Movement in second trimester

[sarahjkl82]

Hello everyone, total new person here. I've tried not to join anywhere like this as I've done so with previous pregnancies and they didn't make it! This is pregnancy number 6 (I have no children) and I'm a little bit paranoid as I'm sure you can imagine!

I started to feel Blob move at 15+2. There were some little movements like butterflies/popcorn and then by the time I hit 16 weeks, I felt some bigger movements, like Blob was flipflopping in my tummy. I know it's super early to feel anything but I am now freaking out a little as Blob hasn't moved in over 24 hours. Yes, I don't really need to be concerned but I am absolutely terrified that I've lost yet another pregnancy. Constantly waiting to hear the, "I am so sorry" remark...

Does anyone know of a way to know whether this is normal or not as I don't want to bother out of hours services or make them think I'm a total and utter loon!

Thank you! SO sorry about this!

Hi. I can understand why you are so worried but at 16 weeks baby is floating totally in the middle. I had the odd flutter but nothing consistent at 16 weeks as there's so much space for them to be away for the edge. I am now 24 and was at maternity triage this week as I hadn't felt movement all day. Midwife put the monitor on and baby was kicking away (you could hear it kicking the monitor) but I couldn't feel anything! She said there was still room at 24 weeks for it to get into a position where I couldn't feel it but at that point I was right to get monitored. So at 16 weeks you will still have days of not feeling baby. It's hard not to feel worried - I have had a previous early loss and was worried with this one. Even my 20 week scan hasn't completely reassured me! Try to stay calm but maybe you need to discuss your anxiety with your healthcare providers - I know some people on here with multiple losses have had counselling for PTSD. Take care.

Have you had investigations and do you have a specialist RMC midwife? You definitely should! Anxiety is a massive issue with pregnancy after RMC and for this reason having it known you're a special case helps the MW help you with extra reassurance. If you feel it would help, do ring them; explain you have had previous losses when you introduce yourself. They will listen and will reassure you.

In terms of movement, no you don't track or count kicks that early and you wouldn't expect to feel movement daily. In fact many women don't feel movement at all until 20+ weeks. What is most likely is that the fetus has swum to a place where it isn't touching you when it moves its little arms and legs! It is only after about 26-28 weeks people count daily kicks.

This website is incredibly useful for monitoring movement: countthekicks.org.uk/mums/your-babys-movements/babys-movements-week-by-week/
It is from a charity which exists solely to prevent pregnancy loss, so you can trust its advice to be vigilant enough.

If you are feeling very anxious, from experience be careful about using forums. You get people who are too lax, and people who are still working through their own grief and anxiety: both extremes are not the balanced advice of a medical professional. When you are anxious, that is what you need: so don't feel bad about using the phoneline to the max!! :)

If you feel that talking with people in the same situation as you might help you with day to day anxiety, we have a great thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2140166-Shiny-and-new-posifrickintivity-thread-for-pregnancy-after-miscarriage
Everyone knows exactly the worry and fear that comes with this situation so it's a great way to support each other.

Good luck. As you know, after the 2nd trimester the risks of loss plummet to less than 1% so you are in a really positive place right now.

I hoped you'd be along squizita - I know you always have wise words to share. X

:) Thanks... I also have my mad moments though (OMG I read xyz on the tinternet... should I go to hospital?!?).

Ah pregnancy hormones madness, what a lovely gift NOT.

Thank you both for your support! Decided rather than sobbing at home, it was time to get some fresh air and walk the dog! How do you get a specialist rmc midwife? Everyone so far has just looked aghast at my notes! I am being watched by an obstetrician and will at some point see a counsellor through the midwife.

I really appreciate your quickness to answer and your sheer common sense!

Hi, I've had similar movements experience (and worry about it) even though this is baby number 4 it was hard to remember from last time.

I felt movement every day for a week from 15 weeks, then nothing for about a week at which point I was seeing the midwife anyway and she said it was nothing to worry about, she listened for the heartbeat but wasn't able to find it (also normal at that stage) but said she thought the placenta was at the front. This made sense to me especially as the movement I felt was very low down and if the baby had now moved up higher it would be blocked by the placenta.

I'm now almost 19 weeks and still only have occasional faint movements, but I had a gender scan a few days ago and baby was fine and placenta confirmed at the front.

It's hard not to worry but hopefully all ok!

Sarah try talking to your supervisor of midwives or your ob/gyn. There will basically be some very experienced MW who won't look aghast at anything and she will take care. You have an ob/gyn which is brilliant, and it sounds like they're lining up some stress support for you (grab that with both hands!). :)