Movement tracking is driving me crazy!

[Emalouise25111]

Hey everyone!

So I feel as though I’m starting to lose my mind tracking movements so just looking for some advice/a way to remain calm over the remaining 12 weeks of my pregnancy.

I’m nearly 28 weeks pregnant and have started tracking movements with an app over the last few days, just trying to see if a pattern is beginning to emerge. Basically my pattern is that my pattern changes every day!

Sometimes he is very active through the night, other nights he is quieter. Sometimes I feel him before I leave for work, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I feel him lots through the day, sometimes just a few faint kicks … you catch my drift!

Having previously lost a pregnancy, I’m finding this pregnancy very stressful and anxiety inducing and I’m taking my baby’s movements very seriously.

The problem is, I find the advice over ‘reduced’ or ‘changed’ movement VERY vague and confusing. If I followed the advice exactly, I would literally be in triage every single day because every day there is SOME form of change.

I’ve already been in twice for reduced movements (once at 23 weeks and once at 26).

I know that the general consensus is that they are always happy to see you/never delay/always go if you’re worried. The problem is: I’m worried most days and I’m really struggling to gauge what ‘reduced’ actually means.

Any advice would be much appreciated ❤️

I didn’t use an app. I just went with what felt normal. So I was usually kicked a lot at midnight.
there was a pattern, it did change very gradually as I got nearer the end but I felt movement frequently throughout the day and night

My baby was like this, some days he was quieter than others. I did go in once for reduced movement and the day after he was properly going for it again. Have you noticed anything that will get baby moving? Mine went very kicky when I went to see the latest Jurassic Park film!

It’s really hard but an app is probably just making it more stressful. I went with if I hadn’t felt her for a while, drink something sugary and wait for the kicks. I ended up going in 3 times for reduced movements but not sure I really needed to….

My first baby didn't really have a set pattern, even up to birth to be honest!

27 weeks with baby number 2 now, and although she does have more of a 'pattern' my general rule is if I haven't noticed or felt her in a couple of hours I do things that I know will get her moving.

Sometimes it's very easy to miss movements with a busy life etc so just take some time every now and then if you're unsure to relax and focus. Like pp said try a fizzy drink, or something sugary to see if that helps

Personally I'm more worried about reduced movements than a change in pattern (in my own body ofc I am in no way saying that it would be the same for you)

Hey @Emalouise25111

I don’t have much advice but just wanted to say I’m in exactly the boat! Almost 28 weeks and after previous loses supper anxious.

Was so happy to be feeling movements but finding it really hard to gauge a pattern. I’ve stayed away from apps for now because I think it might make me feel worse. The only thing I have noticed is she moves a lot after I’ve eaten so I’m taking that as a pattern!

it’s really hard to work out isn’t it! Have you got a 28week midwife appointment? I’m going to talk to mine a bit about it, maybe they might have some good advice!

x

I went in for reduced movement at 30wks after a busy and stressful few days of work, typically as soon as I was hooked up for monitoring she was merrily kicking away. The midwife said it’s completely normal and a lot of women often miss movements when they’re busy or preoccupied. She also went on to say that they don’t expect to see an established pattern of movements until after 32wks so I’d try not to worry too much OP. Maybe step away from the app if it’s causing more anxiety than good?

I don’t know if this helps - I went in for reduced movement with my son and was taken straight round for an emergency c sec as he was in distress (he was thankfully fine after he was born but had tied himself up in knots in there and had pooed!). I knew something was different because normally he pretty much always started moving when I lay down but this time he didn’t. I lay there for quite a while prodding him, had a drink, ate something - all things that would usually get a kick but this time didn’t. So even though I hadn’t been properly tracking his movements throughout pregnancy it was noticeably different that day. If there is something like lying down or eating that generally gets your baby moving then that can be a helpful way of checking if they seem normal to you and if you’re unsure they never mind checking you at the hospital x

There’s an app? I hope it’s free at least, and not cashing in on anxious pregnant women.

I never tracked anything. I was just subconsciously aware of movement and then one morning I realised it was conspicuous by its absence so went in. At which point he started going bananas of course and I felt a fraud.

I could have written this post when I was pregnant! The trust your instinct thing is so tricky when you’re an anxious person (as I was). I had also had a loss and the pregnancy was fraught with difficulties.

I did use an app then stopped because it was making me really freak out. What I did was set aside time (probably 3 slots a day) where I lay on my bed and counted movements for 20 - 30 mins or so . This normally reassured me that baby was moving ok. The other thing - talk to your midwife about how you are feeling and get them to be more specific with advice for you.

sending love.

This was me a few months ago, I sent myself barmy and anxiety wasn't helping as I would overthink very little thing. One thing I will say though is if you're not happy, go in and get checked.

My midwife told me not to look for a pattern as such, because mine changed every couple of days ! She said if at the end of the day you can say you're not happy with the movements you've felt, go in.

Stop using the app! It’s pointless and making you stressed. So what if there is a pattern or not a pattern to movement.
Is there a pattern to your own movement? Less when sleeping , more when awake. That’s the pattern of your baby too and it does not need tracking especially if it makes you anxious / worried. Not all technology is beneficial

I am the same have no idea what he doing confused with his pattern.

He has been moving and kicking not even that active though like normal. But my stomach has got bigger so wondering if that's why.

It's really stressful and my babies never had any pattern eg time of day etc. However I did notice they tended to move more after I ate and I would notice the movement more when I was quiet and not distracted. When I started to worry a bit (which was often with my 1st), I'd eat and lie down in peace and give it 30 mins and would usually have clear movement that would reassure me. I often felt anxious though at the idea I should be able to spot a pattern because it wasn't that straightforward. I also don't think it's entirely straightforward to just go in to hospital every time you are unsure, for me that could have been several times a week but would have been much more about my anxiety, plus with DC2, I would have had the factor in childcare, work etc. I was always very well looked after when I did go in for reduced movements and never made to feel silly, but it couldn't practically be the solution to my anxiety about it.