Movements. Week 30

[JKD1982]

Hi ladies

I know the answer will most like be “go to the hospital to get checked” but as a first time mum and someone who’d rather not be exposed to a hospital right now nor waste NHS time. I would like your opinions please

My baby has been moving every day and I can feel him. But the last few days it’s a lot less strong. Can they move back away from your tummy so you notice it less. It’s not that there’s no movement, it’s still quite frequent and in similar pattern but just no way near as visible from putting my hand on my belly or seeing it move. Has he just moved back or curled up so I feel it less?

Thanks
X

Whilst it is possible that the baby has moved position and that’s why can’t you feel it as much (particularly if you have an anterior placenta) you really need to go to the hospital to get checked out.

I had similar with DD at around 30/31 weeks and all was fine, however it’s important you go for ANY change in movements, be it frequency (even if more) or intensity. I had several occurrences of reduced movements after 30 weeks and it turned out at 38 weeks that I had developed pre-eclampsia. It’s really important to get checked. You won’t be wasting NHS time, they would much rather you go in.

And the maternity hospitals/units are restricting visitors now anyway, so there’s a much reduced chance of catching anything. At mine everyone has to queue to wash their hands when they enter and leave, they’re doing their best to minimise the risk.

Hey op, I'm 31 weeks and saw my midwife today (routine) and said I couldn't feel him as much and she reassured me it was due to him having changed to head down and there just being less room. I would call your midwife anyway to put your mind at ease :)

Please please go in. As someone who lost her baby not so long ago please go in. The benefit outweigh the risk

You need to phone, any change needs reporting, it’s probably nothing but if it isn’t you might not get a second chance to make the right call. whatto id say the same to you too, that’s poor advice from a midwife, if it continues please phone again. The hospital are always lovely and reassuring about these things, I completely understand being reluctant to go near a hospital right now, but I’m sure they will be able to advice on the risks of going there too

Thanks ladies. I went in and they put me on the monitors and checked his heartbeat. Said all was fine but to go back if still worried about any changes in pattern

Still today massively reduced movements vs what I felt last 2 weeks. Maybe he has moved position and this is the new normal. I don’t know. It’s hard to tell isn’t it

They didn’t do an ultrasound though so just the heart monitoring

@Alb1 she checked me over with the Doppler,etc so was giving me advice based on my circumstances.

@JKD1982 glad everyyhing was ok :)

If you are still not happy with reduced movement go and ask for a scan to check baby’s position. Not to scare you, but there is a lot of other reasons that can cause reduced movements or a change in pattern - I wouldn’t have found out about my daughters genetic condition if I didn’t. More than likely baby will have just changed position, but best to have that confirmed on a scan for your own peace of mind and to check on babys wellbeing x

I'm 28 weeks and notice a massive change in movements depending which way she is facing. We're back to back now and I can see my stomach moving! Other times when she's facing my back it's much less pronounced.

I would still get checked though.

@Anon20something I hope this isn’t asking you to share something painful. But once you’ve had an all clear at 20 week anomoly scan, what can be detected due to reduced movements later in pregnancy?

It’s okay. I’m honestly not saying it to scare you. So this Is just my experience (and I lot of mums I now have met), but things like genetic disorders and other issues sometimes aren’t picked up. My daughters wasn’t. She moved fine up until 30 weeks when she stopped completely one day. I was prepped for induction and saw by a specialist who thought there was more to it. She had a rare disorder that we are both carriers of (didn’t know but meant lots of checks with current baby, 15 weeks) which meant her brain stopped sending signals to her nerves and muscles. I chose to go full term, she lived for 20 amazing minutes but couldn’t breathe on her own and passed away with me and her daddy. It was rare; and it won’t happen to the vast majority. But please if you are ever worried just go and get it checked and push if you aren’t happy. If baby is unwell, or you need further care to ensure everything progresses as it should then it’s 100% worth it. Xxx

@JKD1982 forgot to tag you!

Thank you for sharing @Anon20something
I’m so very sorry to hear what happened I can’t imagine the pain. I agree I will go back in tomorrow as still feeling so much less movements x

I also don’t want to scare you, but my baby developed a condition called SVT later in the pregnancy, which is simple after birth but during the womb it can cause hydrops. Her movements changed over weeks because she was poorly, just like an adult would get less active over time if poorly. So don’t be afraid to push for more checks every time you feel the need. 9 times out of 10 it’s change in position which is why there’s no need to be scared, just don’t be put off if your unsure.

@JKD1982 thank you. Miss her every day but if I hadn’t have trusted my instincts, I wouldn’t have got the time with her that i did. Always trust your instinct x