Reduced fetal movements - worried

[Starlive23]

I've been having reduced fetal movements for almost a week and a half. When I say reduced I mean I've gone from sometimes feeling 19 -20 movements in an hour sometimes to feeling 2 or 3 at best.
I'm 32 weeks pregnant now.
I've been in 4 times this week after not feeling baby move. All 4 times the baby has moved a few times that I could feel (not including hiccups) and the non stress test has come back as fine and they have been happy to send me home, saying I might just be too busy to feel them.
I can honestly say nothing has changed that has made me busy in the last few weeks, if anything the paranoia has made me slow down.
I had a scan which measured fluid around the baby was slightly raised but still within normal range.
I honestly feel like I'm going mad or turning into a hypochondriac.
I used to love lying in bed before I had to get up and feeling all the baby's different wiggles but honestly I've been awake since 4:15 today and felt to very weak kicks.
I'm going back in today but I feel it all seems a waste of time...I will get a couple of movements and they will send me home. If not they will poke baby and get me to drink ice water until he moves, then back home.

I just want a hand hold or mayne someone to tell me they had this and it was all ok, I'm absolutely terrified I am going to wake up one day and the movements will havr slowed to a stop and there is nothing I can do about it.
Thanks for reading.

I've got an appointment at 9:30, I'm waiting for my mum to pick up my daughter.
No need to christ me, I'm scared enough as it is.

You've done the right thing, previous poster I think sounded like that as you often get women reporting reduced movements but they just post on here and won't ring the hospital.
I think your going to need to bring up that fact that you seem to have prolonged reduced movement today, that you've been in multiple times. I mean sone babies are just lazy and seem to stress their mums out but the hospital do need to monitor this for you. Good luck and report back xx

Sorry you are feeling so anxious. It sounds like you are doing all the right things, and being seen. It is definitely not a waste of time to go in. They will likely do similar things as before as you say - a CTG to record babies heart beat, another check on your blood pressure and urine, and measure your bump if that hasn't been done recently.

Have you seen a dr at all about the reduced movements? If not, I would suggest asking to speak to one for a review of your notes and an ongoing plan of care. it may be that you need a follow up scan for a couple of weeks after your last one, and for someone to be keeping a closer eye on your pregnancy in general.

Its a tricky time for reduced movements because if all is well on the baby heart trace and scans, they would not want to deliver a baby at 32 weeks due to the risks of prematurity, however it is very important that they continue to keep a close eye on you in case any of the wellbeing checks do change.

I hope everything is ok, and never worry about going in repeatedly, its the right thing to do.

Op already said she was going back today, no need to be rude!

I know it feels pointless at times but just keep phoning and going back. Are you having regular growth scans and Doppler/fluid volume scans now? Have they arranged for you to have consultant appointments? They should be keeping a closer eye on you now.

Hope all stays well OP

Handhold from me. I'm sure your baby is absolutely fine, but I don't blame you in the least for worrying.
And you're completely right to contact the hospital urgently for reduced movement.
Are you going to have a scan to check the placenta?
This is not qualified medical advice.
However, I do know that issues with the placenta can be behind reduced movements and if so, it can be monitored.
If a scan hasn'tbeen arranged, I'd ask for one.
All the best, love. Don't be afraid to keep speaking up.

Thanks for replies. I was there almost 5 hours last night but finally got to speak to a Dr. They said I should have a growth scan booked in for this week and I should recall letter which obvious great but its not knowing what to do in the meantime.
The movements seem to be getting further and further apart and whilst I can in theory go in every day, its a pandemic and I've got a job and a toddler so its not exactly ideal, and it seems that I'm going in to be told I'm too busy to feel it and go home.
Don't get me wrong if I had to I would go in no matter what but it feels like a bit of a waste of time.

Can you get a scan.

I was in a similar situation with DC2 from 36 weeks.

DC2 is a happy healthy 10y old- still up to mischief and likes scaring mum. (Some things never change!)

God why are people so horrible or maybe just unable to read? (Mentioning no names).

OP- I’m sorry, it sounds incredibly stressful. I’m not sure of what to advise but I know it’s important to trust your gut instinct and if you’re not happy with the movement or the plan in place to push for more monitoring. But I know what you mean, short of being an inpatient and hooked up to a ctg I’m not sure what can be done other than frequent scanning and regular midwife checks for things like preeclampsia. I really hope this mornings visit is reassuring.

Handhold from me OP, that sounds so stressful. You’re doing absolutely the right thing by getting checked every time. I’m sure with all the monitoring they’re doing they would pick up very quickly if something was wrong.

@shenanigans5

God why are people so horrible or maybe just unable to read? (Mentioning no names).

OP- I’m sorry, it sounds incredibly stressful. I’m not sure of what to advise but I know it’s important to trust your gut instinct and if you’re not happy with the movement or the plan in place to push for more monitoring. But I know what you mean, short of being an inpatient and hooked up to a ctg I’m not sure what can be done other than frequent scanning and regular midwife checks for things like preeclampsia. I really hope this mornings visit is reassuring.

Because instead of going straight to hospital, instead of demanding further checks on the 3rd or 4th time the OP was in, they have thought "ooohhh I'll post on MN"

@Starlive23 have you got a front placenta? If so that'll make the kicks feel lighter.

Also the midwife said as they get bigger they have less room to kick so they will feel lighter than before, it's just making sure there is still a pattern.

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and have been almost every week since 32 due to reduced movements at 32 weeks they sent me for a scan which showed I have placenta previa (I didn't have this at 20w!) so now I'm scanned every 2 weeks.

@Starlive23 the staff at the hospital would always rather you go in and all appears fine when you are there, than you not go in and things not turn out well. I promise you, you will not be the only person they are seeing multiple times, this is part of their job and they drummed it into us at antenatal classes and appointments to get seen if we had reduced movements. Be kind to yourself, by going in to be checked you are doing the right thing.

Thank you for replies. Feels nice to see its not jne that would be worried...I feel like I'm losing the plot really.
I would hope that anything would get picked up with monitoring. Its really hard to say to professionals what whilst I completely trust that they can read the ctg and interpret it far better than I ever could, that I'm still unhappy about movement. It feels like I'm sort of telling them I know best but that's not it at all I know I don't know better than them, its just when you are awake all night waiting for movements and they are so few and far between suddenly, their assurances don't seem to comfort me, even though I feel they should.

@c24680 yes placenta is at the front. I think if i had never felt much movement that would be one thing, its the sudden reduction in movement thats scaring me.
But I do hope you are right.

Its really hard to say to professionals what whilst I completely trust that they can read the ctg and interpret it far better than I ever could, that I'm still unhappy about movement.

But it's not. You say "I appreciate what you're saying, but I'm not satisfied with that outcome."

I had this from one of my twins, I was in and out of triage daily as there was no pattern to her movements. Some days I would feel lots and the next nothing!
They reassured me I was doing the right thing to take it seriously... they scanned me, monitored me but there was no obvious cause.
They eventually brought forward induction by a few days (they didn’t do this lightly) and everything was fine luckily but I remember the anxiety so I feel for you💐💐

@mouldyhouses101 yes, as it says above I've been in 4 times this week so obviously I have said it. I was just saying it feels awkward to keep reiterating, for me.

You are doing everything right. Maybe you can ask to have a longer chat with a consultant after they monitor today? Hope it goes well. And ignore the rude person above.

[quote Starlive23]@mouldyhouses101 yes, as it says above I've been in 4 times this week so obviously I have said it. I was just saying it feels awkward to keep reiterating, for me. [/quote]
Well I certainly wouldn't find in awkwardness in doing something that would potentially save my child's life

That sounds so stressful.
You absolutely need to demand more of your care team of whoever you are going to see today.
You cannot carry on like that. For your own sanity.
Push for a proper plan of action.
Regular monitoring, scans. And make sure it is in your notes that you are requesting a closer follow up.
Even if you sound like a hypochondriac, even if you have to look crazy to be heard.
Don't let them send you home saying all is fine.
You are not fine. You need support.

Oh bore off mouldy with your preachy crap- I’m sure we’re all delighted to hear that you have no issue telling HCPs they’re wrong but given that we’re all different and it’s not you in this situation it’s totally irrelevant to Op, who is finding this a challenge to manage.
Christ, this place sometimes.

Great advice from sunnysideup

Because instead of going straight to hospital, instead of demanding further checks on the 3rd or 4th time the OP was in, they have thought "ooohhh I'll post on MN"

She literally says in her opening post "I'm going back in today". Perhaps she posted here for some support in the meantime whilst waiting for her appointment?

Hope all is well, OP. I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and I know how stressful it can be with reduced movement.

@shenanigans5

Oh bore off mouldy with your preachy crap- I’m sure we’re all delighted to hear that you have no issue telling HCPs they’re wrong but given that we’re all different and it’s not you in this situation it’s totally irrelevant to Op, who is finding this a challenge to manage. Christ, this place sometimes.

Well said.