Reduced movement at 37 weeks - not being taken seriously!

[Momtot]

So this is my 3rd pregnancy, both previous babies had reduced movement and static growth in the last few weeks and I was induced with them at 37+5 and 38+5 weeks. I'm now 37+3 in my third pregnancy and the same thing is happening again.. but this time I'm not being taken seriously.

I've moved to a different part of England and I know things work differently everywhere, but I've now been in hospital 5 times for reduced movements, went in again last night and got kept in, scanned and monitored today then sent home, even though I kept telling them the movements hadn't improved and I was worried. I requested an induction and they said no. With my first baby it ended up being a near miss and if they'd have left it much longer they said he most probably wouldn't have made it, hence why I'm on high alert and want this baby out now before anything goes wrong!

I was so gutted to be sent home again today, and am now feeling deflated and worried. I've got to go back for a growth scan in two days but they're not planning to induce.

What would you do? What can I do? :(

Can you be booked in at another hospital location to you OP? I can totally appreciate your worry. I had two episodes of reduced movement over a fortnight and was sent for a scan which showed 3 weeks of static growth. I refused an induction and opted for c section as her head was not anywhere near my pelvis. She was delivered safely 5 weeks ago with an absolutely normal birth weight. If I was in your position I would contact triage this evening re concerns about reduced movement and ask to be seen as a matter of urgency. Once you’re in triage ask to speak with the obstetrician on duty. I would not be leaving hospital without a clear plan given your history. Wishing you and baby well. Keep us updated xxx

Keep at them. Turn up at unit if necessary. Tell them what happened last time and that they will be personally responsible if something happens. They go on about mother’s instincts and how important they are. Good luck and hope you get your induction if needed. X

Honestly I'd go back again. You're still worried, movements aren't right and 2 days is too long to wait for a scan. I would ask to speak to the most senior midwife and/or doctor available to make a plan. If they can't reassure you, keep asking questions.

I would go back in view of your history and demand to see someone more senior

Is demand to see a consultant. If anything you sounds like you've got anxiety which won't be helping the baby.

Keep going back, OP.

I think you should go back.
I’m currently 36+5 and had some reduced movements - for the 3rd time this pregnancy last Thursday. They monitored me - all was ok, but they called a doctor they did bloods, booked me for a scan which is on Wednesday and have me on daily monitoring until then, I’ll have a consultant appointment after the scan to make a plan. I’m actually happy with movements again now and they told me I still need to come in every day because they want to keep an eye.
I feel like you need to at least insist on daily monitoring as a starting point.

As everyone else said - go back, demand to see a consultant, emphasise what happened before.

My lovely midwife said all mothers have incredible instincts and we have to follow them.

Good luck xx

Thanks for the responses ladies, good to know I'm not being over dramatic or going crazy! The consultant who admitted me to the ward last night seemed quite sure I would be put in for an induction given my history, but it was once the shifts changed and a new consultant came on that it all changed. His way of thinking was that because I'm not 38 weeks yet there's more change of the induction ending in an EMCS, so he wants me to hold out. The problem is they don't have the records from my previous births so they can't see how quickly it all unfolded, so I'm wondering if they think I'm exaggerating?!

I've booked in to be seen on the assessment unit tomorrow for another ECG, in the daytime so will be a different consultant. I'll try to plead my case again.

Daily monitoring would be okay but I have 2 toddlers at home and no childcare other than my grandma so each appointment is a nightmare as it is! Just want the baby out now so I can see that they're okay.

CTG* not ECG baby brain!

Hope you got a more supportive consultant today, OP.

How are you doing today OP? X

@mumsofboys

Is demand to see a consultant. If anything you sounds like you've got anxiety which won't be helping the baby.

She does not sound like she has anxiety She is worried she is not being taken seriously. Given the fact that the hospital do not have the records of her previous birth, it's likely she is right. And anxiety will not affect the baby, please stop peddling that nonsense.

@Letmegetthisrightasawoman get your facts straight love before you come at someone.

Anxiety raises blood pressure and what does high blood pressure do in pregnancy? But I'm glad you've brought this up to worry OP more.

As a Psychologist maybe I see things better than you 🤷🏼‍♀️ who wouldn't have anxiety in pregnancy with what this lady has gone through.

Keep your nose out

See the bigger picture

If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all!

@Momtot I wondered if that was why they were holding you out and percentages are high for emcs with early induction- I had this. But as it isn't your first it usually works. 🤞🏼 you get the answers soon and see your baby!

Have you tried calling/emailing PALS op?

I’ve found they are the quickest and best way to resolve things like this.

Good luck and don’t give up!

[quote mumsofboys]@Letmegetthisrightasawoman get your facts straight love before you come at someone.

Anxiety raises blood pressure and what does high blood pressure do in pregnancy? But I'm glad you've brought this up to worry OP more.

As a Psychologist maybe I see things better than you 🤷🏼‍♀️ who wouldn't have anxiety in pregnancy with what this lady has gone through.

Keep your nose out

See the bigger picture

If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all![/quote]
Eh? I need to keep my nose out? OP posted on a public forum! And what have I brought up to worry the OP more? You're the one who said anxiety wouldn't be doing any good. You seem rather unfriendly and unempathetic for a psychologist, FFS. As for your last sentence, not sure where to start...!

I’d definitely go back OP.
Have you had formal growth scans through this pregnancy, in view of previous history? How is the baby tracking for growth? What are the dopplers doing?
Also did you have normal deliveries with your other two, other than induction?
Is the second consultant older by any chance? I only ask because it sounds like he/she has very out of date information. Inductions do not lead to a higher rate of CS, rather lower - if anything, waiting longer before inducing may increase the risk of CS if baby is truly becoming growth restricted, as the longer that goes on the less likely the baby will cope with labour.
Decreased movements can be tricky to manage because most often everything is absolutely fine, so it’s understandable that the doctors try to avoid unecessary interventions. However with persistent decreased movements, and past 37 weeks, the balance shifts in favour of just getting the baby out, as long as that’s what you want to do.
Unless things improve id go back and start kicking up a fuss about the plan. If you get the same consultant again just calmly and firmly request a second opinion.
I’ll see if I can find and link some decreased movements guidelines for you.

Hi ladies quick update, sorry for the delay!

Basically I had a scan on wednesday and baby's growth is fine, it's exactly on track for what it should be, placenta is fine and everything is normal. Doc could see baby moving on the scan even though I couldn't feel it?! So they're not worried.

The plan is to be monitored every other day and then possible induction at 39 weeks (a week today) Iif that's what I want.

Amazingly baby's movements have picked back up a bit, still not what they were but its reassuring.

Anyway I'm currently up and have been since 3.30am having period pains which are now getting uncomfortable 😬 not getting my Hope's up that this is the real deal but they're coming about every 8-10 mins at the mo!

Fingers crossed for a natural labour asap 🤞🏻

Ps Spoons, I had normal induced delivery with second, about 18hr labour but with my first it was 4 days labour which resulted in very traumatic rushed forceps delivery, then an 11 day stay in NICU. We both contracted an infection which turned into sepsis, so was touch and go for both of us.. scary times.

@Momtot will keep my fingers crossed that you have baby soon, without the need for induction!

@patchworkelmer thank you! Everything seems to have slowed right down annoyingly, really thought it could have been the real deal today! Oh well, another day of being pregnant 🤣🙈