reduced movement

[Hopex3]

hi all,

I'm actually in tears I'm so stressed about this right now. I have already been in for reduced movements 3 times and I'm only 28 +6. placenta is anterior so they said I will probs end up having to go in again at some point but I literally only went in on Thursday then had a growth scan Friday. all was fine but I haven't really felt her move again today bar the odd squirm but no proper thumps if you get what I mean. my questions are how many times did you go in with reduced movement? secondly what, if anything, will they do if I continue to have to go in? I have my own straps for the trace machine at this point, my anxiety over this is really starting to get out of proportion :( x

Think it's a difficult situation. I have had both very healthy pregnancies and one that ended in the worse case scenarios you can imagine. So whilst I would also say it's best to get checked out, 99 out of 100 reduced movements is going to be fine, I have also been that 1 in 100.

Has your baby been in a routine regarding movement yet? If not then perhaps it's difficult to establish when baby is awake.

Try drinking super cold ice water and laying down still in a quiet environment may help alleviate your fears, then perhaps invest in a Doppler, but then an anterior placenta won't help so much.

Are you overweight (sorry no offence meant) sometimes this can be even more of a reason that you may not feel quite so much movement.

Hope this helps a little

I'm really sorry to hear that, must of been horrible. I just feel so stressed as I dont know what they'll do, whether at this point they just hook you up and do the trace again or if they'll put some kind of plan in place going forward or if they'll tell me to continue ringing up every time I dont feel anything properly. I just feel so upset and worried about this and not sure how I'm going to deal with it for the next 11 weeks if I go to due date. she has not established a proper routine yet no which makes it even worse as I dont even know when to keep an eye out for movement or when/if shes missed times she normally would. so so stressed x

not long after I posted that I have had a few thuds so I guess will keep an eye out. It's hard to know if I've had genuine reduced movements or not with her due to lack of pattern etc x

You might find that as baby gets bigger you will be able to feel more, and a routine will become more clear, and that will take some stress away, but in the meantime if you're worried at all, call your maternity unit and go and get checked. Every single time. They will see you and check you and baby over, as many times as is necessary to make sure all is well. And I promise, they will not be annoyed that you're coming in so often. They'd rather see you 100 times and everything be fine every single time, than not see you once and there be something wrong. As you get further down the line they may discuss inducing you if there are a lot of episodes of reduced movements, but that is a discussion your midwife will go through with you if they think it's needed. In the meantime talk to your midwife, ask them what might happen if you get a lot of reduced movement episodes, and possibly see if there is any additional support they can offer to help you with the anxiety and stress. Your mental health is as important as your physical health, don't be afraid to ask for help.

My midwife told me the other day that it's advised to lay on your left hand side for an hour and drink ice cold drinks.

I'm 27 weeks. She was concerned that some days I'd have more movement than others. But my patterns seems to be he's overly active for a few days then there will be a day of less and it'll start again.

You just have to trust your gut instinct. Having an anterior placenta doesn't help. I'd keep track of what the pattern is.

thanks - I keep telling myself not to feel like I'm being a pest and that I'd rather be seen as annoying or a hypochondriac then anything be wrong. it's just really quite upsetting :( and it worries me it has already been 3 times. however, those instances weren't ever actual reduced movements it was more I couldn't feel them. we saw her moving on the scan and kicking but I couldnt feel any of it and I just dont get why. I do suffer with anxiety really badly anyway and this really doesnt help :( x

As @katmarie has said, I have always been advised that no matter how many episodes you have you should ALWAYS go in and be monitored. Currently 36 weeks with DC2, I’ve been lucky this time so far that I’ve only had one episode of reduced movement however with my DD I was literally in the maternity unit near enough every week. I always felt worried or that I was being a pest but every single midwife said the same thing that they would always rather be safe than sorry

thank you - did they ever give you a reason why or talk about early inducement because of it? my aunt has worried me now and said once you go a certain amount of times that may be something they start looking at. just feel like it's going to be a long 2 months. really hoping her movements will become more obvious once she gets bigger 🤞

I thought an anterior placenta made it harder, too. Definitely stop and lie down for a while, and do try to relax. Then call if you still feel the need.

@Hopex3 I really do feel your pain. When I was pregnant with DS I had anterior placenta and so many reduced movement episodes it was unreal. I called triage every single time and every time they saw me he was fine but I can't even imagine how I would have felt if I'd not gone and something had been wrong. (I also had my own straps, think they're still in my bag 🙈) The maternity ward where I live are amazing and said never to feel like a burden just go down, so that's my advice!

DS is now 9 days old and sleeping on my chest as I write this so please try not to worry, as said above I'm sure everything is fine but in my eyes it isn't worth the risk!!

They monitored me more closely because of the amount of reduced movements and I had a scan and Doppler every week (Doppler weekly and scan 2 weekly) from around 30 weeks, had an episode of RFM at 37 weeks and we decided to go for induction at that point (he also had fluid on a kidney, high PI readings and they thought his weight gain had stopped - he was much bigger than expected 😂) so I'm sure they will just keep a closer eye on you but I completely get how difficult it is. I found DS never had a pattern which made things worse, but I did buy a kicks count band which I found helped, think it was about £6 with delivery so that might help you too? Xx

I was always just monitored and everything was always fine and I left feeling embarrassed as it seemed like another waste of their time! However I would say that on the final occasion we went in At 36+2 they asked the doc to come in and check me over before I went home and I was 4cm dilated

Try not to worry, I think they really just take it each visit at a time and if there was anything to worry about they would action it. The fact you have had a growth scan (I had one last week too ) and they are happy to let you keep going can only be a positive sign

I have been in 15 times (ish!) this pregnancy and now that I’m 39 weeks, I’m going in everyday for ctgs just to monitor.

I’ve had growth scans since 30 weeks as well due to RM. However, every scan and ctg has been absolutely normal and they’re not worried. I do have an anterior placenta and my MW has just said that some women struggle to feel movement the whole pregnancy. There are other women in my MAU who are also being monitored weekly due to RM so it’s not totally uncommon. My anxiety however has been through the roof so my one tip to you is to go in whenever you’re worried as it’s the only thing that will reassure you, DONT worry that you’re being a pain (they’d rather see you 100 times and everything be fine then miss the one time there may have been a problem. And maybe try some techniques like hypnobreathing to help you relax. 😊

ah I'm glad to hear all worked out for you! I think I'm gonna give it until after dinner and see how I feel as I have felt a few thumps since. the problem is once I've started panicking about her movement going to the hospital seems like the only thing that calms me down! will have a bath nd some food and see how I feel a bit later on and for now try and reassure myself I have atleast felt her x

You are right to keep going in and they will likely tell you to keep going in if you suspect reduced movement. It likely is all fine but you're not trained to know if it is or it isn't and they are. You wouldn't know without their help.

As far as they're aware, this is the plan and will be the plan going forward too. Only if they suspect something at one of your check ups or if you go to be monitored and they find something will that change. There's no need for intervention if everything is good.

If you do have worries though then don't panic about calling them. They're paid to answer questions and help you through pregnancy.

No one person is more important than the other so they will always have time for you even if they seem busy.

Hope this helps.

thank you - I will see how it goes for next few hours and if I'm still panicking I will ring. I guess its more important for my mental health/baby to hopefully get reassurance then sit at home having an anxiety attack over it :( x

Always get checked. I had an anterior placenta and thought I was being daft as the first 4 times (27-29 weeks) all was fine, 2 days after I was last checked I was in again at 29 weeks, flow had gone into reverse in the cord (it was normal 2 days earlier) and they had him out within 2 hours. I felt fine and I'm incredibly glad I didn't give in to my fear of being seen as a time waster as I wouldn't have my son with me if I had.

thank you, I will give them a call in a little while if I still dont feel comfortable x

glad all okay with your son now x

Always get checked, if something adverse is happening the sooner they know the better as something may be able to be done.

Sorry I'm going to disagree with a PP and say absolutely don't get a doppler. This is the worst situation to get a doppler because false reassurance is exactly what you don't want. You want to listen to that nagging voice and get checked, and ignore the one that says you're being a pain or making a fuss etc.

Call them, and at your next midwife appointment ask her if she can refer you for any support with your anxiety if this is bothering you a lot. It's a pain to keep going up and down to the hospital but it is the best preventative thing you can do.

If they do decide to induce early, it won't be because you've gone up too many times. They would only do that if they felt that your baby would be safer on the outside than in. They would discuss this decision with you and give you information about why they felt it was the right course of action. You also have the right to refuse any intervention, although obviously it would usually be best to follow medical advice. Your aunt is being a bit unhelpful if she is presenting this as some kind of warning.

thank you, I think it's because her growth scan on Friday was fine I was thinking is it necessary to go down but reading PP situation with her son shows you I guess that cant ever assume these things just cos it was okay before x

Don't stress yourself. You are doing the right thing by calling. They don't care if you go in 100 times as it's more important to ensure that baby is safe.
If you ever worry then call and remember to talk to your midwife about your worries at your next appointment. I expect they will provide some sound advice and support.

I had an anterior placenta last time and found that I felt very little movement at all even right at the end. I never got thumps and jabs, more squirming but I got used to the squirming pattern and if I had something sweet or fizzy I'd manage to force a squirm to know all was OK.

With DS2 I was in at least 2-3 time a week because I just couldn't feel him ever. My placenta was right over the front and massive blocked everything! They always said come in no matter what.

I was induced because of RFM and a growth scan showed he's stopped growing at 38 weeks but my consultant said to me before that that although RFM can trigger induction I they only do it if they feel it's reached a necessary point. So even if you've been in 10 times as long as they're happy with the CTG and growth scan results they'll leave you as long as possible. If for any reason they think That movement is becoming reduced and baby is in danger they'll talk about induction

Turns out my DS2 has the cord wrapped tightly round his neck about 5 times so they think that caused some of the issues.

Sorry - I should have been more clear, I didn't use a Doppler at home, it was done in hospital ☺️ I'd never do it at home, I'd only do it wrong and make myself worse! The Doppler was used to measure the PI from the umbilical cord and something to do with the placenta (I'm still not 100% sure sorry!!) But we had 4 readings over 4 weeks that were all higher than normal so that along with the RFM and 'low weight' (he was 6lb 14 at 37+5!) we felt it was the right choice to make.

It was a no brainer to be induced for us with the combination of (possible) things that could have been wrong with him, but you don't have to be induced, they can only advise. I was induced at 37+2 and he was born at 37+5. They offered us more monitoring but it was going to be daily and I worried the stress off all the appointments (I was already going every week) would be worse so you've got to just take it as it comes and make the right decision for you if it comes to it, but if they do suggest induction it'll be because they think it's the right choice imo xx

I went in over 10 times from 25 weeks until 37 weeks. Please please go in if you are worried. A plan wasn't made for me until 37 weeks when I had a growth scan which showed our son was small and I was induced at 38 weeks. Ease your anxiety by reassuring yourself that you are doing the right thing by being checked over. Midwives encouraged me to go in and I felt much more comfortable knowing that I wasn't being a pain to them xxx