Reduced movement again 2 days later

[scrantonelectriccity]

I'm 37+2, I was at the MAU only 2 days ago for reduced movement as I had hardly felt baby move all day and of course once I was there and on the CTG she was moving like crazy but all day she'd hardly moved. The midwife said they'd been really busy with reduced movement cases that day and it was likely because of the heat.

I was told because it was my 3rd visit for reduced movement (I went twice at around 25 weeks) then I'd be referred for a scan but as I only had a growth scan last week I couldn't have the scan for another week. I also got a snippy comment that they wouldn't be bringing my c section any sooner (I don't want that!)

2 days later and I feel like the movements have reduced once again, she's still moving and I've had a few kicks this morning it just feels much less frequent and less strong, she usually kicks loads after my dinner and keeps me up from falling asleep at night because of all the movement but not last night

I am going to be ringing as soon as DD is awake (currently asleep on me) but I just wanted someone to talk to as I'm worried they'll think I'm taking the mick and she'll start moving loads as soon as I'm there

Are you okay with a plan to send you home given the continued lack of movements or medical checks? Have they done a scan to check the blood flow through the cord since you went in this morning? Personally I would not want to leave until that had happened. It is distinct from a standard growth scan.

Now is the time to politely but firmly advocate for your baby. You have significant concerns, they are not addressing them. I find the broken record technique works well in these circumstances. Just keep politely but firmly putting your concerns across to every single medical professional you see.

I had something similar happen in the first lockdown. Hugely understaffed and no one properly engaging. I persisted despite then trying to dismiss the issue.

Eventually I insisted that I wanted it written on my notes that I had raised specific concerns including in relation to the quality of care so that there was a clear record of what had happened incase things went wrong. I also let them know I was emailing PALS to let them hear my perspective so that there would be a contemporaneous record.

At that point they grudgingly sent me for a scan to check the blood flow through the cord with a view to dismissing me. My placenta was failing and baby was in my arms half an hour later. Thankfully all was well but I was later told that it would likely have been a very different story without that scan.

How stressful for you OP. I had reduced movements towards the end of both my pregnancies and I was terrified I was going to lose them.

At 37 weeks there is absolutely minimal risk to your baby if she is delivered now, especially as you’ve been given steroids too. You are clearly very worried and it doesn’t sound like you are getting the best care (related to the strikes it seems) so in your case I would probably opt for the c-section, even if her movements improve a little tonight, just so you know she’s out and safe in your arms.

Wishing you all the best OP. You must advocate for yourself and your baby, you’re her greatest voice x

All my obs of myself and baby were fine strangely.. it wasn't until she came out after a week of failed induction and a hideous 5 day natural labour attempt they took me for a section, they gave her to my husband and did the normal things.. I just said to a member of staff she isn't right her scream was awful and so high pitched they then whisked her to the neonatal unit for lumbar punctures and bloods and discovered she had sepsis x

Having been through reduced movements and being induced early - albeit by a much more supportive team of midwives and consultant I wouldn’t be telling them I was happy tomorrow - even if your baby starts moving as normal.

Thinking of you OP. I had lots of episodes of reduced movement and ended up going in for daily monitoring. At 37+4, I pushed for early c section and had the two steroid injections. My daughter was fine and I was so relieved to have her in my arms. I did have to push quite a bit to have the c section brought forward though.

I had waters break at 37 weeks, after initial increase in contractions she stopped moving for an afternoon. I was already booked for induction at 37+2 and MAU wanted me to wait for it, but I wasn't happy with that. I was in active labour and still attempting to send me home. She came within 24hrs of my waters breaking at 37+1. Listen to what you're feeling, if you aren't happy don't let them dismiss your concerns.

Good luck op I've read your thread and hope everything is ok with you and your precious baby xxx

Your baby is fully cooked, everything will be working fine, she will be absolutely fine if delivered tomorrow. Which I hope she is.

It’s really good they have given you a choice about tomorrow. As viques says, DD is fully cooked and the steroids will be giving her lungs a boost so if your instincts and the level of movement are telling you to have her delivered tomorrow then I’d go with that. I don’t think they’d be giving you a choice if they weren’t happy that she’s ready to be out in the world. I hope you manage to get a little rest before you meet your little girl. Good luck .

Thanks so much everyone, you're all completely right and she's fully cooked! I've had a shower and got into bed and this is usually when she's most active and nothing has happened so I think I'll go ahead with the c section tomorrow, something just doesn't feel right

Do they have plans to monitor overnight?

keep trusting yourself Scranton. In many situations feelings might not always be a good indication of what’s best to do, but in this situations I think your instincts are really important to take notice of. Lots and lots of luck for tomorrow and if you feel you need or want more frequent monitoring overnight then your getting, absolutely make yourself heard.

Just read your thread. Sendin you all the best for tomorrow

Please tell them again that she still isn't active at what is her usual super active time and could they at the very least do heartbeat monitoring again.

She could have the cord wrapped around her body which with a c-section should be fine but I wouldn't be happy with the lack of monitoring for a whole 12 hours after a dubious last monitoring period.

It probably is the heat/sickness causing the reduced movements (happened to me) however I personally don't think it's worth the risk. Follow your instinct and have the section tomorrow. I had my DD at a similar gestation, following steroids, and her lungs were absolutely fine. She was also 7LB5 so a decide size, like it sounds like your little one will be.

Hi OP,

Hope you're doing okay. I don't want to worry you because it's very rare & you've not had bleeding but this sounds very similar to what happened with my first except it followed a large (but short lived bleed).
When I finally got scanned (nearly 30 hours later)!!! They realised I had a placental abruption and I had to deliver emergency section.
I had been saying for the entire 30hrs that I was deeply worried about movements and they kept telling me baby was fine, heart rate was lovely and he was being lazy!
Baby was not fine, born in distress and in poor condition. We spent a while in NICU etc.

It's very unlikely to be the same thing but I just thought I'd come on to say that if you feel something is not right then trust your gut!

Thank you for sharing, they keep telling me she's a lazy baby too but she's not, she usually moves loads.

She's not moved for a few hours again so having another CTG in an hour

Not sure I even want to wait until tomorrow afternoon

Also they won't do a scan as I had one last week and policy is two weeks between scans

OP your instincts were right and you're in the right place. In your shoes I would have the cesarean. If you go home you'll likely just end up coming back again.

Completely understandable. I would want her out now.

I've been for a walk, had a chocolate bar and a fizzy drink and had a couple of very small faint kicks compared to usual non stop movement at night. Told the midwife and she said "aw is she being cheeky"

No idea how I'm going to get through tonight and until tomorrow afternoon :(

Wow that is shocking from the midwife. I remember mine giving me ice cold drinks go get the readings on the ctg and telling me she was fine... even though she wasn't and her movements still wasn't right. Time to start kicking up a fuss! I don't understand why they're not doing regular listen ins with the dappled and regular traces....

Also thinking of you it really is an awful position to be in when you're in the place that is meant to make you and your baby feel safe xxx