Early induction reduced movements

[Fipfop]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience or understands reasoning.

I was at my 34 week midwife appointment today. I've been in 3 times so far for reduced movements. This is due to having an anterior placenta so missing a lot of movement that's happening, I think a bit of a sleepy baby as well as a bit of anxiety on my part due to having low Papp a so am on high alert for anything going wrong at this stage.

Every time I'm checked baby has passed the ctg, growth scans are going well, fluid is good and cord blood flow is good as well.

My midwife said today if I went in again they would likely be discussing inducing me at 37 weeks. I'd really rather not be induced early unless necessary as I am hoping for a vbac so want my body to be as ready as possible as they will only do a part induction.

Now I know I can decline this, however I just wanted to understand a bit more why they would suggest an induction. If all tests are coming back ok, why would they want to induce? Is there something else that could be going on that these tests could be missing? I don't want to induce before baby is ready to come unnecessarily, but equally I don't want to turn down an induction if baby could be at risk.

Because any chance of a stillborn baby is a chance too high.

You can decline, of course, but as medical professionals they are trying to do all they can to advise against an awful scenario.

You are probably right- probably is just a sleepy baby as everything seems fine, but they don’t know that for sure and something may be overlooked.

From what I know, they induce early for women who come in for multiple episodes of reduced movements for two main reasons. 1) because if there are genuine concerns from the mother about reduced movement while in utero, they want to take these seriously and quite simply it's safer for baby to be delivered safely once full term than it is to risk something happening while obviously the mother can't be monitored 24/7 while baby is in utero. And 2) and I ask you to please not take this the wrong way, but a lot of the time it's due to anxiety in the mother. 99% of the time reduced movements are not actually "reduced movements" and they are in fact just normal movements that are perceived as reduced by an anxious mother. And anxiety in the mother is not good for her, and it's definitely not good for baby. So they induce women who repeatedly come in for reduced movements in an attempt to lessen the anxiety. As long as baby is full term and they think it's safe to get them out, they'll often get them out. In my hospital I think if you go in for reduced movements more than twice they will induce you. Personally it's never an option I'd accept, but I didn't have reduced movements with any of pregnancies so it's very difficult for me to truly understand how it feels.

@csection12 so there is still a chance that something is being missed on the tests that they're doing? Obviously I will listen so medical advice, wouldn't want to do anything to put baby at risk.

@wibblywobblybits

This is my concern. I have had a bit of an anxious pregnancy, this baby moves
Far less than my daughter did which doesn't help. However I really don't want baby to come before it's ready just because I'm worrying. Equally don't want to miss something!

I suppose these are all things I can discuss with the doctor if I end up back in!

No, with respect I don't think that's what she was saying. I think what she means is that you are going in with reduced movements for a reason, and despite the fact that on every previous occasion there's been absolutely nothing that they're concerned about, they will take your concerns seriously and if you continually think that you're not feeling baby move enough then they won't risk it and will get the baby out.

I think if you are really concerned there actually are options to ask to be kept in hospital and monitored around the clock, rather than being induced early. But I don't know how common that is and I'm sure it's dependant on your hospital policy. I feel for you, it almost feels like a lose lose for you. Either you keep baby in and keep worrying, or you get baby out before they're "ready". Both my boys came at 38 weeks, first through induction and second after 2 sweeps as I had obstetric cholestasis which has an increased risk of still birth. I chose sweeps the second time around as my induction experience wasn't the best, but both boys came out at 38 weeks very healthy weights (despite me measuring small both times) and had absolutely no issues. Sometimes it is better to just get them out and try to minimise any risk.

Right ok that makes sense. Sorry baby brain haha.

Thanks so much @wibblywobblybits for your perspective. My daughter was a failed induction at 40 weeks that ended in a c section so I really wanted to allow baby time to come when they were ready this time. But of course want the safest option for baby too. I think a really good talk with the consultant if I have to go in again to discuss options would help. Was just a bit surprised when the midwife said this today as I expected that if monitoring was ok they would just keep letting me go on but I do get that after a certain amount of time it's too much of a risk. Just can't see that I won't be in again as baby seems to have a good week then barely anything for a week!