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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Baby's movements

17 replies

alasia · 07/07/2007 14:54

Hi, I've got a question about keeping a check on your baby's movements...

I saw my midwife on wednesday and I mentioned the baby hadn't been moving as much - still at least 10 times a day, but I'm not feeling them as strongly and they're not AS often (last week for example, he was moving almost constantly). My MW said I need to keep an eye on it, and if I notice anymore changes to go to the hospital or phone her.

The thing is, firstly I'm not sure what counts as the 10 movements - for example, if the baby 'squirms' 3 times in a row, does that count as three seperate movements, or one? And what about hiccups - do they count as movement?

Also 10 times a day doesn't seem like much - what if the baby moves once or twice very early in the morning, then has another little burst very late at night - there would still be the '10 times a day' quota but with a huge period of rest/non movement in between; is that still normal?

Ooh, just thought of another question, sorry! I haven't felt or noticed the baby moving all day today, apart from some slight squirming (very faint) when I was sitting at the pc and leant forwards, and then when I started to write this post and was thinking about the baby moving, I felt some slight movements. Why is this - is it actually the baby moving, or am I imagining it? Seems weird that he only seems to be moving when I'm thinking about it...

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Original poster

alasia · 07/07/2007 14:57

Thought of something else - a few weeks ago, the baby used to start moving or kick/push back whenever I prodded my stomach or palpated my bump to try and get him to move.

Now, it seems to take a lot more to 'wake him up and I can be walking around, lying down, poking my tummy and shaking my bump (gently! hehe) for ages before I feel a movement. Any ideas why?

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monicker · 07/07/2007 15:25

How pregnant are you? Towards the end of pregnancy they do sleep for longer periods. If you feel worried, get advice, don't worry too much about when the movements are or are not, if you don't feel them for a while (and sitting quietly for twenty minutes doesn't help) then call the MW and they will happily monitor you at the hospital. Everyone goes through this paranoia btw, it's entirely normal - I went to the hospital at least twice a week for six months .

jabuti · 07/07/2007 16:50

hi alasia

anything you feel, whether is wiggle, or a kick, counts as a movement.

that happened to me a month ago and i just went straight to the hospital. i hadnt felt the baby moving for a whole evening and the next morning. they were very helpful and monitored me for 2 hours. it turned out the baby was back to back and with an anterior placenta it made all the movements very mufled.

i would not hesitate to call mw or go to the hospital if you are worried, they wont talk you out of it, they know its important to check on baby's movements.

Princesspowersparkle · 07/07/2007 16:59

A trip to the hospital is bound to get LO moving so if you have any doubts or worries go to the hospital and they will be happy to monitor you.
I had to do this the other week and as soon as was hooked LO decided to have a little rave and keep moving away from the monitor!!

RE: the baby moving when you think about it- its probably because you don't notice it when you are busy. This happens a lot.

PurpleLostPrincess · 07/07/2007 17:05

Hi, I worry about the exact same thing especially having had m/c's in the past...

This LO tends to have a couple of days of loads of activity and then a couple of quiet days where I only get a few wriggles. Today, she seems really quiet but then I get a sudden kick but I feel it inside rather than outside ifkwim. Could it be that your LO is facing inwards rather than outwards? I find that the 'inner' kicks are harder to detect than the 'outer' ones - am I being a bit loopy here?

I think they say to have something to eat and a cold drink and lie on your side for an hour to see what happens but somebody else might have more accurate info.

Of course, as everybody else says, a trip to the hospital could be in order for your own peace of mind...

PLP xx

RGPargy · 07/07/2007 17:13

I'm really paranoid about my baby's movements too (or lack of them). I'm 19+4 and have only ever felt two kicks and that was a good couple of weeks ago. The rest of the time it's been bubble-like movements. But now I'm not sure that that's what i'm feeling. I haven't decided if it's my digestive system on the go or the baby moving.

I've tried prodding, laying still, cold drinks etc but nothing seems to really get him/her going.

I'm trying not to worry as, although this is my second pg, it's been 17 years since i was pg last so i'm treating this as a first pg, IYSWIM. This would mean that i wouldn't feel movements til about 20 weeks anyway, especially being on the large side.

I do see a definite bump which changes to either the left or the right side of my tummy and then sometimes it disappears completely. In my mind, this is the back of the baby and it is kicking inwards, which is why i cant feel it.

Am i going barmy or should i be concerned at all??

monicker · 07/07/2007 20:10

RGPargy - I wouldn't worry, they are mischievous little monkeys who only jig around in the presence of midwives, some of them. My DD didn't move for seven hours until the consultant was called. He got too close and she kicked him in the face through the bump.

I bought a doppler in the end to save me on parking fees at the hospital

RGPargy · 07/07/2007 22:42

Thanx Monicker, but it's not jsut a few hours. We're talking a couple of weeks here. I'm probably worrying over nothing tho.

Miaou · 07/07/2007 22:48

RG - bear in mind that, as you say, it is essentially like having a first pg again in terms of when you might feel movements. Also, it is possible that you might have an anterior placenta (at the front) - I had one when pg with ds, and it really did interfere with how I felt movements (ie didn't feel them much until much later than I expected) - simply because there is this great lump of meat in the way

Obviously if you are worried, then do get it checked out - but tbh unless you are already feeling regular movements, then suddenly feeling none, I wouldn't worry too much (if you can help it!)

doyouwantfrieswiththat · 07/07/2007 22:53

glass of cold water should get you some noticeable wriggling, but ds moved less as he got bigger because he had less room...they really do take these things very seriously so phone your midwife if only to put your mind at rest.

I also bought an ultrasound doobrey & had a listen every now and again.

RGPargy · 07/07/2007 22:55

Hi Miaou

I'm not completely worried really, as i'm still feeling bubbly movements (at least i think it's the baby!). I have no idea about having an anterior placenta. It's a possibility. I have a scan in a couple of weeks so i'm sure everything will be fine. I think, more than anything, i'm being impatient because i know this is my second pg so i'm stamping my feet a bit at wanting to feel movement earlier lol.

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 07/07/2007 22:59

I am very tempted to get a do it yourself ultrasound but worry if i would know what i was looking for?

I am having stressful preg and was at EPU yesterday as I am 19 weeks and have felt nothing.

I had a stillbirth 2 years ago at 25 weeks and first signs were the movements stopping.

Anyhow EPU told me everything fine,i heard heartbeat and it seems my placenta is anterior (at front) so cushioning movements (plus this is now 3rd preg so I also have a few cushions of own )

Miaou · 07/07/2007 23:00

LOL, remember it well! They may not mention the where the placenta is at the scan unless you ask specifically as it has no real impact (however it can make it tricky for the m/w to locate the heartbeat at times if the baby is hiding behind it ). Bubbly feelings are good

RGPargy · 07/07/2007 23:10

My midwife did have to chase the baby around alot to hear the heartbeat at my 16 week appointment. As she was chasing him/her around, she heart the sound of movement too and asked if i felt it, to which i replied "no not really - only something very slight". Hmmm maybe an anteria placenta is the problem here. Either that or it's just my own cushioning that's stopping me feeling anything.....

RGPargy · 07/07/2007 23:17

Sorry i meant heard the sound of movement, not heart lol.

ara · 08/07/2007 09:04

Hi RG
this is my first, and i have literally only had movements since wednesday (am 21 weeks today) after worrying just like you - had felt a little bump in my tummy about 2.5 weeks ago and pulled over to phone DP, but then after that - nothing!
I got in from work this week and felt an unmistakeable squirming and was v relieved. All the baby books and sites i had been reading said lots of women can feel their babies starting from quite early (one said 10 weeks - most said around 16) so i was worrying too.
It's moving a lot now though, but i STILL haven't got a bump - nobody can tell i'm preg by looking at me - just thicker than normal. sigh!

RGPargy · 08/07/2007 10:27

Hi ara

I do think i'm worrying about nothing because my DP and I have been speculating at how my little bump in my bump moves from one side of my tummy to the other, or disappears completely so i'm sure everything is fine

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