Confused by hospital policy

[Rosiiiiie]

Hey there!

So I’m 26 weeks along and have had an awful cold for the past week. Last night I noticed baby’s movements were a bit off. Instead of his lively strong kicks I’m getting sluggish rolls. And that’s only when I lie on my side, have some sugary food, cold drink, poke my belly.

Anyways, I was concerned enough this morning to call the hospital. They said that they don’t do CTG until 28 weeks. Their policy is to only do doppler checks from 24 weeks and if there’s a heartbeat you’re good to go.

I was a bit like wtf…. If viability is 24 weeks, surely they’d check it out a bit more? A heartbeat doesn’t mean a healthy baby?

I saw my gp this afternoon and she asked about baby’s movements and she didn’t surprised by what the hospital told me.

I’m feeling really upset and let down by the system? Movements are still so off and I can’t help but worry!!

Just needed to vent!

I've heard the same too that most won't scan until min 28 weeks as they say a reliable pattern can't be established until then - no consistent approach between hospitals at all x

@4amstarts I’m feeling so lost! I don’t know where to turn to and I’m so worried the baby is starting to be affected by how sick I’ve been.

A heartbeat on a Doppler will tell them the baby is likely ok though, they check for the heart rate to see if it’s too fast or too slow

@EnrouteNOTonroute yes that's true.... so maybe I should just go in anyway. Pregnancy is so stressful isn't it!

I think it's because there isn't supposed to be a pattern until 28 weeks. If you're worried though go in for the Doppler.

Same here, i was really surprised that they don’t pop you on a ctg until 28 weeks, cynically I think it’s because if there was something drastically wrong, clinical outcomes are a lot better at 28weeks than 24.

My hospital policy is ctg and then within 48 hours a growth scan. Triage failed to mention the growth scan to me so I didn’t turn up and got a right telling off from the woman on the phone x

doclibrary-rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk/DocumentsLibrary/RoyalCornwallHospitalsTrust/Clinical/MidwiferyAndObstetrics/AntenatalCardiotocographyCTGAnd-DawesRedmanAnalysisClinicalGuideline.pdf

The reason why is outlined on page 4 above. It’s basically too unreliable a test before 28 weeks

@Namechangetimes100 I honestly thought the same though.

I also want to avoid being pegged as an annoying patient who's very anxious about everything (even if I am!!). I had to go in for weekly ctg's with my first towards the end of the pregnancy and they just ended up inducing me at 38 weeks.

I had a panic about movements at 28 weeks and so went on the CTG. The midwife struggled getting a reliable trace for a while, and I had to hold the receiver in place quite tight against me. She said it's because the baby is still so small at that stage and has so much room to move around it can be difficult to monitor. So I would imagine the 28 week cut off is due to practicalities too. When I went in again even just a couple of weeks later it was much easier because of the extra growth.

It is such a worry, especially when the message to GO AND GET CHECKED WITH ANY CHANGES JUST GO GO GO stressed at every opportunity, but then when they actually they don't do much before 28 weeks it can leave you feeling more confused.

You did the right thing asking to get it checked, but as PPs have said, at 24 weeks there's not much chance of a real pattern and if policy is to just use a Doppler you may still feel nervous. But a heartbeat check is still important. And know that if it happens again (hopefully it won't) in a few weeks they'll get you on the monitor. It still only tells you there and then if things ok, so the nervousness comes back but hopefully can put you at ease for a bit.

Same happened to me. They advised they would monitor the heartbeat but anything else (CTG) it would be from 28 weeks. They look for accelerations in the heart rate which arent recognised until after 28 weeks. I was 27 weeks at the time and they hooked me up to the monitor anyway but they didnt see what they wanted to. They were happy though so sent me home.

I understand how stressful it can be. I also noticed a change of movement around 26 weeks. They say as the baby grows there are less space so you won't have the strong kicks anymore but more like the sluggish rolls you described. Also noticed my belly to move like a little alien would try to come out rather than the kicks. I would still monitor the movements; do you think you get at least 10 in two hours?
I felt exactly the same about the system. Had a Covid 3 weeks ago and I asked to be referred to get a growth scan but they said Covid wasn't enough reason for it... Had to get a privet scan to stop stressing.

CTG can't be done until after 28 weeks. My midwife referred me down there after my 28 week appointment, and they only just managed to do it as baby is so small and can still move around so much. The midwife told me it was borderline whether it'd work for me, as I was right near the cut off being just over 28 weeks, but popped me on it anyway.