Baby hasn’t stopped moving (28+1) how worried should I be??

[Gilmartin89]

So from 22:00 last night baby only stopped kicking for 5 mins (10 max). And loads of kicks at that! More than the norm!
Ended up going to be checked at 1am as was super worried. In for 3 hours as took so long to get a reading from the belt on tummy machine thing; midwife even had to follow him round wit it at one point as he was so wriggly. Eventually they said he was all fine heart rate wise etc but to go back if I was worried. Managed to go home and sleep from 4.30 ish up twice to per and both times he kicked! Now been awake an hour and he’s kicked wriggles more than 50times(and had hiccups twice). Always wakes when I do but never usually moves that much. Now I don’t know what to do? Is this his new normal? How is he getting any rest if only stops ins at at time (usually around 40-50 mins rest every few hours)? Anyone else experienced this?? I was told to go back if my instincts said something is wrong but I just don’t know!! Don’t think me worrying is helping!!!

Honestly I don't know! My baby is usually like you're describing (28+2) - he moves all day every day and only stops for 5-10 mins at a time. I can count 20+ movements in 10 minutes easily. If I ever think "I'm not sure I felt him" I sit still and 95% of the time I'll feel something in the first minute - and that's without cold water or juice or anything like that. My MW doesn't believe me. She keeps telling me to look out for a pattern. The pattern is that he moves all day! Same as you I wonder how he gets any rest - I don't know if it's possible but I have to assume that he's moving in his sleep.

It sounds great that I can feel him so often but it's not without worry. It doesn't seem to be "normal" which concerns me (actually helpful to hear someone else experiencing this!) and I worry that he's not healthy. And then I'll get a day where he's a lot more calm and he'll be still for a couple of hours and terrify me. I've been to hospital for change in movements twice already - going from 20+ movements in 10 minutes to 10 movements or less in 4 hours is disconcerting. Both times he was fine even though I was feeling really dizzy!

The way I'm trying to see it is to compare it to a heart attack. There are lots of chest conditions that feel like a heart attack and there is absolutely no way of knowing yourself if you have a pulled muscle (more likely) or your heart is failing (less likely) unless someone tests it with a monitor. You wouldn't tell someone with chest pain to stay at home because "it's probably OK" even though it probably is. Same here - symptoms of a problem are identical to symptoms of a non-problem so all you can do is get it checked. Over time you might learn a bit more about what's normal and what isn't but until you have that knowledge to a good level of certainty there's nothing else you can do - it's just not worth taking a chance on.

It's hard feeling like you can't trust your own judgement though - I really do sympathise!

I spoke to my midwife again just now and I’m going back in to be monitored again. They said this could just be how baby is moving at the moment but then how do you know a pattern?! I’m just so concerned he’s not had any rest!! It’s can’t be healthy for him surely!! Thought we had developed a pattern but this deffo isn’t part of it!!

It’s comforting to hear someone else thinking similar! I feel ‘maternal instincts’ are such a big thing as I always go to the more cautious side; just to be safe so it’s really hard for me!

Also worried me being worried is sending him loads of adrenaline and making him move!!!

Just wish someone could give a clear answer!!

My consultant is forever telling me an active baby is a healthy one and this has always calmed me. If they weren't moving we would be worried even more. Just keep an eye on it and if you are worried get checked. I dont think there is a set amount to how many movements you get in an hour or a day it's whatever is normal for them every baby is different.

Went back into MAC after speaking to my midwife and was hooked duo again; again baby heart rate fine; it seemed to drop at one point and I asked it that was ok to which she replied no that yours I’m not bothered about you!
Lady seemed good but very stern told me to stop counting kicks and that I couldn’t be hooked up 24 hours a day (never asked to be) then said to not think about my baby 24/7 and to go for a walk and chill out. I asked if it was concerning he hadn’t slept in so long and she said he’s still resting but may just be moving an arm or a leg and may go super quiet later and then I’ll be worried again about it.
So all I can do is carry on as tho this is his new norm I guess; maybe I am just feeling him more in his sleep or noticing more and he’s an active little chap! Fell deflated but a little reassured I guess?!

@Gilmartin89 Please don't feel deflated! You did what you thought was best!

@Gilmartin89 the midwife's response is actually appalling and could put you off going back there if you're concerned. I wonder if she'd be willing to put that advice in to writing? I understand why you're feeling deflated and I would be too. Just remember, you're advocating for your baby and you've done the absolute right thing in seeking advice as you were worried.

Following on from what @BL89 said, if you're unhappy with any decision or comment made, tell them you want it in writing or in your notes.

I’m guessing you might be at home a lot because of lockdown? In my experience they are much calmer the more you are out and about. Probably nothing you can do about it but maybe a non-worrying explanation.

My daughter's baby moved excessively. Her stomach would flip from one side to the next. Same gestation. She was also worried and got checked out and reassured by the midwives. She was told this was normal movements. She became increasingly alarmed as she felt that her baby was trying to 'stand up' - the movements felt so huge and incessant.

She had a 4d/3D scan booked incidentally at 30 wks.

She found out then that her baby had a problem with the stomach which meant that baby was in danger and at risk of premature birth.

It's a long time from 20 wks to 40 wks without a scan. Most countries do scans later in pregnancy. Some conditions do not show up until after 28 wks. Which is the condition my daughter's baby had - duodenal atresia.

Daughter then had an amniocentesis which collapsed the membranes around the baby. They managed to hold off labour until 34 wks. Baby had surgery less than 12 hrs old.

This was at beginning of the first lockdown. Five weeks in NICU and very ropey after care at home due to corona restrictions. Daughter still having zoom therapy for trauma from NICU - lots of complications - sepsis, lumbar puncture, inhalation of stomach contents leading to massive lung infection.

Could you book a scan for extra reassurance?

They have booked me in for a scan tomo morning! Apparently standard of you have been in twice! I also have additional growth scan as consultants led; at 30, 34 & 38 weeks so hopefully they will pick up if anything is a miss!

That sounds like my baby girl. I am 28w4
Didn't know it was a concern.
I worry when i don't feel her but just need to stay still and she will kick. Also whenever i wake at night she is also on the move.
Kicks count is not needed she kicks 10 times in 10 min easily.
Her pattern is definitely all day/night up!
After reading this i will mention it to my midwife when i see her in two weeks.
Keep us updated please ! Hope your scan goes well x

@Gilmartin89

They have booked me in for a scan tomo morning! Apparently standard of you have been in twice! I also have additional growth scan as consultants led; at 30, 34 & 38 weeks so hopefully they will pick up if anything is a miss!

Best of luck!

Fingers crossed all is well. My baby was super active in the womb, he's now a super active one year old - still trying to locate his off switch 🤨

Good point @GirlCalledJames. WFH definitely gives you too much time to think!

@Gilmartin89 don't feel deflated! You did the right thing given your level of concern. When I was on the monitor baby's heartbeat was all over the place - went down to 98 at one point (heard it gradually slowing so was theirs not mine) and back up to over 160. I asked the Dr and she said it was absolutely fine. It's hard not to worry though.

OP you have absolutely done the right thing by accessing help. I know there’s not much advice about “increase in movement”, but as far as I was aware it’s any change in pattern then you should call for some advice.

I’m a paediatric nurse with a background in neurology (so have a lot of possibly useless articles and studies laying about) from what I’ve read there isn’t usually any cause for concern but is always absolutely worth a phone call.

I’m 31+2 and also went in for monitoring about 2 weeks ago for increased movements. I have a very active baby and whenever we’ve been for scans etc everyone comments on how much he wriggles. He is constantly awake other than probably between 7-8pm as long as I don’t move a muscle. During admission he’d had 150 movements in 10 minutes so very active.

If you’re worried still I’d keep a diary for a few days, see if there’s any pattern, possibly something you’re eating or drinking that causes increase in movements. My LO has a bit of a mad hour if I have a fizzy drink.

Xx

How did the scan go Op? @Gilmartin89

Hope all went well at the scan! Just spotted this thread now want to add that my DD(2) also moved excessively. In the final trimester I could easily count 10 kicks every two minutes, instead of the two hours per official guidelines.

She was an extremely active baby and learned how to roll and stand very early because she just couldn't stop moving. Toddler phase is hell right now since she's like an average active toddler cranked up to the max, however you forget it all as soon as they're peacefully asleep :P.

You’re not being paranoid. Excessive movements can indicate distress. Great that you’re having a scan and don’t feel bad about standing up for your little one!

Thanks so much for all your replies!
Had a scan this morning and all looking good!! We did find out he’s breech so that could possibly explain a lot (specifically the sharp dancing in the bladder)
Just trying to relax back into things now; he’s been resting more like his normal pattern (40 mins - 1hour when he does rest) not going constantly so feeling better about things. Think getting some decent sleep helped!! Seems he’s just changed positions and got a lot stronger!! Fingers crossed all is smooth sailing from here to his arrival! Xx

Glad baby is ok!
Hopefully he will change position to head down soon. Lots of helpful info about breech and things you can do if he doesn't change position at
www.spinningbabies.com/pregnancy-birth/baby-position/breech/flip-a-breech/

Glad your scan went well OP. According to the link below his movements don’t mean that he isn’t get any rest.

www.familyeducation.com/pregnancy/week-29-pregnancy/you-are-28-weeks-4-days-pregnant

I am 28 weeks and baby was in breech position at last scan, I know what you mean about the low kicks! That said I definitely feel a lot less movement that all of you, I worry quite a bit about whether to go in with reduced movement. The midwife said all babies are different and it’s more about their own pattern, but I really haven’t discerned any pattern yet. Hopefully I might soon.

Best of luck with everything.