessed.

Copied from www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Stillbirth/Pages/Prevention.aspx

Definitely go get checked out - chances are everything is perfectly fine. I had reduced movements 5 times in my pregnancy, once I didn't feel DS move for 3 days (had a scan on the second day and he was perfectly alright).

Massive wriggling session just after I I posted (clearly I wasn't the only one holding my breath and waiting to relax!), and a few big movements as I just walked home now, so I'm feeling reassured for the moment. Going for a lie down finally now so will check movement again. If I get good movements then I think I can relax for now but it's so hard when you're paranoid about it due to previous loss (not late stage, thankfully, but a constant reminder that my body is capable of failing my child IYSWIM).

Also the count to 10 thing I was taught with DC1 is no longer considered appropriate so there's no real guidance other than a fairly intuitive approach to go in if "things have changed", and my intuition feels all mixed up in my emotions with this so not sure I'm being rational about whether things have changed or not.

Busy couple of days too so perhaps I've just not noticed so much. Quieter day tomorrow with both DCs out which will give me chance to focus on his movements more closely and head in if I have any concerns.

Thank you for the support.

That's great! Wishing you all the best x

You don't need to be rational, anyone who has previously suffered a loss will be anxious.