21 weeks no movement - being sent for tests in a week

[CJ1990]

Hi ladies,

Just wonder if anyone has experienced this. I’m 21 weeks pregnant, posteria placenta and not felt movement. I rang my midwife who’s told me to wait one more week and then she is going to send me for a heartbeat check / scan. Has anyone had this? I’m really worried :( my 20 week scan a week ago was fine. Just feeling very confused x

Wondering why she asked you to wait a week ?:/ did she not check the heartbeat with a Doppler ?

My midwives wouldn't be concerned before 23 weeks as long as you haven't felt any movement at all. Regular movement that stops is a different matter.

If they were worried, they wouldn't leave it a week.

The op phoned up.

In your shoes, if I was very concerned, I'd phone the antenatal unit's day assessment midwife team. They should be able to scan you or at least check the heartbeat.

Please try not to worry too much, it’s not a major cause for concern until 23 weeks as a PP has said and it’s a very good sign that all was well at your 20 week scan.

However, I think if it were me and I was worried I’d pay for a private scan rather than wait a week to be seen. Would that be an option for you?

I wouldn't worry, it's another few weeks until they would start expecting you to definitely feel movement and you also saw everything was fine on a scan a week ago. Some people just don't feel that much movement during pregnancy for all kinds of reasons.

Is it your first?

I rang her and she just said to wait a week to see what happens and then call.
May ring the triage over the weekend but don’t want to take their time up just being a worrier! As they will probably have other women to see too.

Hi @pastabest yeah, it’s my first x

Don't worry about ringing the maternity unit they won't think your wasting their time. The first time I went in as movement had stopped was 18 weeks. They were happy for me to go in and told me they would rather see me than have me sitting at home worrying. I was then in for reduced movements about once a month after that

Honestly I would just call the maternity assessment unit.
A 5-10 minute phone call and hopefully you will have a plan and/or some reassurance.

Really dont worry about being any trouble, it's what they are there for.

Call triage however with my first I never felt any movements till 26 weeks. With my second I felt them earlier. I went to triage at 25 weeks as I felt the pattern had changed and they said not to expect much of a pattern at that stage. They checked me with the Doppler and everything was fine.

It’s a horrible time. I had the same. In my area, neither the Early Pregnancy Unit would see me, not the Antenatal Day Assessment Unit as they only see you from 24 weeks onwards (as realistically they can do very little before this point if there is a problem). So I had to wait it out but the result of that pregnancy is now upstairs watching YouTube! Good luck.

If you're really worrying I'm sure maternity triage will see you. But it has said on my notes both times that most women start feeling movement between 18 and 24 weeks so you seem to be within the normal realms especially with a healthy 20 week scan.

Thanks everyone. I think I’ll see if I feel anything over the weekend then call them Monday.

I didn't feel anything till about 21 weeks, I've friends who first felt theirs at 23, 24 and 26 weeks respectively.