Increased movement at nearly 18 weeks - worry or not?

[Vida32]

I'm 17+5 with my first. I found out at 16 weeks that I have an anterior placenta, which I thought would affect my ability to feel movement but it's in a high position, which I understand can mean it has less of an effect.

I think I had my first single 'nudge' nearly 2 weeks ago, which seemed quite early. In the past week, I have had definite movement and it has been increasing from a few last thing at night to periodically through the day and once in the night as well.

Yesterday afternoon and evening I had pain and tenderness on one side of my stomach and it almost felt like there was a lump there. The pain was concentrated in one spot. Stomach was also feeling bigger and firmer. I was really worried but 'What to Expect' says round ligament pain can sometimes last a few hours, so I put it down to that. Had a great night's sleep (for once!) and woke up with no pain but still a firmer and bigger belly.

This morning, movements have been going mad for the last couple of hours. In the past few days I have felt two or three and then nothing for a while and then another little burst a few hours later. There have been absolutely loads in the last couple of hours - literally every few minutes.

Is this a normal increase as I get further along or could it be a sign of distress? I'm worried that if I try to speak to anyone they will just say 17+5 is too early to have any consistent pattern of movement.

I'm especially concerned because of the pain last night. Though, as I say, this is gone now.

Btw I haven't eaten or drunk anything different - one of my two-a-day mugs of tea and some bran flakes as usual this morning and that's it.

They will say 17+5 is too early to have a consistent pattern of movement. Your baby is still tiny and might just be in a bit not covered by placenta at the moment so you are feeling lots. Ring your midwife if you're having concerns but they can't do much but listen for the heartbeat as baby is too small for a trace. If the pain is gone I wouldn't worry too much, growing pains the first time around are horrid.

They won't be looking for any sort of pattern for another almost 10 weeks. There isn't anything they could check / do right now, so I would just try and relax.

I have a high anterior placenta and had flutters and also bigger bumps from around the same time! I'm 21 weeks now and had my 20 week anomaly scan yesterday and all was fine. Lots of movement every day!

A lot of the time any pain I have I end up realising is to do with needing to poop or feeling backed up! Remember everything is pushed up and moved and will keep going that way! Call your midwife if you are worried though xx

It sounds to me like the baby has moved position. At 17+5 its still pretty tiny so where it is determines what you can feel? I remember both of mine almost swimming up and down and poking out at various intervals. Also I had one anterior placenta and movement was from early on.

Thanks for the replies. Tried not to worry yesterday. Movement calmed down. And now of course today I haven't felt anything, so I'm in a bit of state again. Most info I've found refers only to never having felt the baby move by 24 weeks as a problem. It seems like monitoring would only happen after 24 weeks? That's what it says in my hospital info.

Well I've always taken lots of movement as a good thing, happy baby and placenta working as it should be.

At this stage I wouldn't be concerned, babies still small and has quite a lot of room. Its later on when you pay attention to movement and that's when there's less than usual.

I went in for monitoring for increased movement. Everything was fine, but I definitely appreciated the reassurance that baby was okay. If you notice ANY change in movements, call the maternity ward for advice. They will not have any problem with you calling.

I also went in for monitoring for decreased movements. There really is no harm in asking for some support from the maternity unit.

How far along were you GinAndTeaForMe? My maternity unit info only says to do this from 24 weeks.

I actually can't remember to be honest. The thing is, despite what the booklet says, the staff are there to support you. If it is going to stop you worrying, go for it. There is nothing wrong with wanting some advice. X

I'd expect an increase in movement at this stage. I felt ds move at 17 wks,it's was pretty random for a couple of weeks then noticeably increased as he got bigger and moved more.

Yeah they won't be able to do monitoring at 17 weeks, the baby is too small to be trapped down to get a suitable trace.
By all means ring them, but all they would be able to do is a Doppler and maybe a scan but I doubt it, sorry.

After two days of nothing, felt some little movements today. At first I was really relieved but I seem to have become generally much more anxious lately. I had horrible nightmares last night including one in which I had a miscarriage and I've been thinking about it all day. I've also had to switch to a different blood thinning injection from the one I've had for the last two months and it's really worrying me, especially as I found a post on here in which someone said they thought that medication had caused their miscarriages. I know that's just one case and that the medication has been researched and found to be safe and that the risks if I don't take it are high but I feel so worried still.
We've just moved to a new area and I've only seen my midwife once and my gp once so I don't feel like there is anyone I can ask for support or reassurance.

How are you feeling now OP? I hope you're okay. Anxiety is such a horrible thing to deal with. You can make an appointment with your doctor or midwife to find out what help there is in your area.

Take care. X