Lack of baby movements

[KyraK]

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

How are you?

@KyraK above message was for you- how are you doing?

Hi-
Thank you for the message.
I’m now having to go to hospital every day for CTGs, as baby is moving even less. The midwives want me induced this weekend at 37 weeks, but it’s down to the consultant. I am seeing her this afternoon. I’ve been given strict instructions by the midwives to be totally frank with the consultant and not to be fobbed off.......
X

Just read the whole thread, just wanted to say best of luck. I can’t imagine the stress

I am so glad the midwives are fighting your corner. I would be tempted to tell the consultant today that you are not leaving without your baby under the circumstances that having a baby that rarely moves is not "normal" and the pattern has changed to moving less and the NICE guidelines are clear that a change in a pattern of movement can be the main indicator that something is wrong.

I wish you all the best

Keep strong

Best of luck for today. Trust your instincts and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.

Just wanted to add best of luck to you with the consultant. What a frustrating and worrying situation for you

You need a paediatrician at the birth also. Good luck.

Hi all,
So they want to induce me at 38 weeks, as they are saying that studies show babies born at 37 weeks have more respiratory issues etc. She said it’s a fine balance between risking leaving the baby in for another week, and not delivering too early.
She said in the meantime, come back for ctg monitoring if I’m worried about movements. I said ‘But i worry every day, that’s the whole point I’m here!’
She said that if there is a problem causing baby not to move, the problem will be there whenever I give birth, and him not moving isn’t enough of a reason to induce at 37 weeks.
We came away feeling totally confused to be honest : (
X

So sorry you are going through this. I know it’s so stressful. I’m so surprised that they are not pushing ahead and inducing you. I had several episodes of reduce movement and was induced at 37 weeks 6 days due to the reduce movement episodes. I also had growth acans each week. Yours sound a lot more reduced than what mine were - I’m not sure how you are managing. I really feel for you. It’s great they are monitoring it all for you but very surprised the consultant isn’t pushing to get the baby out :-/ I hope you’re ok and baby is ok when the induction does take place.

So they want to wait another week ? Gosh OP this is horrendous, I am so sorry you are going through all this stress. I was born at 33 weeks in the 1960s and I was fine, in an incubator for six weeks but otherwise all ok.
Have they given you a date ? I am very surprised that they want to leave it so long when the movements are lessening.

I think you need a second opinion tbh.

She also said- you have every right to be concerned, we cannot guarantee that baby will be born healthy, and we will have a neonatal team on standby.

So all of that was said, but she still wouldn’t induce me this weekend. I’m going to pop up and speak to the midwives tomorrow and ask for a second opinion x

It does seem that they do have concerns but those concerns are not about the placenta failing or it causing reduced movements. Rather they think there could be something else causing it.

I don't understand how they can be so dismissive of the baby not moving. Surely it's better to get baby out so they can offer proper care instead of just checking scans on a daily basis.
I think you need to take this further, I think you need to demand you speak to the head of department and refuse to leave till you do so.
I'm so sorry they are causing you this much stress and worry. X

I actually think what they said makes sense. If baby is going to be born with problems then why risk the possibility of more problems by inducing early. If there is a problem, getting the baby out early isn't going to solve that problem only add to it. The only problem early induction is going to help is your stress and worry because finally you will know what is or isn't going on with the baby. As horrible as this time must be for you, and I literally can't imagine how unbearable this wait is... It seems in the baby's best interest that you do.

My second child didn't move much. She would kick but not move her body. She does have some issues but the doctors don't know if she has them because she didn't move or didn't move because she had them.

I nearly lost my first child because of a bitch of a midwife and I wish so much that mums wouldn't feel bad about going in for checks when it is their baby's life at stake.

Good luck today OP

Thinking of you OP, and hoping that all is in place for the birth now.

Hi,

Induction booked for this coming Saturday, when I will be 38 weeks. I’ve got a sweep booked for this Thursday (Boxing day!!) too. I held on to my last two babies until 42 weeks, as did my sister and mum. We cook babies for a long time!! So I’m not holding out much hope for the sweep.

I’m really worried to be honest, as baby’s head isnt engaged. I saw the midwife today and she said that if baby’s head doesn’t engage, and remains that way, then I would have to have controlled breaking of waters in theatre. She said engagement can change every day, so hopefully he will scoot down!

My last two babies were so easy, really quick labours. This just isn’t going at all how I hoped xx

Bless you, my babies are 42 weekers but was induced with #3 on my due date.

Took 12 hours to get me dilated enough for ARM and I had all the warnings about being whisked into theatre if it ended in prolapsed cord. It was all fine and quick once the ARM had been performed.

Inductions aren't all bad, all 4 of mine were induced and didn't need assistance etc.

Actually wasn't 12 hours more like 29 hours 🙈🙈🙈🙈 tens machine really helped.

Went in 9am due date had her tea time the day after.

Hope all goes well with the sweep. Keep pushing for early induction if you're not happy to wait.

Hope the sweep works (did. Nothing for me) are you getting monitored over Xmas ?