35 weeks. Reduced movements. Who do I call?

[anonnancy]

Sorry this is a really stupid question.

Do I ring my community midwife or the labour suite?

I've woken up this morning and have been feeling baby move, but he is much quieter today than usual. Normally he doesn't stop rolling around or moving from one side of my tummy to the other.

Is this something I should be worrying about or is it because maybe he has moved head down?

The movement I do feel is very soft and almost "weak" compared to usual. Usually I am constantly saying "wow baby is going crazy!" But haven't thought that at all today. The other thing is he moves so much usually that I can't even say there is a pattern to his movements.... so now I feel like I've really noticed the drop today.

Am I over reacting? I hate feeling like a nuisance. I'd hate to turn up and then baby start wiggling and making me look like a time waster!

This is my first pregnancy so I'm a bit clueless!

Thanks x

You need to call the triage for any change in movements x

Yes call labour suite. They should be able to point you in the right direction, probably you'll need to go in for monitoring.

In the front of your folder should be a list of telephone numbers. You really should go and get checked out for changes in movement.

I called Triage; they picked up phone straight away and advised what to do. Hope that helps and all’s ok 😚 xx

They'd rather see you 100 times and it be nothing, than miss something

Whatever happens OP, you are not wasting anyone's time. Staff on the labour ward as well as your midwife would prefer that you and your baby are healthy.

Don't underestimate your instincts. You know your baby. It will probably be nothing but you should definitely call the Labour Ward.

You can also call your midwife if you prefer if she is easily accessible. She can check baby's heartrate and give you some reassurance.

I went to the labour ward with DC 3 at 38 weeks because I had a tummy ache and she seemed to be moving a bit less. I was worried about being a time waster and only went because DH insisted.

45 minutes later she had been delivered by emergency c-section.

I am not saying this to scare you and chances are that it will be nothing, but you are absolutely right to seek help and listen to your gut.

Let us know how it goes

Definitely get checked out. You will not be wasting anyones time.

I’d call maternity ward, they will no doubt tell you to come in.

I went in with reduced movement, I was kept in for a few days to be monitored and tested then diagnosed with Sepsis and an EMCS was performed.

They would rather you pop in to be checked than wait at home and worry, even if it ends up being nothing.

You know your baby’s movement best.

I hope you have already rang

Thanks all.

I am ringing labour Ward now and hopefully they'll point me in the right direction or tell me what I need to do.

I have felt baby move a bit since posting but nowhere near what he usually does.

I've eaten some chocolate and had some fresh orange juice already which usually perks him up a bit but it hasn't done much.

Will keep you posted

X

Insist on proper monitoring.

I agree with @RandomMess

I had to complain a lot to be monitored correctly. My baby was moving enough to tick their boxes but so much less than what I was used to. So if this is the case for you make sure you let them know.

Good luck OP, fingers crossed all is well for you

I can't even get through.

I've rang my labour suite and they cut me off mid sentence and said I need to speak to the assessment unit and transferred the call.

The phone just rang and rang and rang and eventually disconnected me 😰

Do I ring the labour suite back? Or try my midwife?

I just told them I've had reduced movements, I didn't get a chance to go into much detail about anything.

I'm feeling a bit anxious now after that Phone call !!!

Can you google number for assessment unit. Just keep calling them. Might be on other line.

Turn up somewhere you can be monitored.

@moodolph I actually work at the hospital so can access the telephone directory for all extension numbers. Half the numbers I ring say they're busy and takes me back to the main switchboard. The others just ring out.

I've tried ringing labour suite again but their ext was engaged.

I'm going to ring my midwife and see what she suggests.

Just turning up somewhere is quite difficult for me - I have real bad SPD so can't walk very far or drive anywhere, so will need a friend or relative to take me in or get a taxi x

You need to speak to the assessment unit as that is where you will be seen for reduced movements to go on the CTG

Do you know where the MAU at your hospital is? If so, go in if you can’t reach them on the phone.

I would go straight up and call on the way if you can. Always better safe than sorry.

Just go in if they're not picking up the phone

I would just go in.

You can just go in. That's what they're going to tell you to do anyway. Or you can call your community midwife who will also just tell you to go in.

Ok. I'll just go to the hospital.

I just have no idea where I'm going once I'm in maternity, but I'll just have to ask a member of staff I guess.

Thank you everyone.

X

I had to go into MAU just before my due date and I had massive problems getting through on the phone. I ended up having to just turn up on the labour ward and they took me to the MAU and demanded I was seen. So I would advise to turn up. Don't mess around with reduced movements. I went in a few times with that and was never made to feel like I was wasting anyone's time.

I never got through on the labour line number, and rarely on the units number. Hope you get to talk to someone soon and everything is okay