16 weeks: was feeling movement, now nothing

[LucyEleanorModeratz]

Hi ladies

I am 16+2 and for the last week or so I’ve been feeling the early stages of movement - mainly those lovely bubbly feelings akin to a popping sensation in the uterus. Now for the last day or so I’ve had nothing.

This is my second pregnancy so I am sure it was baby movement (albeit early) and now I’m worried something has happened.

I am not sure my midwife / hospital would see me as they say they are only concerned about possible reduced movements after 24 weeks, and obviously I’m a long way from that point.

What do you think I do - sit tight and hope the movements come back soon, or pursue this further with MW / community hospital?

Many thanks xx

I had this, and so did a few other women in the group I'm on. I think because they're so small it really depends on their position and your placenta. If either moves, you stop feeling the movement.
You could always get a private scan for reassurance but EPU will probably just say its too early to expect regular movement. My midwife used a doppler at my 16 week check but not all do as it can be stressful if they can't find the heartbeat.

You should still call Triage if you suspect any reduced movement. I had a similar experience at around 19 weeks with my first baby, and I was seen by Triage that day. It's always best to err on the side of caution and get checked.

I should say - I'm now 22 weeks and I only really started feeling regular movements again at about 19weeks. So I had a good 3 weeks of no movement despite having felt some at 15/16weeks.

At that stage it’s really early still and totally normal to feel baby some days and not others depending on baby’s position etc. I don’t think the hospital will do much at this stage. Your midwife may offer to try and listen to the heartbeat but not all will as it can be hard to find still at 16 weeks and cause more anxiety.

If you are really concerned call triage, but they don’t ask you to start monitoring regular movements until after 24 weeks as it’s normal to not feel movements at all until then. At this stage they are so small it’s easy to move into a position where you don’t feel movements. It also depends placenta location.

Thank you all for your reassuring words - I’m going to sit tight and hope they come back in a few days. Sounds like he or she has changed positions :)

I really thought the second pregnancy would be totally relaxed and stress free as I’ve done it all before!

I was anxious around 16-17 weeks and the midwife let me go back to hear the heartbeat. Could that be an option for you if your community midwife offers to listen to it?

Thank you @habiller - I know rationally you’re absolutely right, and at this stage in my last pregnancy I hadn’t felt any movement whatsoever so as you say I’m lucky to have felt movement at all at this stage!

Ive got a MW appointment a week today @Blue2020 so will definitely ask for a listen-in then :)