Can I request an induction for recurrent reduced movements?

[labmum123]

I'm around 34wks and have had 4 RFM episodes since 28 weeks. Everything is fine with my baby when I attend growth scans and when i go in for CTG monitoring etc but the amount of times I've had reduced movements in my 3rd trimester doesn't quite sit right with me...

I have not yet been seen by a consultant and I don't know whether they would deem it suitable for me to have an appointment with one regarding this. However, can I request induction if I've not gone into labour by day 39 weeks? If so who do I raise it with?

I've done some googling and it does say multiple episodes of RFM can result in induction by 39 weeks but I just don't know how common it is to be offered this. Can anyone share any similar experiences with me? I am going to chat to the hospital about regular monitoring and growth scans throughout the remainder of my pregnancy too. I probably just have a lazy baby but I don't like taking the risk!

Thanks everyone!

Unless NICe guidelines have recently change, it should be automatically offered to you at 37 weeks once you have had three incidents of reduced movements.

When is your next midwife appointment? If you go in for another check up in hospital beforehand, raise it then.

My experience was that induction was offered at 37 weeks after 3 episodes of reduced movement in the previous 2 weeks

Maternal anxiety can be a valid reason for induction. Maybe not before 37 weeks though. I'm a great believer in trusting your gut when it comes to pregnancy and birth. Could you explain your concerns and ask for more frequent monitoring?

Unfortunately I struggled to get an induction booked until I was past 37 weeks- hopefully will be different for you.

I was in twice a week for movements from 30 weeks, in end from 35 weeks I was in every other day for monitoring

I struggled to get induced at 38 weeks until a different consultant checked my notes at 38+2, had been on daily monitoring since 34 weeks and scans confirmed baby wasn't moving. Honestly think it's all luck of the draw with who looks after you.

I had many episodes of reduced movements with two of my babies and both times was induced at 38 weeks because of it.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! I had no idea they would even think about inducing me before 39 weeks so quite interesting to hear that 37 weeks is the marker for most people! Is this set out in the NICE guidelines? I want to do everything I can to follow my instinct and although I'm not awfully worried I just feel like there might be something more to why I'm getting episodes of reduced movement every week or two! I'll speak to the hospital or my midwife whoever I see first. Although my midwife isn't great when it comes to voicing concerns and tends to just brush them off. We'll see anyway! Thanks everyone ☺️

The new guideline is from saving babies lives. This suggests you should only have an induction for reduced movement after 39 weeks if the scan of your baby are normal. You can request an induction from 39 weeks. The aim is to try and reduce the numbers of babies being born early term ie 37-38 weeks as brain development continues. Even an extra week can make a difference to whether the child ends with special needs. Google saving babies lives - there is a good graph showing the difference it makes

I was offered induction at 38+3 when I went in with a third episode of reduced movements. They gave me a sweep at that time but I wasn't actually induced until 39+1 because there were no available slots. I was admitted at 38+3 though, so they could monitor me, have me on hand if any induction slots became available, and to give me better pain relief because I was struggling with pelvic pain.

@Katrina2008 I had no idea about this, thanks for sharing. Having a good read of it now and will mention it at my next appointment in regards to possible induction past 39 weeks if needed! ☺️

@PolytheneRam I think this is quite common in my hospital, my friend has her baby last year and was in a similar situation. I'm also suffering really badly with pelvic pain so will also keep this in mind as it seems to worsen every week!