Very worried and feel I’m not being listened to - please help!

[Emalouise25111]

Hi everyone,

So I’m 37 weeks pregnant today and have had worries about my baby’s movements for the majority of the 3rd trimester.

We had a loss just before this pregnancy which I imagine hasn’t helped my anxiety but it’s getting to a point where the worry is becoming unbearable. I’ve gone in for monitoring probably on a weekly basis but the last 2 days I’ve been in every day.

I woke up on Friday morning and my stomach was rock hard, I’d never felt anything like it before in the pregnancy. It wasn’t coming and going, but permanent and has been that way ever since. I’ve had two different doctors have a feel who have concluded that baby’s abdomen is pressing against mine which is what I’m feeling. My concern is: how can baby’s abdomen be big enough for my entire bump (top to bottom, left to right) to be rock hard with no soft areas?

I’m at my wits end. I feel I should be logical and accept the fact that the monitoring is always fine, and believe what the doctors say about the hard bump.

But something is just niggling in the back of my mind that something is wrong that is being missed? I had a scan on Thursday and all was fine apart from slightly raised fluid levels.

I feel so reluctant to go back for a 3rd day in a row as a couple of midwives have drawn attention to the amount of times I’ve been in and I feel so embarrassed and ashamed :(

I feel as though if I go back I will be treated like a crazy woman as it is not possible to have had more reassurance than I’ve had.

But still I can’t relax…

What would you do in my situation?!

Thank you for any advice for a very stressed out FTM.

xx

[gogohmm]

Have they put you on a monitor to show to you the heartbeat is fine? If not I would state your lack of movement concerns and ask for a trace if they don't offer automatically, if that is fine you need to then trust what they are saying

[GoT1904]

What's making you feel like you want to go back today? Is it anxiety over the unexplained hard bump? Or are movements reduced again?

I initially thought perhaps you could have an irritable uterus, as people can have very long uterine contractions with that, and you can't feel baby move as well as when you're not contracting. But if it's been that way since Friday then I doubt it would be that.

The only thing I can think of is that your uterus is overstretched with baby and excess fluid. Like the doctor said, the position of baby may affect this too. The hardness over your entire bump won't be all baby, but you're likely stretched to the max at the moment.

If you're ever concerned over reduced movements, I'd still always go in. Far rather be labelled a worry wort (though I appreciate its not nice) than to ignore something. How do they monitor you when you go in? Xx

[KateC1x1]

Hey, sorry your going through this.
I had similar reduced movements with my 1st and I was monitored every couple of days but they refused to scan me. In the end a student Dr did a scan and she hadn't grown in a little while. I was induced that day.

Drs/midwifes and family all said I was overworrying and unessecarily panicking (I had an anterior placenta too) but I don't know how, I just knew something wasn't right.

I'm not trying to scare you as everything turned out perfect. But it's YOUR body and YOUR baby. If you go into hospital 100 times it's better than sitting at home wondering and worrying.
After my experience I will always follow my instincts and say that mums know their babies and their own bodies best. If something feels off get checked!

Best of luck, I'm sure everything will turn out amazing 😊

[marthasmum]

I’d contact them again OP if you’re worried. Don’t let one member of staff put you off, I’m sure others would be welcoming. And the midwife that you feel brushed you off probably won’t even be on shift if you go back.

[Glitterstars]

Go in each time you have reduced movements. Have they put you on the ctg machine to check movements. As you are 37 weeks and have been in the last few days I am surprised they have not started to discuss induction with you become even if heartbeat is fine if movements are reduced they normally look to induce if it’s all the time even if everything looks ok on the monitors as you are full term. Ask the question to them. They shouldn’t make you feel bad for going in explain you are anxious and the reasons why

[UselessExLondoner]

Can you pay for a private scan? You shouldn't have to but hopefully it will put your mind at ease.

[RNBrie]

Please go back again. Its so tedious and probably everything is fine but if you're feeling reduced movements then go back.

I had this with my third and I totally understand how you feel like a nuisance, I know it's frustrating. Im glad i went in every time i was worried.