Quieter Days Anterior Placenta 30+5

[Mamtobe2024]

Hi,

I'm 30+5 I have an anterior placenta, I know my babies rough pattern however due to my placenta being in the front it can slightly change from day to day.

Today I noticed baby didn't move for 4 hours or that I just couldn't feel him. I've been to MAU to get checked the trace on the monitor was perfect and his heart rate was okay. They said they think because he's laid in an awkward position on my left side tucked up they think he's moved further behind the placenta so that's why I'm not feeling him too well. I have felt him since coming home from MAU however what I wanted to ask was those who had an anterior placenta did your baby have quiet days and did you notice any change in movement in the 3rd trimester?

Hi,
I'm 37 weeks with an anterior placenta (that drives me insane) and I've definitely experienced this. I've been in for monitoring with reduced movements four times so far. Like you, at that stage my baby definitely had days where I felt much less than normal (still does occasionally but much less frequent) and it was always because it had moved into an awkward position behind the placenta.

It's definitely got a more set routine now but the movements have changed from kicks to more rolls, pushing out and smaller pokes.

Anterior placentas are honestly the biggest pain, mine has ruined a lot of my pregnancy joy because I spend so much time worrying about movements. I've had to resort to being content with making sure I get some good movements morning, afternoon and night and not obsesses over them in-between. Always go get checked if you're worried though, I've never been made feel bad for it even though my baby inevitably starts moving once hooked up to the monitor or in the triage waiting room 🙄

It's awful isn't it, I would love to have a posterior placenta as my anterior placenta has done nothing but cause me anxiety I have noticed the past week his movements are more rolling/squirming but I still do get the odd kicks etc. Like you I can't concentrate on my day until I've had like decent movement from him I feel like I can't start my day until I feel him properly, it's so draining monitoring movements all day. Today was just very out of the ordinary for him I couldn't feel a thing for over 4 hours I was beside myself, so rang MAU. They said his trace was beautiful and how it should be, and the midwife said he's on my left side so he will be tucked behind the placenta which just makes me more anxious.

I like being able to feel him as it's my way of knowing he's okay, I've been very anxious this pregnancy due to a previous miscarriage but then when I found out about my anterior placenta that made me so much worse. Having an anterior placenta is not for the weak by no means 😫 it's so strange because on scans he's such an active baby and even on the ctg machine she could see the movements so she knew he was moving and could see it on the graph however I couldn't feel a thing. She was lovely though and they made me feel like I wasn't being stupid which is nice x

It's so tough, I honestly can't wait for the baby to be here! A newborn has to be easier than this constant anxiety 😩
Have you asked about being referred to your hospital's mental health team? I've met with one of the mental health midwives a few times and have gotten a couple of coping strategies to stop my anxiety spiralling quite so much.

I had an anterior placenta and went to hospital quite a few times for reduced movements. The midwives were all so lovely and said please come back even if it's the same day we'd rather be safe than sorry. I never felt bad about going. Baby was fine, born 39+5 7lb8oz.

I've got posterior placenta and I've never had a pattern of movement (32 weeks), so it's not all about placenta position! If the worrying is affecting your life I'd speak to midwife about some support for your mental health.

30+4 today and struggling with my lovely anterior placenta as well OP, so I feel for you 😣 I have had a few episodes of reduced movements, even this morning I was about to go to triage. Anxiety is definitely present for me as well; I know we are not meant to be comparing ourselves to other women, but it would be really nice to feel baby move all the time and be reassured as much as possible that they are okay. I was in tears today, so fed up of worrying and wondering if he is okay. I am going through therapy for anxiety at the moment, as I know worrying is only making things worse for both of us. Try to relax as much as possible (definitely easier said than done), and if your gut feeling is telling you that something is really not okay always go to be checked. Wishing you a blissful rest of the pregnancy, hang in there, we are almost at the end now 💗🌹

I had a fundal placenta with my first pregnancy, and have an anterior placenta this time (29 weeks). What I would say is even with a fundal placenta, there were quieter days. Also, I found in previous pregnancy as baby got bigger, the type of movement changed - there isn't the space for proper punches/kicks, and it was more like full body-rolls. I've never been concerned enough to go in for reduced movement monitoring. I found having something cold to drink / eating something / lying on side and being quiet was enough to 'check in' and feel reassured everything was ok.

Found an anterior placenta tough at first as took longer to feel movements, but now I don't think its that much different from my experience of having a fundal placenta (though I can't see my stomach moving as often / as much this time).