In your experience, does movement reduce before labour?

[VJONES1985]

I've found mixed responses to this on Google so thought I'd see what you guys have experienced! I'm not quite in a position to worry about this at the moment as I'm 'only' 36w+4d but am wondering if I can expect movement to change at all in the next few weeks? Am being induced in about 10 days but would love to go into labour naturally instead.

My understanding is that reduction of movements before labour is a myth; if there's any decrease it's worth getting this checked out

If you experience any changes in movement at all go get checked, even if you're full term.

Any reduction in movement needs checking out. My friend is a midwife and has just posted a new campaignthis week to increase awareness in this area.

Not reduced but changed. As I got nearer term with bigger baby and less room inside they changed gradually from frantic sharp jabby movements to oozy slithery swimmy movements instead.

No

No. The movement might feel different as they run out of space, maybe. In my case with DC1 (healthy pregnancy) it got to the stage where I was so huge and overdue that it felt like wriggling in a tight space rather than the big movements. But they were still regular.

Any reduction in movements should be checked out asap. In my second pregnancy (obstetric cholestasis) I felt reduced movements from 35 weeks and went to the hospital to be monitored several times. I think they thought I was a bit bonkers, as all appeared fine on the monitor. But at 37 weeks her movements slowed right down and I rocked up at hospital and wouldn't leave until they'd checked it out. Had a c-section as she was in distress.

Always always get it checked out.

Always call your midwiife for reduced movement.

A colleague did have reduced movement and called - and was in labour but it was one of those sudden/precipitous ones! She had not realised so it was lucky she went in.

However another friend went in for reduced movement later on and their placenta had an issue, they had to stay in and be induced, of course all for the best as it meant their baby wasn't short of oxygen and was safe and sound in her last few days in the womb.

Mine continued moving right up to and during labour. Obviously movements feel different at 30 weeks compared to 40 weeks, but frequency didn't really change.

Thanks everyone :-)

No, always get checked. My friend was overdue and noticed that movements slowed down - so lucky that she erred on the side of caution and went in. Baby had cord around neck and she had an emergency section.