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Original poster

Reduced movements fine on monitor, but want to induce

32 replies

Marven · 11/10/2023 11:35

I was in yesterday for reduced movements at 38 weeks. Hooked up to the monitor for half an hour and all fine. The doctor came in to chat and said because of reduced movements they want to induce.
But I'm confused because if everything is fine on the monitor, do I want to be induced so early?
Have previously been induced nearer 42 weeks and it was fine but worried about being so early. I am having a few Braxton Hicks, the baby is definitely moving less today as well, leaky boobs, bit of a sore tummy.
Does anyone have experience of having induction recommendation even when monitoring was fine?

OP posts:
minipie · 11/10/2023 11:38

I think you should ask the doctor why they are recommending.

My guess is they are thinking : worst case scenario if they induce now is you give birth a little earlier than planned (but still full term). Worst case scenario if they don’t induce: reduced movements turns into stillbirth.

Blueskies975 · 11/10/2023 11:41

I agree with @minipie they may be taking a precaution considering you're full term now so they don't want to risk it as you went in with reduced movements in the first place so it's better to be safe, especially if it happens again

Applesandpears23 · 11/10/2023 11:43

Have you had an ultrasound to check on bloodflow? If you don’t want an induction you could ask for a scan.

Original poster
Marven · 11/10/2023 11:44

Thank you. Yes I thought it might be because of much more serious consequences, but really struggled to get a coherent answer out of the doctor.
If I had a crystal ball it would be so much easier to make the decision. I'm dreading an awful early induction but do get a sense of my body getting ready

OP posts:
Lavendersquare · 11/10/2023 11:45

You're only 2 weeks early so as others have said I'd take the induction to be on the safe side. Your baby will grow if left and if they're already a bit squashed that could result in a stillbirth, please listen to the doctor they don't suggest these things unless they really need to.

Original poster
Marven · 11/10/2023 11:46

Thank you @minipie & @Blueskies975
Yes @Applesandpears23 I'm actually waiting to hear about a scan now. Hopefully that will give me some more answers. Thank you

OP posts:
Ponche · 11/10/2023 11:47

I was induced at 38+5 after reduced movements (monitoring was fine). Baby was born at 39+1. I was worried about being induced early, but had had a few episodes of reduced movements so didn’t want to risk anything.

Original poster
Marven · 11/10/2023 11:48

@Lavendersquare thank you. I do trust the doctors, it's just that I don't want a long drawn out painful induction that ends in emcs - when it might not have been needed.
But I'm not that early now really I suppose. I was just thinking I'd get to nearly 42 weeks again - so feels like I've lost a few weeks

OP posts:
Original poster
Marven · 11/10/2023 11:48

Thanks @Ponche - how was your induction at that many weeks? Did you have time for sweeps before hand?

OP posts:
00deed1988 · 11/10/2023 11:50

Is this your first episode of reduced movements?

andtheworldrollson · 11/10/2023 11:50

I think the doctor means don't panic now but we are concerned that this could go wrong very quickly

mumtotwox · 11/10/2023 11:51

@Marven I was induced at 38 weeks with my second due to high BP. I had the pessary and it brought on contractions thick and fast - I got it out after 5 hours. I did find it really tough and felt like I couldn't catch a break! Induction begun at 12pm and baby was born at 3.38am xx

MollyMarples · 11/10/2023 11:52

Hi OP, I know it feels like it’s super early compared to your previous pregnancy, but I certainly wouldn’t want to get to 42 weeks, being overdue by 2 weeks increases the risk of stillborn by 60%. I had ELCS at 39 weeks, and baby was perfect, 8lb. You are full term now, I wish you very best of luck with the birth and with baby x

Original poster
Marven · 11/10/2023 11:53

@00deed1988 yes first instance. Definitely changed over the last couple of days

@mumtotwox oh quick! Maybe it wouldn't be to bad. It's not first baby either

OP posts:
mumtotwox · 11/10/2023 11:55

@Marven They did a scan before I decided what to do and said "this boy is ready to come out". He weighed 8lb 13oz 😆 I was quite glad to have done the induction once I found that out!

You will be great. Would they want to induce today or tomorrow?

PurpleBananaSmoothie · 11/10/2023 11:56

If you have reduced movements, then you have a higher risk of stillbirth. You don’t have to accept an induction but the doctors are very risk adverse and would much rather induce a woman who is full term than the alternative.

I had an induction scheduled for 39 weeks but I had reduced movements and agreed to an earlier induction at 38 weeks. I only need the pessary to start labour and that was after a failed sweep and being told my cervix wasn’t favourable.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 11/10/2023 11:58

I had induction with first baby due to ivf not reduced movements. But it's was quick 17 hours from Pessary to delivery.

I think at this stage if the risk is still north I would go for induction and do all you can to help labour eg get the oxytocin flowing being really relaxed anything to induce those feel good hormones trying to be as positive as possible to help the process as much as you can.

Good luck

midwife32 · 11/10/2023 12:00

It's a very precautionary thing.
If it was a brief episode reduced and it's now normal with a normal scan then personally I'd swerve an induction. If remains reduced then would consider.
Induction isnt much fun, being on a delivery suite increases chance of CS/forceps/ventouse/hormone drip/epidural/episiotomy so it's worth having a good evidence based reason to go there.

midwife32 · 11/10/2023 12:01

MollyMarples · 11/10/2023 11:52

Hi OP, I know it feels like it’s super early compared to your previous pregnancy, but I certainly wouldn’t want to get to 42 weeks, being overdue by 2 weeks increases the risk of stillborn by 60%. I had ELCS at 39 weeks, and baby was perfect, 8lb. You are full term now, I wish you very best of luck with the birth and with baby x

But it's a tiny risk to a tiny risk- balanced with the risks of induction.

Ttcmumma · 11/10/2023 12:02

My son came at 38 weeks and was 7lb. His waters actually broke at 37+5 so I had to be induced. He's 5 now and in 7-8 clothing lol

Ponche · 11/10/2023 12:05

No sweeps or anything beforehand. Had the pessary Friday night and that was in for 24 hours and Saturday night my body was ready for waters to be broken but unfortunately it was a really busy weekend and there were no beds free in the delivery suite until Tuesday afternoon and baby was born Tuesday night via forceps.

My advice if you end up being induced- bring in your own pillow/blanket/ear plugs in case you’re in for a few days. Don’t be afraid to ask for pain relief in the early stages- paracetamol and codeine is probably the most they can give but keep on top of it. Take in a hot water bottle (you may have to fill and refill this yourself) and they should be able to give you a warm heat pad to help with the pain.

The hormone drip means contractions come thick and fast and are more painful than natural ones, so if you want an epidural ask if you can have it before they start the drip (you may not need the drip though).

It was my first baby and I feel my body wasn’t ready but I would do it all again rather than chance the risk of waiting. Wish you all the best 💐

Original poster
Marven · 11/10/2023 12:29

Thank you so much everyone this is really helpful advice.

I don't think movements are completely normal, which is making me more on the side of cautious. I think I'll wait for the scan info but then just go with it. You're all right - I'm so nearly there anyway

OP posts:
Olika · 11/10/2023 12:35

I would do whatever they recommend as you say movements have changed. I know you got to 42 weeks last time but I don't think you should aim to that. I gave birth last year and I was told by the consultant that the optimal week to brig the baby out is 38. Good luck!

Gloopyhoop · 11/10/2023 12:44

Good luck for whatever you choose 💐 I was induced with my last at 37+3 because of GD and stalled growth, he was all perfect and no issues whatsoever. I'd think as you are later than I was baby should be absolutely fine.
Currently 37+4 and the same thing is happening all over again just without the GD and my consultant is refusing to induce me. Also went in for reduced movements yesterday, they're still reduced today but all they tell me is the placenta is anterior & she's only 8th centile so I won't feel much. Im actually going to be begging for an induction when I go for yet another growth scan next week!

jadey1991 · 11/10/2023 12:54

Hi op, I went into hospital with same problem as u yesterday. Except I'm 31 weeks. Loads of fetal movement on monitor but I couldn't feel them all.. however they said I was contracting a little bit.. anyways they sent me on my way and said I have a growth scan booked in a few days so they will wait and see.

I have my c section booked for 38 weeks.

I would ask your doc why they want induce you but to be honest I wouldn't worry. Your not early you are full term