Baby dropped less movement is this normal

[scrabbledabbl]

Please help all. I have already been in to get monitored twice this week and now I feel like I'm being a burden / they will think I'm nuts if I rock up again!

Did anyone else feel reduced movements once baby had dropped? Is it normal? I'm already an anxious mess so this is enough to send me into overdrive :( I'm 36 weeks

Thanks in advance xx

Please go and get checked again. Midwives would rather you get checked, than sit worrying. This is what they are there for.

I think it can be normal when the head engages but get checked. That's what the midwives are there for.

They would never think you are wasting their time.

No it's not normal, you need to get checked again

Reduced movements should always be checked. The midwives would rather see you than not.

No, reduced movements is never normal. You can’t go in too many times. You should go in again now.

Are you having regular scans? You should have a Doppler scan with recurrent reduced movements at this gestation.

Get checked out for reduced movements, always. Doesn't matter if you were seen last week or yesterday - every day is a new day and things can change.

Thanks all. I just feel so worried about wasting their time the last time I went in the midwife made me feel in an indirect way that I was overreacting / worrying too much and everything was fine so I just feel nervous about going back.

I am guessing from what you all are saying movements shouldn't reduce or feel different if baby has dropped???

No, movements should reduce/change.
Get seen.
They would rather you did 100%.

Don't feel nervous, it's their job at the end of the day to make sure everything is fine.

You are not wasting anyone's time. This is your baby and you need to be checked. Hope everything is OK x

Less movement isn't normal when baby drops but it might feel different/ you might feel the movement in a different place as baby is lower. I've definitely found that the movements changed in feel once baby engaged. I went in for reduced movements three times and got referred for a scan to check all was ok. The consultant I saw said that a change in feeling of the movements was normal because baby has less room but not for you to feel them any less if that makes sense.

Also as PP have said, it is always better to go in! I cried with embarrassment the last time I went in because as soon as I was on the monitor, baby did a stomach moving kick having been quiet for the entire afternoon and I was worried I was wasting their time. The midwife said they would always rather you went in, they see the other side when people don't and there is something wrong

@GrowBabyGrow thanks GBG what did the movements feel like when you say a change in movement but still feeling movement - like less intense or less hard etc? The last few weeks they have felt quite tight and strained for me. I do also have an anterior placenta.

@GrowBabyGrow the same happened to me the last time I went in after not feeling anything all morning the baby started moving / kicking as soon as I was strapped up and I feel like they think I'm making it up :(

I completely relate as I felt the sane but don't worry, they won't feel you are making it up. Maternal perception of movements is a clinical measure of baby health so they have to take it seriously, and you know your baby best because they are inside you 24/7! The restriction of the strap apparently can cause them to move around more or shift position especially as we get bigger and they have less room.

Tight and strained definitely sounds right. More like they are sort of writhing around rather than swimming! The consultant said it's because they don't have room to do a running kick 😂 but he also reiterated that it is better to go in if unsure. If you've had two or more eps of reduced movements in third trimester they should be referring you for a scan to check all is ok with placenta and umbilical cord and growth etc. I was referred after my third (and so far last 🤞 episode of reduced movements) but when I went in for the third one they were surprised I hadn't already had a scan so think it's meant to be after two eps at my trust.

The only advice on here will be - or should be - to call your midwife team. Noone should advise you to leave it.

This is your baby. If you feel something isn't right, please get it checked.

As time goes on the movements may feel a bit different but they should not reduce in frequency. Always get checked if you’re worried :)

Thanks all - is it possible that I just can't feel the movements as intensely because I have an anterior placenta and baby is further down?

The advice is if the pattern of movement changes you should contact them. They should never make you feel bad, I would much rather be inconvenient to them and know baby was OK. I would at least call and explain what you're experiencing.

How are things op?

Yes definitely go back. I had reduced movements with dc1 and I had 3 episodes of reduced movements, so from 37.5 weeks, after the last episode, I had to go in for daily monitoring, the plan was to get me to 39 weeks and induce. They never found a reason, but it's certainly a worry. Hope all is ok now.

Any change in movement should be checked OP even if it’s more than normal. You are not wasting someone’s time by making sure your baby is safe

Do not ALLOW anyone to make you feel ‘nuts’ or a burden. You do what you know is best- which is to look after yourself and your baby.

Go in and get checked.
Be assertive- it’s often needed with the nhs.