Inconsistent movements 21w

[gb000]

I have an anterior placenta but for the last week or so have felt a few fluttering or movements a day. Yesterday I felt like there were less and today less again. But it's hard to tell. I know baby is still small at 21w.

Am I overreacting to be worried? Did you experience "quiet days"?

I was the text book definition of inconsistent movements with my dd. Spoiler: dd is ten weeks and on my lap feeding.

However I was a nightmare and went in to the hospital with reduced movements regularly. By 33 weeks I had a weekly appointment with the consultant and scans. There was never anything wrong with baby, just what I was feeling. It was horrible though.

Ring your maternity unit, they'll get you to come in and will listen to baby's heart beat with the dopler- after 26 weeks they'll monitor with the ccg machine.

Honestly they'd rather you ring and be checked than leave it. If you feel there's a change, call them.

But have you tried lying down quietly, having a cold or fizzy drink, or something sugary x

Good luck

Thank you @Ginfilledcats, I really appreciate your kind response.

I rang the midwives; she basically said not to worry at this stage bc baby still has room to move and my placenta placement can make it harder to feel. She said if I am super worried I can go in and they can listen to the HB, but I have a home Doppler so will just do that tonight.

I actually think I have felt some very light muffled flutterings since then anyway so maybe baby is just hiding somewhere...

When I was 21 weeks I would often go a couple days not feeling a thing . Now I’m nearly 28 weeks and I feel movements constantly . I have an anterior placenta too. With my last pregnancy my placenta wasn’t anterior and I still didn’t feel consistent movements at 21 weeks .

Hey @gb000, I just wanted to say that this has been me today. Inconsistent is the word. I’m 21+1 today and have been feeling some sort of movement from 18 weeks ish. My placenta is also anterior so it’s tricky as well. The movements today have been less wriggly and more definite but I have really had to try hard to distinguish whether some are actual movements or not (if that makes sense). Tried to call the helpline and EOU but they were engaged so texted a midwifery friend who said it was normal to feel inconsistency at this stage, especially with an anterior placenta.

This stage feels hard sometimes as it’s still early but once you’ve felt them you’re on high alert. I think it’s good you’ve called though.

I felt like it was me who had posted this originally. I am exactly 21 weeks with anterior placenta and have felt some movement in the last week...not everyday but it was unmissable a few days. I have not been feeling anything much in the last couple of days and have been dying with worry. The movements day before yesterday were very definite but nothing the last couple of days. I am just waiting for the next couple of days to observe more and then will message my midwife.

If you are worried enough to use a home Doppler, you should go in and have a midwife listen in. A Doppler should never be used for reassurance by a non-trained person.

Sounds completely normal. I have anterior placenta too and had barely felt anything at that point.

Thank you ladies!

@MnM156, @LJMilkTea, sorry you're both experiencing the same thing (at least we aren't alone!). I get the impression there's nothing the midwives can really do other than listen for the HB (they're not going to give you a sono on the NHS at this point, I mean) and tbh there's nothing they can do if the baby isn't fine anyway, as morbid as that sounds. Which in some ways I find oddly calming compared to later on when they are more worried because there is something they can do if the baby isn't responsive! Not sure if that makes any sense...oh the ways I try to rationalise my own anxiety!!

FWIW my midwife said by 25 weeks you would expect to be feeling movement every day and that's when they would want you to come in straight away.

@gb000 I know exactly what you mean about the ‘what would they do’ thing. I think it’s always best to check but yes it’s that strange time before 24 weeks when it’s a bit up in the air.

Good to know what the midwife said about 25 weeks.

Hope you feel a bit more movement over the coming days and that your mind is put at rest

Thanks @LJMilkTea, you too girl 💜

I started feeling movements at 15 weeks, and by 21/22 weeks would still have days when the baby seemed to completely disappear. I actually went in for reduced movements at around 22 weeks (I hadn't felt him all day) which in hindsight was really silly - baby was moving around like mad I just couldn't feel ir because of positioning. The midwife also (kindly) pointed out what you said above... before 24 weeks even if they know the baby is unhappy what can they do really?

I had an anterior placenta and hadn't even felt DS at this point. Midwife said to me that they don't monitor for movements until 24 weeks because of all of the space in the tummy before then x

@RowboatsinDisguise

If you are worried enough to use a home Doppler, you should go in and have a midwife listen in. A Doppler should never be used for reassurance by a non-trained person.

Second this.

When worried, get checked.

I could feel flutters from about 19 weeks and felt they were getting stronger regularly. I read in the hospital leaflet that by 28 weeks I should be recognising a pattern and had a day at 26 weeks where baby was really quiet. I went into triage for a check and baby was totally fine - baby had moved position and I couldn't feel it the same. Midwife told me about brain development and space in there and why 28 weeks is a milestone.

If you're worried, give them a call. Please don't use a home doppler x