Fixated on movements

[CathyandHeathcliff]

I’m 26+3 and becoming fixated/obsessed with movements. I think about it from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed and I’m convinced something bad is going to happen. I just can’t see a happy ending at all.

I have pre existing anxiety and OCD and I think the pregnancy is sending me off the rails. I’m obsessed with movements and at work I find myself unable to concentrate until I’ve felt a kick or movement. I go into the toilet and sit there for 10 mins or more sometimes just waiting, in the quiet for a movement. I’ve even started stealing ice poles from the freezer at school (not stealing, just borrowing!) I work in a primary school. And sucking on those to try and get a movement or two. I already had health anxiety before, so I’m used to these checking behaviours, they never get any easier though 😔 I’m under the perinatal mental health team and see the mental health Midwife.

It doesn’t help when you are constantly bombarded with information about how important kick counts are and tracking movements etc. I understand how important it all is, but it’s quiye frankly, terrifying.
This is how I used to feel going into a doctor’s surgery and seeing posters for cancer symptoms etc.

I went through a phase of worrying about movements constantly around the weeks you are now, I honestly think every woman probably does! It's a lot of responsibility to have when only you can feel what's going on.
I would speak to your midwife about this, see if they have any suggestions to maybe put your mind at ease?

@CathyandHeathcliff, I have been the same re movements. I am 32+5 and still don’t seem to have this pattern they keep telling me to look out for, every day the movements seem to differ so I’m never too sure whether my movements are ok or not.

I mentioned it to my MW and she just said to follow the guidelines, have gone for monitoring and booked private scans just to reassure myself. Yesterday I had a growth scan and sonographer commented on how much baby was moving about, but I wasn’t feeling any or it so now I realise baby might very well be moving loads and I’m just not feeling it. I also discussed the lack of pattern with her and she said it was still a bit early for a definite pattern and that just confused me even more.

I know none of this is very helpful, but just wanted to reassure you that you are not alone with this worrying, I understand your anxiety problems will make this even worse for you, but I do understand where your coming from and if you feel the need to be monitored just contact your assessment unit, they will understand too