Is there such a thing as too much movement? Week 29

[bluemonday2020]

Hello lovely ladies. I have been feeling my baby move since week 22. Generally she moves quite vigorously for 10/15 mins but at more or less set times during the day. Today she has been moving literally all day practically non stop- sometimes vigorous kicks, sometimes just slow movements across the belly. I called my midwives’ emergency number at the hospital but they told me not to worry, there is apparently no such thing as too much movement.

Has anyone had a similar experience with this? Should I be worried? Ftm here so pretty new to this. Thank you!

I was told any change in movements should be investigated, including a noticeable increase. Personally I would phone again to be honest, in rare cases it can be a sign of distress, and they shouldn't be fobbing you off.

The issue is a change from your normal patterns.

I have a friend whose baby went from a normal level of movement to non-stop vigorous movement and she was checked out. The baby was distressed. She had an emcs and the baby had a knot in her cord. This is extremely rare but it was a valuable lesson - changes in movement should be checked out.

My midwife told me any chance in movement should be checked including increased movement. I’d ring them back and get checked, I’m sure everything will be fine but it’s worth being sure

My consultant also told me that there is no such thing as too much movement!

Thank you ladies. At my 28 week appointment, my midwife had also told me to call if there is a change or pattern (an increase or decrease) so that’s why I was worried. I called back the hospital number and insisted that they see me, spoke to two midwifes including a senior midwife and both told be I should be happy that my baby is moving a lot and they have never heard of a baby moving too much. I am so disappointed and confused, I feel like the constant theme of my pregnancy is being fobbed off for every single thing, it is exhausting :( I don’t see what else I can do on a Sunday evening and will keep monitoring and see how it goes tomorrow. I am thinking of potentially booking a pivate scan tomorrow if it continues, it is just so frustrating to not being properly taken care of.

Sorry they have been dismissive OP, I was also fobbed off during pregnancy and postnatally, and that was without covid. Movements tend to increase and level off more around 32 weeks, but a sudden increase that you recognise to be markedly different to your usual pattern they should check out. That's bad that they have turned it around to say that you should be happy rather than acknowledging you are concerned. In all likelihood everything is fine, and as there is no "definitive" research into whether it's a cause for concern, it seems they don't teach it which is worrying , as there is a chance it is a sign of distress; although thankfully only a small one, I'm sure everything is fine but I would also be worried that they weren't listening. Hopefully someone will have some advice.

Thank you @trainchoose and thank you all for your advice so far. It feels good to be supported on here in any case.

I think it depends on it if is a change in movement. My oldest DS moved constantly, day and night, from very early on up to and including during labour. They had trouble monitoring me as he moved so much.

But it was usual for him so I never worried about it.

I am very sorry you have been fobbed off OP. Can you just turn up to triage? I did have a bout of excessive movement with my daughter, non stop vigorous movements which was a sign of distress and I had an emcs with her.

I had this at about 28weeks... she went mental for 3 hours which was out of her normal pattern.. I called my hospital and they just said sometimes babies have this moments when their active and mad and then they calm down.. she hasn't done it since and I'm 34weeks now.. ive had a scan in-between and she was fine.. we put it down to her possibly moving from beech to head down... but shes beech again now..

Have you eaten or drank anything different today? My DD and my current twins (23 weeks pregnant) react quite strongly to certain foods/drinks and all of a sudden perk up and go crazy for a bit

I had this also happen between 28/29 weeks. I'd had my 28 week midwife appointment and all was good but a couple of days later he'd been going mental all weekend. I called maternity assessment unit twice and they wouldn't see me as said if baby was distressed they wouldn't have energy to move so much. Whilst it made sense it was really unusual for him so I ended up getting a private scan and turned out he'd moved from breech at my appointment that week to head down so I put it down to that in the end. I'm 36 weeks now and movements haven't been as mental since.

Thank you ladies, that is reassuring to hear. I will see how she is tomorrow morning and will try calling my midwives team and if no one wants to see me, I might try booking a private scan.