Reduced movements

[Mum2be00]

Hi.. is it normal for babies to have quieter days in the womb? I'm 30 weeks and have been the hospital a few times already with worrying about reduced movement and everything has always been fine, I'm having another one of them days today... the baby has moved but definitely not as much as usual... I know sometimes if they are facing the other way this can mean you don't feel as much but it doesn't help with the worry as I suppose I don't know the position of what way the baby is facing... any tips?? I feel silly going the hospital for a 4th time ... what to do!!

Go and get checked. Any midwife will tell you they rather see you then have you worry. I went in about 5 times and every time they said I done the right thing. Doesn't matter how many times you have been in if you feel movements are not the same especially at 30 weeks do go and get checked x

Forgot to say after my 3 or 4th reduced movement episode they got me in for a week of daily monitoring. Luckily everything was fine and of course DS kicked like crazy once the machine was attached!

The baby is moving it's just not the same if that makes sense ... I had my 28wk appointment just over a week ago and the midwife said then how active the baby was but it's definitely reduced but there is still movement... last time I went they said baby was just in a funny position and that was why ... it's such a worrying time being pregnant 🙈

What happens when you lie down? I'm around same stage in my pregnancy. She's quiet when I'm busy. She's more active at night and when I lie down.

Please go get checked they would never mind u getting checked 100 times if needed always better safe than sorry

You're probably fine but just go and get checked. You'd never forgive yourself if something was wrong this one time.

You should have a number on the front of your Green notes for triage - give them a call if it helps you decide but I'm sure they will tell you to come in - at least that way they will be expecting you. I had to call them for the first time today and I'm so glad I did.

Go and get checked. Doesn't matter if baby is still moving, there has been a reduction from their usual movements and it could signal fetal distress.

If you needed to hear it from a professional the. here you go. Go, always go.

Go get checked, @Mum2be00 - as PPs have said, the midwives would rather see you for 100 false alarms than miss something wrong.

I ended up calling the midwife 5mins after the post 🙈 I'm at the hospital been getting checked ... baby's back is to my belly in the engaged position so that's why I'm not feeling as much movement as the movements are inside of that makes sense but the monitor has checked the heartbeat and they are happy.
Feel a lot better for coming to get checked

I had days like this with DD - one day at about 38 weeks I barely felt her from mid afternoon to evening. Booked a taxi to the hospital and she started bopping away, all was fine but they’ll always prefer you to go in

@Mum2be00

I ended up calling the midwife 5mins after the post 🙈 I'm at the hospital been getting checked ... baby's back is to my belly in the engaged position so that's why I'm not feeling as much movement as the movements are inside of that makes sense but the monitor has checked the heartbeat and they are happy. Feel a lot better for coming to get checked

Good! Glad baby is okay and don't ever doubt getting checked. Always do. I ended up with count the kick stickers on the front of my purple notes with the date on etc just to let me midwife know when she checked my notes. Was earning badges as I went along!

It is always worth getting checked, OP. Everything is probably fine but movement is the only thing you have to go on when it comes to the health of your baby, so it’s worth paying attention to.

My midwife told me they would rather see a mother 20 times and everything be fine than miss the one time it wasn’t. Please don’t feel silly or like you’re making a fuss - you’re not!

Sorry for the delayed reply thank you all for your messages, I am abit of a worrier in general and I just feel abit dramatic going to the hospital again ... (it's my first baby) and with covid I just feel more anxious I suppose and Iv nothing to compare it to .... generally I'm fine but when the movements changed and slowed right down I was worried it's just because Iv been so many times already and I don't want them thinking oh here she is again 🙈 luckily baby has always been fine thank god I just felt like I was probably over reacting and the baby was having a quieter day!
The baby in the engaged position so this might mean I need to not stress as much if the movements are slightly different now as her position is now different to before. But the baby has been wriggling away ever since so I'm happy.
Fingers crossed it doesn't happen again!

I could have written this myself - was up at 5am worrying that baby was moving less (she is often a little squirmer between 3am and 6am). I'm nearly 31 weeks, and am finding it difficult to fully grasp what 'reduced movements' or 'changes in pattern' means. Sometimes she moves really pronouncedly, but lately some of her movements have been softer. But she's still got the same pattern, and even on the softer days, I still get some bigger bashes. I know that the advice is always to go get checked, but with COVID I don't fancy going to the hospital unless I'm sure something has changed, because of other risks.

Where I get confused is are you meant to be able to feel at least ten movements on any given hour you decide to count? Or is it based on your own baby's rhythms? Sometimes I'll go a couple of hours with only a twinge or ripple, but then later on will feel her more active. At times she's been a little thumper, but on other days everything is much softer. It should be easy to work out what normal feels like to you, but I'm finding it tricky!

@Mimiwish just go and get checked to be safe please. Please call them now!

@Mimiwish ... they say don't count 10 as all babies movements are different so if there is a change in what's normal for you and you baby call your midwife and they will decide what they thing over the phone but they will probs ring you in to check... Iv been 4 times now and all have been okay, the midwifes are actually fine and really reassuring that Iv done the right thing so I'd say go even to just put your mind at rest... it is difficult to know what normal and what's not this is why I feel like I'm at the hospital all the time but then I think I'd never forgive myself if I didn't go and something was wrong.
They did say to me that because she's in a different position the movements might change slightly as apparently this is when they start getting in the "engaged" position but can still move. Usually my baby is very very active and I hadn't felt much for hours so I'm glad I went and feel much more reassured having had a check.
If you ever unsure just call the midwife :) x

@Mimiwish and that right there is the reason the still birth rate as almost DOUBLED since Covid.

People put off going to get checked when there are changes or a reduction in fetal movement because of Covid.

I never even consider covid when Iv been to get checked Iv always thought the staff and surroundings seem pretty same much safer than doing the weekly shop anyway! X

@xmasnc2020 I understand why you'd say that, but I assure you I'd go straight to the hospital if I was properly concerned, rather than watchful. But it doesn't mean I am not perplexed by some of the guidance out there, as some 'changes' happen daily - it's not like babies are choreographed - and they also move positions. Plus I have an anterior placenta.

I know I'm not the only one who isn't sure how strictly the patterns of movement need to be exhibited daily, as I've read many threads on here about the same thing.

I've had a scheduled growth scan since the last post - and no issues with baby and her movements. I always err on the side of caution with baby's health, and of course put her first - but if I feel fifty movements on one day by midday and only forty on another by 2pm, I'm not going to go straight to the hospital - that's what I've decided is normal for me. But that doesn't stop me being worried sometimes as of course I love my baby and like everyone am super sensitive to her every move.

I should add, I do of course support that getting checked with a noticeable reduction in movements or changes is absolutely the right thing, and it's heartbreaking to hear that the stillbirth rate has doubled since COVID.

I think we all know our own little babies and their movements and you just have to do what you think is right, I do agree the movements aren't always the same everyday and I think my baby has developed a slower day as this happens now every few weeks at the same time so I'm thinking this is a new pattern I see my midwife today so I'll check on this anyway. But everyone and every baby is different it's just nice we can all help to offer our own support and advice even if everyone doesn't always agree.

@Mum2be00 Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! It's definitely a nerve-wracking but also hugely exciting time xx

@Mimiwish thank you, it definitely is a constant worry especially for a FTM as you have nothing to compare it to. I'm just excited for the baby to arrive now! X

You should always get checked of course but I wanted to reassure you too that I also have days like this and have gone a few times in pieces thinking it had all gone wrong.

Like yours, baby was also in a funny position and since about 25 weeks he barely comes out of it! Midwife said it can be quite common for them to find a comfy position and stay in it for the majority of the time. Unfortunately the position he's in isn't great for feeling movement and I have an anterior placenta!!

I do feel him every day but certainly not as much some days. And some days I literally won't feel him at all until I'm lay on my side, then he goes mad