Daft movements question

[firsttimemum090]

My baby moves almost constantly. Sometimes, I think she's moving less but then when I put my hands on my bump, I feel her kick within a few moments. Other times it seems she has busier or quieter days, but it's the same, if I put my hands on my bump I feel her kick almost immediately. Is this decreased movements? I'm not sure I understand when to worry. Sorry to be thick, just want what's best for my baby xx

Disclaimer: if you are at all concerned, ring your assessment unit

My baby does have quieter and busier days. I'm better aware now of how what I do affects him. If I have a big meal for example then he tends to go to sleep (no carveries for me!!). Interestingly he doesn't move if I touch my bump - which makes it fun for DP! Just know her pattern and if it changes then you need to take action.

Thank you orangejuicer. I reckon that's a bit of the proble, she doesn't seem to have a proper pattern IYSWIM, so I can't really tell when something's changed as she's nearly always active and if she goes quiet (or I think she does) I generally can feel her move within a few minutes xx

For me it has been when it's been a few hours and I really haven't felt her and then I start to worry. I may feel the odd stir but I know she's definitely been quieter for a while and that it's not normal so I call my midwife. It's happened 6 times now in my pregnancy and she's been fine each time but it's so worth getting checked out.

Well if she’s moving within moments of you putting your hands on your bump I wouldn’t call that ‘decreased movements’, no.
However if you’re ever worried then get checked out.

Babies definitely sleep and their patterns probably change in utero just like out. I was hooked up to a CTG yesterday and the day before. The first time it took only 8 min for the machine to be satisfied because he was moving around. The second time took almost an hour because he was asleep for the first 40min so no accelerations! Doesn't mean anything is wrong necessarily.

If she is constantly moving and moves of you put your hand on your bump I wouldn’t be classing this as decreased movements. She will need a break to sleep every so often. DD never got into a pattern but the MW said that as long as I was happy with her movements then not to worry. Unfortunately DD was not the most active and I ended up in hospital several times and she was described as a ‘sleepy baby’ 🙄 she was delivered at 34 weeks as they really weren’t happy with her! All is well now though.

I think what I’m trying to say is if you are EVER slightly worried go and get checked. It doesn’t take them long to hook you up to the ctg and reassure you/act on what they find

Thank you all! Just can't seem to grasp what might be normal as she moves constantly. Was a bit worried this morning as was up for a wee and felt like she was shaking or fitting for a minute or so, then relaxed. Hadn't had that in a bit, seems she has been more smooth in the past weeks. Was a bit jerky a few weeks back. But now been back to normal all day since. Been having a wee google and sounds like she might have just changed positions?

How far along are you ?

@HellaFresh I'm 33+2

Ah okay. I’ve seen some people worry at 17 weeks and although midwifes are always there for you I feel sorry for people worrying too early.

That said I’m never useful on that score because my placenta is at the back and I’ve felt movement from 16 weeks and it now 25.

I have some days of not much at all but my hospital don’t want you to worry until 28 weeks when you start counting kicks.

So I’m never sure on these things.

Forgive me but I’m 35 and I don’t know what was recommended to mothers when I was born so I asked my mum and counting kicks was a thing then (don’t laugh at me) and apparently at about 34 weeks I didn’t move for 3 days.

My mum didn’t want to bother anyone.

3 days!

Oh well, I’m alive anyway

Sorry to be thick, but I still can't understand when I should ring for help or go in. (Certainly won't wait three days though, your poor mum )

Baby was quiet again this morning but now picked up again with big punches and kicks. Sometimes feel a bit softer than usual but also some quite strong ones that shake my whole bump. Is it possible that as she gets bigger I just feel her differently?

Because i don’t know from experience, I tell you what I would do - ring and see what they think.

If you look on the kicks count website or NHS I think they ask you to monitor movements over an hour or two (can’t quite remember) and it’s 10 movements within that time.

If you’re worried then call a midwife always but from my experience of being induced for rfm then what you’ve put wouldn’t have concerned me.

The baby isn’t going to do the same thing every single day. They don’t do that either in the womb or out of the womb. Kicks will feel different depending on what position they’re in, and simply just how much they’re wriggling. If you are feeling regular strong movements then chances are it’s fine. Movements tend to get more vigorous as the baby gets bigger/stronger, but you will still feel softer movements when they’re just having a little yawn and stretch, for example.
Of course if you’re concerned then phone.

Thank you all. I've downloaded the kicks count app via the NHS website and my baby seems to be moving loads, she had ten kicks in under ten munites. Would feel like a loon to ring the unit when I can see her bouncing around through my bump, even if she did seem to move less today. I reckon she's just had a more chilled day?

Just to chip in that it’s not ten movements anymore, they ask you to monitor what is usual for your baby (as could be more or less than ten)
If you are concerned please do call them. They would rather put your mind at ease x

@MynameisJune, what did reduced movements feel like in your experience when your were induced?

For me I couldn’t feel her at all, did everything they said. I monitored for 2 hrs, ate something sugary, drank something cold, laid on my left hand side and absolutely nothing.

Thank you @MynameisJune, quite helpful. Baby's been alright today so I reckon she was just having a quiet couple of days xx