Worried about baby’s movement

[Evianontoast]

I need to be told how silly I’m being! I’m only 21 weeks and have been lucky enough to feel my little girl move for the last few weeks. Anyway, At midday today (Monday) I was getting worried because I hadn’t felt her move since Saturday evening. My blue notes say never delay if you feel movement has decreased so I called my midwife and she said I should come in to check the heart beat. Of course, as soon as I hang up, the baby gives me 5-6 strong definite kicks! I had to call back to let them know we were all okay (I didn’t want to take up their time by going in anyway!) and to cancel coming in.

I’m a first time mum (can you tell?!) and I feel like I can’t help it, I keep getting worried about the baby’s movement even though it’s wayyy to early for it to be consistent (I know that if I couldn’t feel her I’d be worried about that!).

Anyway, could I ask, did you find your baby’s movement to be inconsistent at this stage? Did yours also have quiet days? I’m feeling like a bit of a lemon for getting worked up about it even though the baby is tiny and I can’t expect regular movement until mucccch later on. But it would be good to hear from other mums their experience of feral movement at about this stage.

Thanks all x

• sorry, I meant fetal movement at this stage, not feral!

Don't worry, I am the same. I've felt baby since about 18 weeks. I am 22 weeks now. I get kicked awake at 6am consistently... but not this morning. First I shrugged it off, then I proceeded to worry. Until I had lunch - received some satisfied kicks around 1pm.

@AnonymousXXIX I’m glad you got your little kicks! Can’t wait until I’m a little further along and movement is more consistent. I keep seeing on mumsnet loads of people saying “welcome to motherhood, you’ll worry about your little one until the end of your days” and I’m really beginning to feel how true that is!

Good luck with everything

I had the same at around 21 weeks and when I phoned they said it was too early to be concerned so it’s great that your midwife told you to go in. It’s so amazing to feel movement isn’t it

Don't feel silly for worrying. I think it's something a lot of women do. I know I've been really anxious myself especially as I have an anterior placenta so my movements are cushioned

I explained my anxieties to my midwife and she told me that you don't really start to notice a pattern with your baby until around 28 weeks. Babies can also have quiet days and active days, it all depends on your little one's normal routine which you will pick up on as the weeks go on

I was advised if I was worried about not feeling her/him for a while, have a cold or hot drink or sugary snack and lie on my side for an hour or so with minimal distraction so I can focus on baby. If I'm still haven't felt them move or are really panicked before this point, call the midwife as they would prefer to hear from me and reassurance me than not me not do anything

Sometimes the cold/hot drink snack thing doesn't work for me but hasn't meant baby is not OK. I do think I have a stubborn baby though 🤣

Above all I'd say if you're ever panicked call the midwife and chat to your midwife about your anxieties so you guys can come up with a plan together. I've seen some women on these forums offered weekly heartbeat checks etc. s

I was the exact same, but honestly she just had quiet days back then and likely because they shift. My modwife said that they are too small before 24 weeks or really 28 so we feel when they are at a good direct angle. Whereas later on we feel the movements every day and in a pattern as they are bigger and have less space. It is likely that you have just felt them less as they are at a new position.

That being said, it doesn't stop the worrying. As PPs have said, I would lie down quiet with a cold drink or some orange juice and focus and you may feel the muffled movements from the back to reassure you. But still - always call! They will tell you if youre being silly and most of the time they will want to reassure you or check baby is safe. In fact, my midwife said they check the HB for you until 26 weeks once you believe you have a pattern so they will likely trust your instinct too!