Totally absent movements

[Thesepreciousthings]

Currently 32(ish) weeks and feeling quite crap.

I have been going for daily monitoring since I was 26 weeks due to pretty much absent movements. I can count the movements I’ve felt since pretty much on 1 hand. Been having fortnightly growth scans and was already consultant led due to other medical problems.

CTG picks up tons of movement, growth scan shows he’s going to be a chunk and even midwives are surprised that they don’t feel jabs or kicks from the outside (I’m a size 10-12 if that helps).

I asked the midwife today if she thinks I’ll ever really feel anything and she said that by this stage, probably not.

I felt very sad when we first started going for daily monitoring, like I was letting the baby down and failing at pregnancy. This and other issues relating to a pre-existing mental health condition led to an admission to the mother and baby mental health unit where I still am today. I’ve been advised to have a planned caesarean, I might not be able breastfeed and I’m losing this time I could be with my partner that I may never get back. I guess I’m feeling sad and sorry that so many normal/nice/exciting parts of pregnancy and childbirth are being taken away from me. Totally exacerbated by this total lack of movement and all the feelings that creates.

I guess having given all the background info - has anyone else had basically no movement for most of their pregnancy? Or had daily monitoring? Or just generally able to impart some wisdom/advice?

Also, I have an anterior placenta.

I had an anterior placenta with my last pregnancy, and although I did feel enough movement not to be monitored - I didn't feel as much as I did with my previous children.

Although things are not going as you planned, it sounds as if you are being well looked after. Please try not to be hard on yourself, even though I know it's easy for me to say.

I had virtually daily monitoring with my now 8 month old due to poor measurements and my high BP. I had a growth scan or chord flow scan weekly (rotating) and went to the MAU at least 3 times a week. It felt like I was always there TBH. Sometimes I would see a community midwife to. I tried to see the positives - free extra scans and lots of times hearing her heart beat. It was a stressful time though so my heart goes out to you. DD moved a lot and pushed a lot of blood flow to her brain but her general growth was poor from 30 weeks. My consultant said that if a baby is a bit stressed then you tend get 2 out of 3 so DD had chosen to be brainy and active but waited until after birth for most of her growing. Have they identified any reason for your lack of movements or is it the placenta? Try and focus on the time when it's all been and gone, and you and baby are back home together, safe and well. You will get there. My MH was bad after 30 weeks to the stress really didnt help me or baby. I would encourage you to seek specialist counselling when you can as that has really helped me.

Pregnancy isn't wonderful for everyone. Lots of people have dreadful pregnancies. You are not alone. You are being looked after and monitored. You are nearly there. Hang in there.

I had an anterior placenta with my 2nd baby and the movements were much less noticeable than with my 1st. It was a bit disappointing to miss out on them.

Thank you to everyone so far.

I am so incredibly grateful for how well I am being looked after by maternity services. I get a lot of specialist MH care too which can help.

I just want to experience something ‘normal’. Not wonderful, just something I guess - an intuitive reminder that my baby is ok. Everyday I feel a build up of fear that something is wrong because yet again I have felt nothing. I get scared that I can’t keep him safe and he’s not even been born.

They haven’t yet been able to identify why there is next to no movement. Everything seems to be ok in terms of growth and heart rate etc.

Sorry if I sound woe is me. I am so upset tonight and I feel very isolated.

I just wanted you to know that it's normal for some women not to feel movements at all. My cousin has never felt any movement at all with either of her two pregnancies right up until the end even, but both babies were completely fine. I know you feel like you're missing out on something, but just think that as long as your baby is fine and healthy, then that's all that matters. And soon they'll be with you kicking and squirming away on the outside!

Don't have a complete absence of movements but currently 29 weeks with DC2 and this one just barely seems to move. Had an anterior placenta with DC1 but felt her all the time and with this one its posterior but just seems to be a much quieter baby. It's certainly a worry so I can sympathise with you there. You're so close though, try to stay positive that you will be cuddling your baby very soon