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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Lack of baby movements

127 replies

KyraK · 10/12/2019 22:34

Hi ladies,
I’m at my wits end, and I’m hoping that someone here can shed some light on this issue.
Im pregnant with baby number three, and didn’t feel movements with this one until 21 weeks.
At my 26 week check my midwife asked me about movements, and I told her I barely feel any.
I was sent for an emergency scan and the baby did not move at all.
Fast forward to now, I am 35 weeks pregnant. The last nine weeks I’ve had numerous scans, CTG’s and been admitted overnight twice.
There have been five ultrasounds where baby doesn’t move. At all. Literally, all you see is the heartbeat.
None of the doctors know why, and because the heart/lungs/brain/placenta are all fine, they can’t understand what’s going on. I keep being told ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’
I’m beside myself and was hoping there was someone here with a similar story who has a happy ending to share?
xx

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Nanmumandmidwife · 10/12/2019 22:38

Have you seen a fetal medicine specialist? It is certainly very unusual to see no movements on scans. I would suggest pushing for an expert review if you haven't already had one

Original poster

KyraK · 10/12/2019 22:43

Hi, thank you for the reply. I’m under the care of a consultant, but her words last week were ‘you have no risk factors for stillbirth, so I’m not concerned that the baby doesn’t move.’

I don’t know what else to do? I’ve tried to do my own research, but there doesn’t seem to be anything related to why a baby doesn’t move much in utero.

People have said ‘oh well, just a lazy baby’ but I don’t think that’s the answer.

OP posts:

RandomMess · 10/12/2019 22:46

Gosh I can completely understand why you are worried and frustrated, the medics don't sound particularly supportive

Starlight456 · 10/12/2019 22:47

I would ask for a second opinion .

Nanmumandmidwife · 10/12/2019 22:49

Where are you? That does not sound like an appropriate response. There are a number of issues I would be considering with a baby that doesn't move.
Have you ever seen baby moving all 4 limbs?
PM me if you want to. I think you are right to feel concerned about your little one

LotteLupin · 10/12/2019 22:52

Has no movement of the baby ever been seen or felt? Or have you felt some movement but just very slight?

SirVixofVixHall · 10/12/2019 22:55

I was going to ask the same question, is there sometimes movement, but not in every scan ?

Original poster

KyraK · 10/12/2019 23:03

I have felt the baby move, but they are very slight. On 5/7 scans the baby hasn’t moved at all. Nothing, not even a hand movement. The baby’s legs were crossed and hand above head, which she said looked really uncomfortable.

The sonographer today said she hasn’t seen anything like it, and a guy from Kings said ‘passive baby, with hardly any movement, and that the slight movement seen couldn’t be felt with the probe’ He then went on to say that the heart etc is all fine, so to keep having CTGs and scans, but ultimately they don’t know what’s causing it.

I don’t know if I should be pushing for a different pathway? At present I’m having weekly ultrasounds, and twice weekly CTG monitoring. They have said they want to keep baby in there for at least a few more weeks. But every day the stress and worry is just overwhelming.

I’m in SE Kent/London border.

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Original poster

KyraK · 10/12/2019 23:04

And on the other two scans, it was noted that movements were ‘minimal’

OP posts:

SirVixofVixHall · 10/12/2019 23:15

Are they looking into why ? It sounds as though they are monitoring you, but nothing else ?
I can understand it must be worrying and stressful when you have no answers at all. Can you badger your consultant for a further opinion ?
Are they planning to deliver the baby slightly early ?

Iala3 · 10/12/2019 23:20

My DD2 was like this, I went on to have daily CTG's and extra scans. I was beside myself with worry too but they refused to induce me when one day I saw a different consultant and without me asking them they agreed to induce during week 38. She's absolutely perfect and full of energy.

Nanmumandmidwife · 10/12/2019 23:22

I will PM you

anon2000000000 · 10/12/2019 23:24

There was a post year last year with a woman who was concerned about her baby not moving on scans. Will see if I can find it for you.

SirVixofVixHall · 10/12/2019 23:25

I would really push to see someone else. When my dd had scans that showed abnormal measurements, my consultant, who was absolutely lovely, made a call and got me seen by a European expert within a few days. Thankfully all was fine. I had a very long and very detailed scan, and it was hugely reassuring.
Could you be referred to an expert in fetal medicine as a pp has suggested ? Great Ormond Street ?
I don’t think it is fair that they are just shrugging their shoulders and giving you weekly scans.

Original poster

KyraK · 10/12/2019 23:28

They don’t seem to be worried about finding out why. The ward doctors said to me- we are worried, but we don’t know why this is happening. She said to keep baby there until 37 weeks if possible. When I was admitted the doctor there said I should have injections to mature baby’s lungs, then the next doctor on rounds said no. So I’m feeling so confused.

My midwife however has been amazingly supportive; she feels I should be induced at 38 weeks. I am seeing the consultant again next week, so I guess I shall have to see what her opinion is.

I’m really relieved to hear that you had a lovely outcome lala, that’s really reassuring

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Iala3 · 10/12/2019 23:33

It was an incredibly stressful time. I remember hearing about people who had gone in for reduced movements twice and being induced despite baby moving on the monitors. I'm not exaggerating when I say I ended up with metres of ctg trace which was basically just a flat line because there was no variability because she wasn't moving and id think why on Earth aren't you getting my baby out like every one else's! I think in the immediate I'd ask for daily monitoring, if I remember rightly a ctg 'covers' you for 24 hours.

FelixFelicis6 · 10/12/2019 23:35

How worrying for you. I would keep pushing

Original poster

KyraK · 10/12/2019 23:39

This is exactly the same with me; I’ve been on the CTG for 2.5 hours before with no movement at all. I am at hospital again tomorrow morning, so I shall see if I can speak to someone else. I am so relived to hear that you had a happy outcome. Agreed- the most ridiculously stressful time!!

OP posts:

Iala3 · 11/12/2019 00:04

Oh I hope you get somewhere tomorrow, in hindsight I really should of been more persistent. I think I should have mentioned how much anxiety it was causing. I couldn't fault the midwifes, they used to help encourage baby to move by bringing me drinks, having a good feel of bump etc. But it was the consultant who held all the power, and all he saw was a perfectly healthy baby, just one that wasn't moving and as far as he was concerned the daily monitoring was sufficient enough.

Grandmi · 11/12/2019 00:22

My daughter had a very similar scenario and had three weekly CtG monitoring and reg scans .. She was induced at 38 weeks and was born a few days ago . She is perfect!!

3luckystars · 11/12/2019 07:38

Sorry to hear you are feeling so stressed. It's such a vulnerable time towards the end of pregnancy, I totally understand.

Can you have someone with you at your appointment and a notebook, I feel I am taken more seriously if I am writing notes about the conversations.

Write down your questions too and this will keep you on track, especially about the steroids.

If you really want to be induced, ask them to write on your notes that you are requesting an induction but are being refused. Insist they write that on your actual chart because then you will know they fully understand what you are saying.

I think a second opinion from a specialist would be a good start today, they will hopefully be able to reassure you. Best wishes today.

RandomMess · 11/12/2019 08:11

I too would be pushing for induction at 37 weeks, I would be asking them "why not", "why do you think my baby that isn't moving is safer NOT being induced when I can't use a change in movements to monitor his/her health".

happychange · 11/12/2019 08:27

Can you try for a second opinion? We went to fetal medicine centre at Harley street and dr nikoladaes is the expert in this

Original poster

KyraK · 11/12/2019 09:11

Thank you everyone for your replies, it’s lovely to have a sounding board.

I’m so pleased there have been similar situations and the result was a happy one x

OP posts:

Mintypea5 · 11/12/2019 09:15

Sounds like my DS2. We had lots of monitoring and then at 38 weeks they said growth had stopped so was induced.

For such a lazy baby inside he's now a whirlwind of energy 😅

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