What's too early for a pattern

[thunderonlyhappenswhenits]

I'm 22 weeks today. I'd say for the last about 3 weeks I've felt movement everyday. It can differ slightly but mainly stays the same. I feel her first thing in the morning when I wake up, on and off throughout the morning, the odd movements in the afternoon and then she seems to be abit more active in the evening again.

Sometimes it can change slightly, she might not be as active in the morning until I'm actually out of bed and having my morning decaf. So when do you know what's a pattern ? As they say they don't establish one for a while yet, and also reduced movements aren't really counted until after 24 weeks. So it leaves me confused. If my baby has been doing the same thing mainly everyday for the last few weeks, is that not a pattern? And if those movements are noticeably reduced one day, should that warrant a call or is it still too early?

She wasn't moving this morning until I've got up, and now she is moving a little, it feels lighter. Does that just mean she's changed position?

Just giving this a bump

My consultant told me not to worry about a pattern until 24 weeks.

Pressed send too soon! Hope you are ok!

I could have wrote this post myself, she is very active when I wake and then on and off during the day and then back to active at night. I think personally for myself I'm noticing these patterns as she is my first baby and first pregnancy to make it this far so I'm constantly looking out for a pattern even if it may be a bit early! I was told by my midwife that 28 weeks + is when you are able to establish more of a pattern, probably due to the fact there's less room for them to move about by that point !

28 weeks by most trusts. Before then if you detect a change it could just be because baby has changed positions and it's still small enough to then have muffled/unnoticeable movements.

Thank you everyone. I know it can be normal to have quieter days but it's still quite worrying when it does happen. Baby is still small at this stage isn't it too? I guess because I feel massive it feels like they don't have much room in there so therefore I think I should be feeling every movement...
She is moving just definitely lighter

28 weeks is usually when they tell you to monitor movements as before then baby has a lot of space to move into and movements are usually unpredictable and they won't hook you up to monitor you until 28 weeks onwards.

That been said, if you feel concerned enough there is no harm calling your Midwife, although they won't be able to put you on a monitor etc they may listen in with a doppler.

Sounds to me like an active baby who just hasn't established a pattern as such but you are feeling her which is reassuring.

I'm 38 weeks and was obsessed about getting a movement pattern, it hasn't happened yet, she moves when she wants and I can roughly track her by knowing she should move in an evening, but it does vary! Movements have been one of the most stressful parts of pregnancy for me. Midwives constantly tell you to that you will know what is normal for you... The reality of first baby is I don't have a clue.

If like me, you don't have a pattern it's really stressful to know when to call maternity assessment or not, I was minful I didn't want to be calling all the time for reassurance, luckily whenever I've got to the point I'm gonna ring, she moves!! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Absolutely no harm in calling your maternity unit and seeing if they'll have you in for monitoring. If you have already got a reliable pattern and the baby is differing then I can't see why 22 weeks would be ignored but 24 wouldn't be. I can't imagine there is anything to worry about, especially as she is still moving, but always worth getting checked if you're concerned.

Thank you. I will see how we get on today/tonight as it's not like this hasn't happened before. She tends to have a few active days then a couple of quiter ones but I hate the quiet days !
And I can feel her moving about, they just feel more distant, the only way to describe it! So I'm thinking she's moved !

Honestly all this worry !! It's been 8 years since my last pregnancy and I really can't remember the movements properly, I know I didn't feel the first tap until 20 weeks but my mind is blank to any patterns etc!
This time I felt the first poke at 16 weeks and I've got so much more anxiety

Urgh OP, I have just posted about similar on another thread! I have anterior placenta so don't feel a great deal to start with, I am 26 weeks now.

I thought the baby was getting into a pattern a couple of weeks ago as I was feeling movement first thing if I'd got up for the loo and then gone back to bed, and also after I'd eaten, but then it stopped and changed to something different. I was freaking out last week as I had no movement first thing, but as I was still feeling the baby move a bit through the day, I didn't go in for a check and now it's back moving a lot more again. I think it must have changed positions and where it's still quite small it's easy to miss the movements.

Most places I have read say that after 28 weeks is the time to look for a pattern, but I know I'll still be having a nightmare because of how little I do feel with my placenta how it is, I'll probably end up getting checked a few times a week 🙈

I think patern spotting can be a bit anxiety inducing. Babies move positions and also get affected by what you're doing but obviously noticble changes do need to be looked at and I would get checked out just in case.

I'm going to see if she perks up again like she has before. I can't get to the hospital easily as I don't drive, have to do the school run soon etc. I have anxiety aswell pretty bad and I'm trying really hard just lately not to reassurance seek. Of course if she doesn't move at all that's a different story but I have felt her today, I'm hoping she's just having a lazy day !

Muffled ! That's the word I've been looking for, the movements feel muffled today ! I have a posterior placenta too so it's not a placenta thing. Just felt her move again as typing this. Bloody anxiety!!!

I'm 30 weeks now and would say I am only just beginning to notice a pattern. For weeks I was convinced my baby's pattern was that she had no pattern which brought no end of anxiety 🤦🏼‍♀️
I'd saying it's literally only been the last week I've felt consistent movements. Been in to MAC several times this pregnancy with concerns and she's always been fine. If you are every worried please call hospital xx

I'm currently 27 weeks and don't have a pattern yet - I've been up to the hospital for a check when 2 weeks ago I hadn't felt any movements all day - everything was absolutely fine and they said the baby is still small and it was all based on their position at the time.
If you're really worried I'd say contact your midwife/triage, I felt so much better for it and thats generally the advice they give you anyway! The second I got to the hospital and lay down I started feeling kicks...its usually the way haha.

Thanks to all who have replied and tried to reassure me with their own experiences.
I did end up going and getting checked out, I rang for advice more than anything and they wanted me to go in. She said if I feel baby has established a pattern then any change to that shouldn't be ignored, even at 22 weeks.
Anyway, she used the Doppler and I felt a sudden jerk away from it ! She thinks she's probably just turned around and chilling that way today hence the muffled movements.