Anyone else had this response from triage ?

[Cobbsgirl92]

Hi all,

I was worried about my babies movements today so I called triage as told too if you notice any changes.
I have felt him occasionally but not what I would say was normal.
I called up and was told I wouldn’t know a pattern yet as I’m only 26+3 and shouldn’t call or worry until 28 weeks.
So now I’m unsure what to think.
She said I could try another lunch or some squash but I shouldn’t have a pattern and therefore wouldn’t know if it was more or less then normal anyway.
Feel very tearful now as she wasn’t particularly kind of reassuring.
Maybe I am wrong?
Any thoughts or experience ?
Thank you

This is a common response unfortunately, well at least what I have experienced, they say that you should at least be feeling movements from 24 weeks and to call if you don't, but then they also say that babies haven't established a pattern until 28 weeks 🤦‍♀️ definitely push to be checked as they should be listening to you and what you feel

I called worried about movements at 24 weeks and was told "there isn't anything we can do anyway" - baring in mind this was at about midnight and I'm a FTM and so I basically cried myself to sleep thinking something awful was going to happen and no one cared!

However, now at 36 weeks I wish I hadn't put up with that response - either insisted I was checked or at least complained at the time of the complete lack of empathy. I've since gone in twice for reduced movements at 28 weeks and 33 weeks and all has been fine and I've been looked after and taken seriously. But that first experience really left a bad taste in my mouth.

If you're still worried I'd call back and insist you get seen, if only for your own peace of mind.

It's very confusing isn't it, the advice on the NHS website says to ring asap if movements alter but it doesn't tell you when you should start being aware of this (as in from how many weeks), so the advice is both quite strict and scary but also... Kind of vague.

I've called triage before for other reasons and have always felt slightly fobbed off, though i try to trust their advice/experience

It’s very confusing! I was quite shocked at the lack of empathy especially for a FTM.
I called because on my folder it says any concerns after 24 weeks to call and I am concerned and the lack of support has only caused that concern to grow.
I feel worried to call back despite not feeling baby since I called.
I actually feel silly as she said I shouldn’t be able to feel babies movements yet as he’s too small so I feel almost what I thought I’d felt up until now was wrong or my imagination.
Such a whirlwind of emotions !

‘I actually feel silly as she said I shouldn’t be able to feel babies movements yet as he’s too small so I feel almost what I thought I’d felt up until now was wrong or my imagination.’

I am no expert but I definitely felt a lot of movement from 20wks onward, I know it differs case by case but to tell you the baby is so small you can’t be feeling movements at 26wks just sounds wrong to me. I’m sorry you had such a crap experience. You did the right thing to call in, have a read of this and if you are worried why don’t you call back and say that you have read the Tommy’s advice and would like the checks they recommend? www.tommys.org/pregnancy/baby-moving-less/reporting-reduced-fetal-movements

I would call back. Hope everything is ok.

The midwife I saw for my 20 week scan said as I've been feeling him move frequently for a few weeks to call if I notice anything and they'll have a listen/check.. I'd definitely try calling again, hopefully you'll get to talk to someone who's a bit kinder about it. Hope everything is okay

Unfortunately it is hospital policy to not check until 28 weeks. They just say any movement is fine- no routine as such.

As brutal as it sounds, i believe they don't 'help baby' if it's born before 28 weeks so this would be why maybe?

Call again if you're worried but as long as you're getting some movement?

Premature babies are 'viable' from 24 weeks so they should be checking you out from then. Phone back OP, you might speak to a kinder midwife. My experiences from my three previous pregnancies and this one is that not all midwives are kind and caring and you might need to ask for a different opinion and midwife.
Hope you are ok.

I would push to be seen . Better safe than sorry .

However I have to agree that there is no set pattern at this stage . Even now at 31 weeks I find there are days where baby isn’t as active although never enough for me to worry as baby has established a pattern now and sticks to it. At 26 weeks I was all over the place with movement.

It’s ridiculous still that they won’t see you . You know your baby/body best and even if everything is perfectly fine it’s best to be seen to be sure .

Call back !!!

I'm sorry they haven't been more helpful OP. Can you call back? Hopefully a different person will answer the phone and if not, you could ask for a second opinion.

In my experience, they are much more dismissive with first time mothers. I think their first question was usually 'is this your first baby?'I felt much more listened to when I had my second baby. In fairness though, I was a lot more paranoid the first time (not that I'm saying you are though!)