First ever post. Reduced movement. What do I do?

[WonderfulWorldBeautifulPeople]

First post on mn... Had the app for a few months but never needed to post. I don't feel confident or qualified when giving out advice to others so have refrained from asking for any.

I do have a question now however, and am slightly concerned about my little one. 23 weeks pregnant with my first. Have been pregnant three times before but sadly ended in miscarriage.

I've been having kicks from 18 weeks. They've been really quite strong this week, but last night and today they have reduced a little from the norm. I am still getting kicks however, just not at the usual times and far less. They are still strong enough to see, but it's only about one kick every couple of hours as opposed to the usual 10-15.

Is it normal for baby to have less active days? I'm new to this and am still terrified of losing my baby even though I'm well out of the 'danger zone'

Any shared experience would be much appreciated.

Phone your midwife so they can get you in. I had this and just after I'd called them, she started kicking again. They were absolutely fine about it. It's their job.

This early on it's to be expected that you have periods of changed sensation because the baby is still small in relation to your uterus and can tuck away in a corner. Monitoring patterns of movements is something you need to do from 27 weeks or so.

All that said, if you're worried, phone the number on your notes.

Phone up your midwife or triage unit and get some advice, most likely baby is tucked away as you ARE having movements but they can change so early on since they are so small.

Reduced movements especially with previous losses must be so difficult so hoping for the best for you!

Definitely not worth messing around with, reduced movements=urgent appt. hope all is ok

99.9% of the time it's just that the baby has moved to a different position, or is having a snooze or any number of other totally benign reasons, so don't panic, but do give triage a call. They'll get you in, they'll monitor you for a while, and they'll set your mind at ease. Don't worry, it'll be fine, but do give them a call xx

Contact your midwife as soon as you can. It may be nothing to worry about but it's certainly worth getting checked over to put your mind at ease at least.

Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure if I was being silly or not as I'm still feeling big strong kicks. They're just not as often. I think I got used to being reassured by my little one kicking me regularly so now he/she isn't it's unnerving. I'm going to give my midwife a call tomorrow. I have an appointment on Thursday so she may well just tell me to come in then.

Pregnancy is so incredibly anxiety inducing. Some people seem to take it in their stride. I just find myself worrying about every possible thing there is to worry about.

No, ring them now OP, not tomorrow. Or Thursday.

It's probably nothing as PPs have said, but you need to ring tonight.

Phone the number on your notes for maternity triage now. Doesn't matter how far along you are you need to call. They'll advise from there. I went in at 22 weeks for reduced movements with my youngest to be monitored.

I would ring triage at the hospital straight away and talk to them. I was very anxious during my pregnancy (previous loss) and they were lovely and either reassured or got me in to be monitored.
I also had a kicks count bracelet so I could keep track of movement.
I was the same with the worrying, but now have a beautiful dd. Funnily enough I'm nowhere near as anxious now I can actually see her!

Honestly Op call them now, they would rather check you and find everything's okay than leave it too late.

We had reduced movements and I felt so daft, especially as she started dancing as soon as they hooked me up, but they were lovely at the hospital and everything was fine, but they kept stressing to not wait and just get checked x

Ok thanks everyone. I'm ringing now but can't get through to see what they say and will take whatever advice they give me.

Spoke to a midwife who said because I'm only 23 weeks it's normal to feel a reduction in movement and as long as I can feel strong kicks the baby has probably just moved position. Said to see how it is after a few hours. Told me to lay down and see if I notice more movement when totally relaxed. Does this sound about right?

I was closely monitored in the third trimester of my first pregnancy due to placental problems. I had a great obstetrician who advised counting the first twenty kicks every day and seeing what time in the morning it would be to establish the normal pattern of movement. It sounds daft but it worked.

I also agree with pp to NEVER be afraid or shy to call your midwife and check.

My daughter had this too around 22/23 weeks. Baby went from being quite active to not very and she was very worried. She did end up getting checked but they did say that up until 24 weeks there wasn’t the same expectation of a pattern- so baby could have very active days and then very sleepy ones.
It is worrying, but try not to stress too much- have a lie down and a cold drink and see if that helps bring on some movements.

Just to say OP, just as others have said, don’t ever be afraid to ring (or in my case just show up!!) if you are worried about something.

Am very very early in my second pregnancy, but in my first I went in/called a few times about spotting, reduced movement, and one time I fell over. Every time it was completely fine but it was always worth checking.

It’s absolutely what the midwives are there for and they would always rather you called or came in.
xx

Thanks everyone. Didn't get much sleep last night but did feel a few movements throughout the night. Going to take it easy at work today and see if I can feel them during my down time. And breathe...

If in doubt phone, the "Have a cold drink and sugar then lie down" is badly outdated advice so any issues just phone up.

I'm consultant based so the above is drilled into us especially since baby is transverse at 35 weeks.

I hope you feel a bit reassured by the midwife. It is completely normal at 23 weeks.

I would call back (I assume you called the labour ward) and ask to go in to be checked on the monitor. I hope all is ok.

Thanks everyone. Movements seem to have returned back to normal now. Feel a bit silly but also relieved. Fingers crossed all is ok for my appointment on Thursday!

22 weeks yday. And had a slow movement day yesterday and was worried but all I ever hear is how midwives aren't interested until about 24-26 weeks for movements as there is still a lot of room!
Thankfully all normal today ☺️

Don’t feel silly at all! Everything that’s happening to you at the moment is totally new and without precedent, so of course you feel uneasy when things change. You’ve got no frame of reference to tell you what’s normal or not. That’s what the midwives and obstetricians are there for, to check and reassure you, and/or to treat you if necessary. You’ve absolutely done the right thing, and if you feel anxious again, don’t feel bad or that you’re being silly by phoning, you’re not, you’re being sensible. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy 😉 xxxx

Nothing to feel silly about, honestly. Whether it's your first pregnancy or your tenth, the advice would be the same.