27+6d and hardly any movement today.

[mamaandthegirls]

Hi, I have only felt baby move a few times this morning but I've noticed her pattern is she will move in the evening and after when I've eaten.
I have eaten a banana and some cereal and had a ice cold lemonade but only a few jabs here and there.
My MW told me they start monitoring movements at 28w, so I'm wondering if they'd even bother if I called up right now?

No harm in calling

Call 100%. Don't waste time worrying about one day. Better to be seen than not :)

I had RFM before 28 weeks called up and told to come in for monitoring. I think the protocol for how the hospital responds might be different at 28 weeks but the advice is if you notice a change don’t wait until the next day. Nb when you phone they’ll likely say ok have a cold drink and something to eat then lie on your left side for 1 hour with no tv or radio and monitor. If still not feeling normal movement come in. That’s what happened with me. I had a leaflet give to me by MW on this. it was fine and you are likely fine but they have a campaign to get people to notice a reduced amount of movement. At your stage your baby is certainly viable.

Ring!! I was in the hospital from 25 weeks due to reduced movements and they were brilliant. Please don't sit at home worrying; that's what the hospital/Midwives are there for x

www.tommys.org/sites/default/files/RFM-Infographic_0.pdf Here’s leaflet re not waiting (and no mention of 28 weeks not sure what your MW was meaning)

My baby never had a pattern.. I know a few of my friends said the same. I never felt I needed to check... but if you have a feeling you should check then by all means, go get yourself monitored!

Midwife here. Don't question it, get it checked. We never, EVER, mind popping you on the monitor for half an hour.

@happysnappysandwich midwives were fabulous for me during all my worries visits. Thanks so much for everything you do x

Me too sophsoph

I hope you've already called but if not, I think I'd also make sure to say "I'm 28 weeks tomorrow" rather than "I'm 27+6" - same difference but sounds a bit more urgent.

I think they say 28 weeks because it can be harder to discern patterns when baby is smaller as they have more room to move around.

Cosmoa it is current advice to try to note your baby's pattern and get any changes checked out. Some people find it harder to note a pattern than others, if anyone reading is unsure, if you're struggling to notice a pattern you can do timed kick counts instead where you lie down for an hour at about the same time once a day, have a cold drink and time how long it takes to feel 10 kicks. You can get up after 10. If it takes significantly longer than usual (e.g. it normally takes 10 minutes but it's taken half an hour) or you don't get 10 kicks within the hour, call maternity assessment.

The 28 weeks relates to how they monitor. Pre 28 weeks they use a Doppler to check heart rate / beat.
28 week and over they hook you up to a computer which monitors the baby’s heart rate, your heart rate and blood pressure and then give you a little button which you press each time you feel a movement / kick etc.
Over about 30/45 minutes (depending on the machine) they will look to see if baby is meeting their “criteria” - don’t know what this is as such but obvs the midwives know what they are looking for.
At under 28 weeks it’s difficult for the ctg to pick up the heartbeat so that’s generally why they aren’t used before that point.
I was in today for reduced movements, baby went on a mad one the minute she hooked me up! Typical! Better to be safe than sorry though!