I had my midwife appointment a couple of days ago, and everything looks great so far! We heard baby boy’s heartbeat, which was amazing—I’m so excited to meet him. That said, I’m feeling a little anxious about the advice on monitoring his movements. My midwife explained that if there are any changes in his usual pattern or if movements decrease, I should call triage and go to the hospital. Baby is moving and starting to kick, but I’m struggling to figure out what his “normal” pattern is. I stress myself out when I think he hasn’t moved as much or at the same times as the day before. When I asked questions to the midwife, I found the advice a bit confusing:
- I mentioned that baby moved a lot the night before but doesn’t always. She said babies can have active periods and other times just small thumps—totally normal.
- Later, without really thinking about what I said before, I asked if too much movement should also be checked at the hospital. She said yes, call triage—but that felt different from what she said earlier about more movement being normal, maybe she just wanted to be safe with her advice.
- She also said if baby usually moves and hasn’t, lie on my side and see if he does. That makes sense and I know is common, but does that mean only go to hospital if he still hasn’t moved after that? Or straight away? Because she first mentioned to go to the hospital if his movements have decreased, does anyone know why we would lie on our side first?
I know I’m overthinking this. Baby is still moving every couple of hours—just some days less than others or with small thumps instead of kicks (maybe that’s his pattern?). I just don’t want to be at the hospital every other day if this is ‘normal’. I understand every baby and pregnancy is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all advice. I’m not upset with my midwife—they’ve been good! I just think maybe I’m not asking the right questions. As a first-time mum, I’m anxious and want to do everything I can to make sure he arrives healthy.
Did anyone get different advice from their midwives? Or have any tips for tracking movements? (I also have an anterior placenta which I’ve been told means movements might feel a bit less until he’s bigger, but I was told this from a friend who experienced the same placenta, the midwife has only said to go to hospital if the movements have decreased from his usual pattern)