What counts as reduced movements?

[FluffySocksAndMarshmallows]

I'm 26 weeks pregnant with my first. I felt my first movements at around 19 weeks, and they've been pretty frequent since, although there's no clear pattern to when I can feel them... it's on and off throughout the day.

I have a few pregnant friends who have gone for monitoring whenever there has been a few hours without much movement. This isn't super common for me but probably happens once or twice a week.

I asked my midwife at 24 weeks, and she said that from 26 weeks, they'd monitor me if I felt movements had reduced - but that after 3 incidents, I'd be referred to make sure there was nothing wrong with the baby, and I was coping okay. That seems quite different to my friends' trusts; who don't seem to have the "limit" - one has been in weekly or so so far.

Should I be going in whenever I think baby is quiet? Sometimes I think it's just because I'm busy - sometimes they just seem quiet. Today, for example, I felt kicks earlier this morning and in the shower, but nothing big in the last few hours. Yesterday they were wriggling around all day! I feel like I'd be in a lot if I went in whenever baby has a quiet day, but it is a bit anxiety inducing, and I don't want to be getting this wrong!

I think you get to know what is normal for you during pregnancy and if anything feels not quite right, it’s always better to get checked.

I think its about what is normal for you.

I'm 34 weeks with my first, she is very very squirmy when I sit or lay down but when I am busy she tends to be quiet. If I do a lot of walking I barely feel anything, but if I go and lie down for a bit I will feel movement again. I'm told this is totally normal, but to worry if I lie down for an hour and feel nothing.

It’s all about what is normal for your little one. I went in last week for reduced movements at 36 weeks. I had felt her in the morning, just not as strongly and acrobatically as usual. Then she felt quiet in the afternoon. She was monitored and is fine. Has been normal since.
I did hear a lady in there who had not felt her baby move all day and had waited until
The evening to visit. That seemed too long to me, but it is what you are used to with your babies movements.
If after a few hours this isn’t normal for you, then give them a call.
I’ve found pau to be brilliant - they are always happy you have checked and everything is fine and will encourage you to come back if you feel the same again.

I’ll be honest- if I’d gone into the hospital every time mine went a bit quiet I’d never be out of the bloody place. He does have a pattern but frequently just has a kip if I’ve been moving around or on a train or bus, and sometimes he faces the other way and I feel things less/differently.

I just asked my midwife this question, she said all babies are different and to call if there was a change in pattern. She gave a good tip, that if I was worried I should drink a sugary drink and lie down in my left side for half an hour ( it opens sone big vein) and the baby should probably get more active then.. and if it kicks etc it’s ok

Just to add, avoid big meals. It's not worth the anxiety when they sleep because you've eaten too much!

Your babys movement pattern may be completely different to your friends etc. Also women with anterior placenta can find it harder to feel movement. I had that issue in my last pregnancy. I went in 3 times for reduced movement and then got put on biweekly monitoring from 32 weeks and had some extra scans.
If your worried please ask for advice and help from your maternity department.