Frequent reduced Fetal movement - best to be induced?

[TTC94]

Hi,

I have had numerous trips to the hospital for reduced Fetal movement. My baby has never had an established pattern really and the frequency of movement seems to change every day. Some days I feel almost nothing.

My consultant has mentioned inducing me at 37 weeks.

I just want my baby to safe - that is my main priority.

What are your thoughts/experiences?

I would prefer a natural, spontaneous labour (and am hoping and praying baby may come naturally at 37 weeks). I was thinking about trying to hold off on doing anything until 38 weeks and hoping baby comes spontaneously before then. If baby doesn’t, I was leaning towards a planned, gentle c section - as I feel more positive about that than I do about the idea of being induced.

If anyone could share any personal experiences or wisdom, it would be greatly appreciated.

I’m currently 35 weeks.

Thanks in advance xx

I would do exactly as is recommended by the experts.
I had an emergency section for foetal distress after going in for induction, and the professionalism of the team in knowing exactly what to do, and when, meant there was a good outcome.
Good luck 🙂

Not something I've had any experience in but I agree with PP and would follow the guidance of the doctors.

If you don't feel comfortable with the thought of induction you could request a section at 37 weeks instead.

I understand your thinking in trying to hold off for a week but, for me, if anything then went wrong between 37 and 38 weeks...

Good luck in your decision OP

When monitoring reveals issues about which cinsuitantconsultant are concerned, then I would follow their advice and deliver early. Because they are only giving that advice because it's the best way of maximising chances of the death of the baby.

Whether the labour matched my preference would not be a consideration for a second. It wouldn't be about me at all. Not when there are concerns for baby safety.

I think I would ask about rates for successful vaginal delivery after induction at 37 weeks vs need for unplanned emergency section after induction at 37 weeks. I would also want to know if there is any evidence of reduced movements being due to fetal stress/placental problems.
Ultimately I think I would be leaning towards a planned c section

Hi @TTC94.

I was induced at 40+3 for reduced and excessive movement. The decision was made after my third visit. So although I was slightly further along then you I thought I’d share my experience.

I was induced with the pessary, from that to birth was 12 hours. Complication free, no assistance and I came away with a small tear. I will say that contractions seemed to be more compact when induced, shorter periods in between which did make it appear to be more painful as you don’t get as much rest. But there were no issues with my delivery, and like you I was nervous as I’d heard many things. Gas & Air is your absolute friend, and I also had pethidine.

I wouldn’t take the chance with reduced movement. You can’t really tell what’s going on inside and so it’s safest all around if he’s brought “early” albeit 37 weeks is still classed as full time.

Good luck lovely xxx

I’ll also say that whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a c-section. I underestimated the recovery time post birth but am grateful in some ways that I did have a natural birth because I’m feeling somewhat normal after a week. Most mums I’ve spoken to the recovery takes longer, you’re more restricted, and that’s difficult when you have a crying newborn. But again completely your choice. Xxx

I was induced at 40+3 for one episode of reduced movement. It ended in an emergency section because of foetal distress, turns out the cord was wrapped pretty tightly around his neck and that was the cause of the reduced movement. I had wanted a natural birth but I’m incredibly grateful that they intervened.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.

At present, they recognise that baby isn’t the most active baby, doesn’t have an established/consistent pattern and they’ve done lots of scans and can’t find a specific reason why baby doesn’t move much or consistently. So there doesn’t appear to be an obvious explanation, but obviously, with baby’s movements, they don’t want to take any chances.

I completely understand what you are all saying about baby’s health and well-being being the main priority, and that I should be led by the consultants.

I’m just so sad I might not get to experience giving birth to my baby in a natural way.

I’m planning on having an in-depth conversation regarding the benefits, risks, alternatives etc with the consultant and care team when I’m next in for a check.

It’s such a hard decision to make.

I worry about the recovery time after a c section, but I worry if I’m induced, it could well result in an emergency, unplanned c section anyway. Which would be more stressful.

Thanks for your replies xxx

I was induced at 37+4, it was slow with pessary's but I wasn't in pain really and I was having regular monitoring, the day I turned 38 weeks they broke my waters at 8.40pm, very little progression for a couple of hours, around 11.30pm my contractions were very painful and I said I needed to push but when they checked they said I was only 3cm so I asked for pain relief and while the midwife was gone I gave birth to my son :)
I didn't mind being induced :)

@MyComputerGetsSadWithoutMe that sounds like a pretty positive experience! Wow! It’s nice to hear of more positive induction stories! Xxx

Thing is, you carry on existing after the birth and the healthier your baby the easier your life will be. So selfishly (and it’s really important to retain some selfishness as a mum - because you still exist and you still matter) I’d do whatever it takes to avoid a stay in NICU or lots of hospital trips. It sounds like that’s induction.

Do not hold off.

There is a reason for the reduced movements even if they don't know what it is.

If your consultant wants to go at 37 weeks, i'd bite their hand off.

In terms of wanting to experience a VB, I do understand this, I felt the same. But my doctor said, although they would try for an induction, because it was before my due date there was less likelihood of an induction leading to success and more chance of it ending in a section, and it was helpful to me to prepare myself for this to happen.

Finally I'd say, have you looked at the rate of section vs VB at your hospital? The doctor advised me to look at them when I was considering my options, and that was far in a way the best advice I was given.

I'd been to a NCT class and I'd come away with the impression that birth ending in section was an unfortunate, unusual experience. When I looked it up, at my hospital the CS rate was 30%. From the impression in classes I would have guessed about 1 in 20! And it proved true in my little NCT group- 3 out of 10 were sections in the end. So it felt less like I was giving up on an almost guaranteed VB, once i'd understood that even if I held out against induction for a week or two longer there was a 1 in 3 chance, that I still wouldn't get a VB, and that made the risk seem just not worth it.

Sorry to be blunt but a baby delivered alive is the most important thing
If they are concerned about reduced movements then take the early induction.

It’s nice to have an idea of what your ideal birth looks like but that should never preclude advice given in relation to concerns about your unborn baby. Babies are not delivered at 37 weeks for nothing

Hope everything works out well I’ve had three inductions only one after 40 weeks they were all fine

I have a close friend who has this with every pregnancy - she’s currently expecting her fifth and she’s had it every time. There’s never a reason; that they can find. Just no pattern and reduced movements, which causes her a lot of anxiety!

The first one was a section at 37 weeks but she had to stay in hospital with baby for 10 days as he wasn’t quite big enough, and she found the stay quite bad for her mental health too. The other three she’s been induced between 38 and 39 weeks. With two, she seemed to have great induction experiences - with one, she went into natural labour the night before the induction so didn’t need it.

It’s tough to advise but it’s such a personal call, but weigh up your options and see what suits you best. For me, I’d ask if there are risks to the baby if you wait until 38/39 weeks; and if those outweigh the benefits. But it’s your call.

I know my friend managed to get extra monitoring in that point but she also found it much easier when she finished work and had a plan, and she could distract herself a bit with daily/weekly tasks to do, which helped her anxiety.