Reduced movement and baby’s weight gain slowed down 36 weeks.

[LBNM19]

I’m 36 weeks pregnant and I’ve been experiencing reduced movements for a couple weeks and been in and had a ctg each time they’ve been normal’ I had a growth scan at 36+2 and baby has hardly gained any weight in 2 weeks. At 34 weeks he was 5lb 3oz and today only 5lbs 6oz.

I am currently sat waiting for the midwife as I feel really anxious but I just wanted to know if anyone has any experienced similar? I’m so worried now. I do suffer with anxiety my Son died age 7 in 2019 and sometimes I feel
like I can over react because of this however I just want my baby to be ok and my intuition is telling me something is off.

Firstly I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your son.

Heading to the midwife is the best idea. There is a campaign (called Always Ask - google Always Ask Tommy's) that encourages you that if something doesn't feel right or you don't feel listened to then to seek another opinion. It mentions trusting your instincts, it's ok to get a second opinion.

Good luck with today.

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss your son. This must have been devastating. Of course this will inevitably make you super sensitive and hyper aware of everything surrounding your baby's health.

However, I can't stress enough that tests are just tests, you as mum know your baby better than anyone else, and if you feel intuitively that something isn't right, you should absolutely push for 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions.. You're almost full term so if they decided you should deliver before your due date it wouldn't be a huge deal (medically speaking regarding risks).

@maria2bela1 thank you for your reply.

I waited and spoke to the Doctor who also spoke to consultant and they want to keep the baby in until the 17th of May unless I get reduced movements again after 37 weeks. I’m going to see how things go. I’ve got a midwife appointment tomorrow so going to discuss my worries with her too. I do think I’m going to have a very anxious wait until he arrives now. 😭

Thank you @Gilo2024 the doctor understood why I was worried but she doesn’t feel it’s beneficial to deliver him yet.

Hi
ss your baby gets bigger they do say movement might seem to slow down a bit or feel a bit different as baby doesn’t have as much space to move around. You are absolutely doing the right thing by getting it checked. I convinced myself on holiday something was wrong and nearly didn’t get on the plane home, I went straight to the hospital when we landed and everything was fine but it is a horrible, anxious time! X

@FTMaz it’s a really horrible feeling. I decided to use the count the kicks app from today to monitor any movement and that way I can be sure if they really are reduced. He was actually very active during the night and this morning so that’s comforting for me.

They will NOT slow down - that is very dangerous and outdated. They might change type (pushes and rolls rather than kicks), but the NUMBER of them should not increase or decrease.

Good luck OP - I was induced at 39 weeks due to IUGR and a spate of reduced movements - she was born 5lb and my placenta was failing, so it was the right decision.

@TallulahBetty thanks for the info. I’m making sure I keep track of all his movements now. Yes sounds like it was. I’m expecting him to be fairly small now and just hope everything is okay until he can be delivered. I have two weeks today until planned section.

Yes the do…they feel less fast and jerky because baby is bigger hence they are slower….

Babies absolutly do not run out of room. That's not an opinion it's fact and you were wrong

https://www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk/our-services/womens-services/maternity-services/your-pregnancy-journey/fetal-movements

I'm so, so sorry about your son OP.

Just keep heading into the maternity unit for monitoring every time you're worried. That's what they tell you to do.
Intuition is important but I did feel weird and off in late pregnancy both times and you will be understandably anxious.
What I mean is - try not to worry too much but keep talking to them and getting checked if you feel you need it, because then they will have the full picture.

@Engaea thank you. I find it really hard to know if I’m over reacting or if I feel something is off because of past experiences.

I also had a baby born at 28 weeks, he is 7 now, he stopped moving and I went in and he was delivered the same day. My waters went about a week before and we both ended up with an infection.

Anyway I’m just going to go with how I feel. I’ve been using the count the kicks app today and he has moved over 70 times 😂 so I’m happy with that, I’m in bed now and he is having a wriggle around.

Hello! Firstly so sorry about the loss of your son!

I had my daughter in 2023 and i had both reduced movement and her growth had slowed considerably towards the end of the pregnancy. I had a lot of reduced movements so towards the end spent a lot of time in maternity assessment but they were so kind and helpful.

I was induced at 38+4 for both the growth and reduced movements and baby girl was born a very tiny 5lbs but healthy and perfect, she’s fantastic and has grown so much but she was a tiny little dot!

I’m glad movement has picked up, it’s such a worry when you have things going on isn’t it! Go in as often as you need to do 🙂 good luck!! X