Kicks count

[justkeepswimmingg]

Hi everyone. I am currently 22 weeks pregnant. Long story short I have a DS, who was premature and I also have an angel baby who was stillborn (due to health problems with the baby - not due to reduced movements).
I have always followed 'kicks count', and been aware that I need to get to know my baby's movement pattern. Following baby's movements with my DS, saved his life and I was admitted to hospital to be monitored prior to going into premature labour.
Problem being is this pregnancy, my baby doesn't seem to have a movement pattern. He moves when I wake up in the mornings, but I'm sure it's because I have a full bladder. On days that I've woken up early hours of the morning for a wee I don't have as much movement when I actually wake up for the day - if that makes sense.
He also moves a lot at night prior to me going to bed, but I've not noticed a pattern on movement during those times. They just seem random.
He also moves occasionally during the day, but not every day. They can also sometimes vary between very light movements, or very big obvious movements. They can sometimes last for up to an hour or as little as a minute.
If I give baby a prod or poke then he usually moves a little. I'm not concerned about baby as I've had scans etc since I've noticed he's not got a movement pattern.
I see the antenatal doctor in a couple of weeks time, and I am going to mention it to him and see what he says. The last time I saw the midwife which was at 18 weeks she said it was still early stages of movement, but by 23/24 weeks baby should have a movement pattern. So should I assume that a pattern will emerge within the next week or two?
Just to clarify I'm not concerned about baby, as I would for sure see a health professional. I'm just after a little knowledge or perhaps some mums who have had similar? If not I will contact 'kicks count' directly, and ask for some information.
Thank you

So sorry you've had a loss previously, OP

22 weeks is very early - lots of mums won't have felt any movement by then, and when you are feeling it, as in your case, it tends to be quite erratic. The 'count the kicks' guidelines are generally intended for the third trimester. Even then I don't know that every baby has a 'movement pattern'. I'm currently 39 weeks with my second, and I wouldn't say the movements are as predictable as that; it tends to be more active in the evening, and when I'm lying on my side, but that's about it. What's more important is that you don't have long periods with no movement at all.

Things will change a lot over the next few weeks as baby grows, but it doesn't sound like anything to worry about just now. You'll obviously be on the ball about seeking help if you have any real concerns. Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

Sorry for your loss OP. My midwife told me they dont expect a pattern until 28 weeks and even then, it might not be properly established. I think from my limited experience, 29+3 first baby, I didnt feel anything until 20ish and it has been really random until 28-29 where I have more of an idea. Hope that helps.

Thank you Cel and Holly. That helps a lot actually. He's a very active baby when he is moving, so I'm sure a pattern will emerge when the time is right! At least I don't need to worry that I only have a 1/2 week deadline to find a pattern now . Thanks for your help!

OP do you have the kick count ap? That will help you see if a pattern is beginning to emerge :-).

My midwife told me that from starting to feel movements until 28 weeks or so baby's movements would be erratic and not in a routine or habit. But that if I thought they weren't right to still give them a call. Which I did do once at 25 weeks.
I'm now 31 weeks and over the last two weeks or so baby has developed a bit of a routine, but it can still vary a bit. I think when I'm busy at work I miss movements.
It must be such a worry for you considering all you've been through, talk it through with your midwife and have a look at the kicks count site x

36 weeks here and I have never been able to put my finger on a pattern, other than he has quiet days every now and then! It's a bit frustrating but apparently even that small amount of info is useful as when considering patterns you look at the big picture over a couple of days I think. I couldn't tell you what times he's likely to be awake or anything like that.

My midwife also told me to look out for a pattern from 28 weeks, but I didn't really get a pattern until about 30 weeks. Good luck OP xx

I'm with haveacupoftea. Doesn't seem to be any method to his madness at 33 weeks.
Some days it's non stop, other days I barely feel him.
Have had to make a conscious decision not to panic every quiet day or I'll go crazy.

So sorry for your previous loss

I'm 29+2 and don't have a clear pattern yet. I know I'll get something at some point in the morning, afternoon and late evening though. Yesterday I got nothing so went for monitoring. All was fine and today has been much more normal.

I find it the most stressful part of pregnancy

Cabbage - that's a great idea about the app.

That's really reassuring to hear you all say the same about no definite movement pattern. At least I know he moves each morning, and evening/night, so I could use that to monitor his movements for the time being. I didn't stress so much last time around, but I guess it's because of our loss, that I'm just more anxious and feel I have to notice every single kick! Really appreciate you all replying.

Agree duggee - it really is the most stressful part of pregnancy!

just I can only imagine how much more stressful you must be finding it

This time my placenta is anterior. I had no idea how much of a difference it made until I was on the monitor yesterday and could see/hear lots of movement that I just couldn't feel. The midwife was awesome and said to come back any time I'm worried.

I'm 37w and mine doesn't have a time of day pattern of movement at all! I know things which can make him move - if I have a cold drink or eat sugary food that sometimes makes him move. Otherwise lying on one side tends to make him kick me, and rolling onto the other side will make him kick me on the opposite side. There isn't a time of day when he moves and his movements can vary day to day from being big movements where I can see a clear shift in my bump, to more the tickles and feeling like my bum is being prodded from the inside 😳 I have an anterior placenta so think it really depends on his position as to whether I feel much or not. My midwife wasn't worried - she said "his pattern is that there isn't one".

Sorry for your loss my midwife said to start counting at 28 weeks because before that is still early, but if he has been moving, if you don't feel him obviously go to get checked x

I agree with how stressful it is-I had an anterior placenta and felt my baby move only a handful of times the whole pregnancy. I ended up having a lot of monitoring! Never worry about getting checked as no one seemed to mind seeing me so often!

Sorry to hear about your loss and your DS being premature, it must have been so hard for you!

I agree that 22 weeks can still be early for a pattern. I started to feel baby around 18 weeks but didn't noticed a pattern until much later. I went to get check out at 22 weeks because we had been to the cinema and the loud noises kept making my baby jump and he was going mad inside my belly the whole time. However the following day I felt nothing! They checked me over and found his heartbeat and he was fine.

I wouldn't hesitate to go in though and get them to check on you if you do get worried. Definitely with your experience too! It's so important to know your babies kicks (as you know). They may make you feel a bit silly but it definitely puts your mind at rest x

Sorry for your previous losses.

Our baby had no pattern as such, he just never established one other than for 45mins each evening at 9pm needless to say I ended up going to the ward several times for checks. My midwife was so supportive with this throughout.

At 37+5 his movements were really light so my DH took us to the LW where a scan revealed an issue with blood flow through the placenta which wasn't apparent when I was (growth) scanned at 36. We had the baby a couple of days later following IOL.

Everyone used to say baby would establish some sort of pattern...he never did!
My point being if no pattern establishes please be extra vigilant.

Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy.