40+3 reduced movements, normal NST.

[binxii]

So I went in for an NST as the baby wasn't moving much yesterday. I went for an NST/scan etc and everything with baby looked good. Tonight he is still moving, just nowhere near as much as usual. I also have become HUGE the last two weeks and strangely, I have noticed a slow decline in movement since my bump got extremely big. I checked his heartbeat on the doppler and its normal, he's just not active. Wondering if anyone experienced anything similar? Obviously if he keeps this up I will get re-checked.

I really wouldn’t wait to go get checked again, I would be going now. It’s just not worth it. At this stage if movements have reduced a lot I’d be wanting to get the baby out to be honest, why risk anything terrible happening? Not to panic you but I would just phone the hospital asap and go back in.

I insisted on staying at hospital and being monitored when I experienced recurrent RFM. RFMs aren't related to bump or the baby's size. Medical professionals don't recommend using home Doppler kits because they can be misleading and cause a false sense of security when something could be very seriously wrong.

Same here. I ended up being induced and then ECS. I dread to think what would've happened if I'd waited.

I actually asked for an induction when I was in yesterday but she said unless it's medically necessary they won't be intervening yet.

Sorry you are worried OP. They aren't intervening because the results of the AFFIRM trial showed that inducing women for reduced movements resulted in more Caesareans and more/longer NICU admissions, with no reduction in stillbirths. I'd still encourage you to go back in if you feel things aren't right, but the evidence doesn't actually support induction.

I see. I was wondering why they were telling me they don't offer induction till 42 weeks 🙄 I think I will go in again because I've barely felt him tonight at all. Just a few wiggles here and there.

Defo go in op, they would always prefer you to go in than not to bother them xx

Im in the waiting room now. Sooo beyond tired as I've had no sleep all night 🙃 They checked his heartbeat in the triage and it was normal. Waiting for baby to be monitored again.

Glad all is ok. I would push to be kept in if possible. I would also ask again about an induction.

Good work op, hope all is ok xx

Do not leave that hospital. And you cannot rely on that doppler. Ask to be kept in and monitored.

At 42 weeks your risk of anything going wrong increases. I have no idea why they would wait until that far to intervene.

I would keep referring to your reduced movements. My trust offers section or induction if you are at term with multiple instances of reduced movements.

I had something similar, I was having extra growth scans and at 37 weeks there was suddenly extra fluid around the baby (polyhydramnios I think it's called) and the baby had shot up the centiles. The extra fluid was masking the movements. They thought it could be gestational diabetes but it was too late in the pregnancy to test, and baby was also breech and had been throughout, so they brought forward the planned caesarean.

I was induced in May last year for RFM at 39 weeks. That full week I hardly felt him at all whereas he'd always been active before that.

Every time I was monitored he was fine but I still couldn't feel him, when I was being monitored before having the pessary his heart rate kept dropping and he wasn't moving much on the ctg so I was glad they induced me when they did.
I had a straight forward, very quick labour and a vaginal birth.

I'm glad you're being seen today but if you get sent home, keep going back every time you feel something isn't right. It isn't recommended to use Dopplers at home as they may make you think everything is okay when unfortunately it may not be

They monitored him for an hour and a half and as soon as those straps were attached to my belly he became really active which made me look crazy back at the hospital again for reduced movements🤦🏻‍♀️They told me the same thing they did last time, that the baby is well so they won't be intervening until medically necessary or when I reach 42 weeks. Maybe that's how things work in this country idk 🤷🏻‍♀️ It's annoying for sure. I'm gonna be paranoid now until he's here.

Well done on going in, and go back in every time you get reduced movements, just in case!

So dopplers aren't reliable? I've used mine all throughout my pregnancy as a sort of anti anxiety measure/reassurance. Maybe it wasn't even helpful after all, ha.

@binxii no, they're not recommended because without being trained to use one it's so easy to use it wrong. You can use it and get a heartbeat but it may turn out it's actually your own heartbeat or the placenta but you think everything's okay when it could not be (sadly this has happened which is the main reason they're not recommended). Or the opposite way you could not find a heartbeat which then causes unnecessary worry when everything may be fine.

How did you get on at the hospital today?

42 weeks is further on than I'd want to go, it's all assuming dates, measurements etc are right and the placenta isn't older than they think it is.

Keep pushing them for an earlier delivery date.

Ridiculous comment.

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/blogs-and-stories/im-pregnant/pregnancy-news-and-blogs/movements-matter-challenging-baby-movement-myths

Babies move differently. Only You're aware of the pattern in your baby's movements but any change in that pattern should be investigated asap. It's a myth that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy because there's very little room- yes they may not do summersaults or flips anymore but they should still move around freely and those movements as they get bigger should feel sharp/pronounced. You should feel your baby move right up to and during labour.

Not trying to frighten anyone but Stillbirths are a huge reality for lots of parents out there, I'll say it again as I have many times on MN: do not talk yourself out of worrying about reduced foetal movements- if your baby isn't moving around as much- go get it checked out.

Re: Doppler. The things should be banned for use by non-professionals:

It is essential not to use home listening kits to check up on your baby, especially when you feel there may be reduced movements. Listening to your baby’s heartbeat should only ever be done by a trained professional as it is possible to confuse your pulse for your baby’s heartbeat. This can provide false reassurance and could potentially put both of you at risk.

www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/maternity/during-pregnancy/maternity-assessment-unit/reduced-fetal-movements/

This old wives tale of babies move less at the end as there's less room is wrong and so dangerous. Any reduced movement is cause for medical concern and should always be checked out. Babies do not move less near to labour or as your bump gets bigger and people still being told this is worrying. X

Remember this is your baby not theirs. Don't put their feelings or work pressures before the life of your child. We nearly lost our baby because of a cow of a midwife. If we had have lost him she wouldn't even remember us now whereas I will never forget her.

Go in every day if you want to. Nothing matters more than the safety of your child.

Any huge increase in movements needs checking too. Any change.

Yes defo @SunshineCake1

What country are you in?