Baby movements at 37-38 weeks - is this normal?

[wondering7777]

I've been struggling so much throughout my pregnancy with baby movements. My baby has never seemed to have a pattern like other people's and I've found it quite alarming.

I woke up at around 4am this morning and couldn't feel the baby moving at all. Then went back to sleep and woke again at 8am, at which point I felt a few small movements after prodding my belly.

Since then I've felt about 3 or 4 movements throughout the morning and a few more just now after eating a tuna sandwich (one thing that is certain is that the baby does tend to move after I've eaten).

At almost 38 weeks, the baby's actual movements are definitely different than they were in earlier pregnancy - they're more of a squirming, stretching feeling now, rather than jabs or kicks.

I've also been feeling the occasional moment of pressure on my cervix or pelvis (I think?) in recent days, as if the baby is pressing down against them.

How much movement do you feel at 38 weeks - does mine sound normal?

If you are worried ring your midwife. All babies are different and for peace of mind you should talk to a professional.

Sorry posted too soon. Your movements sound similar to my three at that stage especially the downwards pressure but I was feeling them regularly and the defiantly had a pattern of waken and sleep by then. Honestly, your midwife won't mind you ringing even though the world is topsy turvey at the moment.

Thanks @jellybe - I actually have an appointment at the hospital later today with the doctor on the maternity ward, so I will mention it then. How do they monitor reduced movements at 38 weeks out of interest - is it an ultrasound scan or do they just listen in?

At my hospital they put straps round your tummy and monitor the babies heart rate and that is followed up with a scan a couple of days later (when they can fit you in)

Please do mention the lack of movements today

Please do mention the lack of movements today

Well, thinking about it I've probably felt about eight separate movements so far today, so I'm not too concerned. But I will obviously mention it just in case.

At my hospital they put straps round to listen to baby heartbeat and monitor movements. You have a button that you press if you feel movements, so they can match your feeling with what's actually happening in there. This monitoring goes on for at least 20 minutes but up to an hour. If everything is fine, no scans required but I expect that would be the next port of call if the monitoring was not as expected.

That sounds fairly normal in my experience. Once you get to this point, there is far less room for them to move so it will be more squirming rather than jabbing/kicking; also in different places than before purely because of baby changing position and getting ready for birth.
If you’re concerned, try laying on your left side and drinking ice cold water. Baby will quite often respond to that. I find with mine, laying flat on my back and drinking cold coke does the trick.

Oh and at my hospital, they do exactly as they do at Rabbit’s.. (post above). They’re really lovely about it and will always say to call if you’re concerned, even if it’s every day

They can also put a strap to make sure the babies movements correspond 'normally' to a change in their heart beat. If you have any concerns or feel the babies movements have changed then don't hesitate to contact the midwife, even if you have a regular booked appointment later that same day 🙂

Please do ring the hospital

Contrary to belief, movement does not go down towards the end of pregnancy. It should stay the same

I had to go plenty of times with my two and it’s literally a belly band and movement monitor for about 30 mins.

It won’t hurt to check

No it's not call midwife and go have a CTG

Xxx

My dd always hated the CTG too!

She would go ages without moving, cold drinks wouldn’t work or anything.

The second they put the band on, she would kick and move positions so they would have to adjust it all again

How did it go at the hospital?