Still no movements, my bump has stopped growing, I don't even know what anyone could do to make me relax about it all...

[NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain]

I phoned the MW this morning (a big step for me), explained that I was worried about not feeling any movements, said how I haven't grown for the last 4/5 weeks, and told her how it is all so so so different from my other pregnancies, and she said "we don't really monitor baby movements or growth until around 26 weeks, because, well there is nothing we can do before then, except deliver the baby if there was something wrong"

But, I can go for a AN appointment next week to listen to the HB. I have a doppler (for all my sins....) I know the HB is OK (though has been faster than usual the last few times I've done it) I also know that whilst hearing the HB is a good sign, it doesn't mean all is well.

I am just going round in circles, I go for a few days where I think everything is fine, and try not to even think about it all, and then I have a day like today where it is just staring me in the face all the time. And like I said, I don't even know what anyone could do to make it better, just need to rant I suppose!

I refuse to believe there is nothing they can do for you before 26 weeks when you are so worried I think i would just go down there and even if they dont monitor you they can have a good feel of baby, listen to baby's heart and check you over. Mention the intermitten pain as well and if all else fails ask if your scan can be brought forward or you can see a consultant. Unfortunately i think sometimes you either have to be very lucky or you have to insist on having decent treatment.

I know what you are saying about having your other little ones but even if you cant make it up there today try and make arrangements to get there tomorrow

NJ I felt almost nothing from my baby (anterior placenta) so it can make a massive difference. Seriously almost nothing. MW used to tell me to do a kick count and I would not be able to count anything at all. I certainly didn't feel anything at all till 22 weeks whereas I had with a previous pg (felt something at 15 weeks).

However, I do think that you should be able to get an emergency scan or monitoring simply to put your mind at rest. I had one when I fell over in the street and went straight to the hospital. They wired me up and checked everything out so I'm not sure why they are being so negative with you.

I do hope your not answering cos your at the hospital [stern face]

Why not just turn up at the L&D ward. When I had problems a few weeks ago they told me that I am welcome to go there any time I have a concern.

If it is any comfort, I felt my sons movements at 16 weeks, (no-one believed me as I was a first time mum). I didn't feel this baby at all until 22 weeks and even now at 30 weeks I don't always feel her move. Even when the monitor was picking up definate movements, I couldn't feel a thing. It's something to do with the placement of the placenta this time round.

Good luck and stand up to them. You have a right to know that your baby is ok.

Why does someone need to watch your DCs? Go to hosp if you are worried, they WILL monitor you, they have to. It took you 2 weeks to phone MW? WHY??

Ring delivery suite, tell them you have had odd pains and that you previously felt movement but now feel none. DON'T LET THEM FOB YOU OFF fgs woman this is your baby stand up for yourself

If you can't get seen because of just general worries then lie. say you've fallen over or something and are really concerned that all might not be ok. They're obliged to check everything's ok.

Also though try to think of things like this:

Iirc you got really big really quickly with ds2 so it could just be that you were above average size last time and this time you are having a "normal" bump .

There have been cases of people who have had numerous children getting pregnant and giving birth without even knowing they were pregnant so presumably those pregnancies must have been totally different too, and maybe no movement?

When you had your first scan was baby moving then? because if so it's unlikely that it would have stopped moving, especially as you can detect a heartbeat, it's most likely that the placenta is in a different place.

good luck xx

Sorry was on phone and changing DS2.

If I turned up to the hospital and told them the story, if the same MW I spoke to happened to be there, and recognised what I was saying, she'd know I have taken no notice of her and still presented there.

If she wasn't worried enough to do anything from my phone call, why would they do anything?

Ajm, I felt DS1 at 12 weeks, (I actually didn't know then that that was early - how different life i once you've found MN!) DS2 I felt the very first flutters from around 8 weeks, didn't believe for one second it coul dhave been him (I didn't think it was physically possible so early) it was only when I went for the dating scan and could see him moving and feel it that I was convinced.

When I told the MW that this morning she said "no, it isn't possible to feel a baby at 8 weeks, it must have been wind, which I know sounds really funny but that's what it was" so obviously I am lying She actually spent more time telling me it couldn't have possibly been him moving at 8 weeks, than she did saying anything about why I had rang today. And maybe I missed the boat on this but telling me that there is nothing they will do before 26 weeks isn't exactly reassuring.

NJ, stop caring what this woman thinks about whether you are or are not ignoring her.

Just go and get the reassurance. Lie if you feel you must (say you fell or even that you started bleeding).

oh, but btw, honestly what you're experiencing is very normal.

I'm not telling you to lie because I'm worried for you. I too felt movements very early but also with my last pg very, very late.

Blue, I am not going to lie to them about movements and then no movements, I don't like going when I am worried about something truthful, let alone a lie. And it took me two weeks because when I had my AN appointment with my MW I was fobbed off then with crap excuses, didn't seem any point in talking to another MW who was going to do the same thing without there being an amount of time building up.

Wannabe, same thing really, I really don't want to lie to them. If I told them I'd fallen, and then next week actually did fall, they'll not take the real fall seriously thinking I was just some neurotic pregnant person who can't stand up straight.

Baby was moving at first scan, but (I know I keep harping on about my sister but....) my sister has had two pregnancies where everything seemed fine, she was even feeling movements, HB was fine, nothing to worry about, until she got to the 20 week scan and things bad, very bad, so I know that the AN checks can go absolutely noramally and things still aren't right.

NJ, step away from the doppler and call again. had similar experience with MW when 20 weeks with DD. had been feeling movements for 7 weks and tehn nothing for 36 hours. midwife said 'nothing we can do as your baby is not even viable at this point', all i wanted was for someone to reassure me and check out the baby and me.

i complained to my community midwife and she gave me her mobile number and said to call her only if i was worried.

in reality, things are more than likely fine, but based on all the issues and your previous MC., you need this reassurance.

can your GP see you ? at least he/she can refer you to MW if necessary

you won;t rest until you have seen someone, and that level of stress is unfair.

is your placenta anterior? and how do yo know your bump has not grown?

Blardy hell, excuse typing, the boys are running around like loons - summer holidays, doncha just love 'em?

If I were you I would call again. If you have been feeling movements prior to this and they've stopped you have all reason to be worried.

You are still at that stage where you should be feeling movements, but totally normal if you're not.

If I were you I'd show up at the hospital and demand a scan. If you see the same midwife just explain to her that she wasn't intelligent enough to understand how worried you are.

Take the other children with you. I've noticed that service tends to be quicker if I bring hungry, tired children with me.

Lulu, I'm not basing any of this on the doppler, I said when I got it, it was only for reassurance that the HB was there, and it isn't stressing me out at all.

I did the same with DS2, at 16 weeks had been having regular good movements and then they stopped so I was monitored all was well, but that was only checking his HB.

I don't know about the placenta, nothing was said about it at the first scan and nothing in my notes about it.

Size wise, I just know I haven't got any bigger, and like I said even DH has noticed it so it isn't just something in my head.

Nat - nothing constructive to add but just wanted to say I am thinking of you.

Wish you had more helpful MW.

MKG, haven't felt any movements yet, none at all.

When I was bleeding heavily at 7 weeks (after having had a MC in January), even then they wouldn't have scanned me if I hadn't have told them I wasn't leaving till they did, and it still then took them all day. If they won't scan for a threatened MC, they won't scan me when in medical terms, there is nothing wrong. It is only wrong to me because it is just so different to my last pregnancies, but them telling me that doesn't stop me worrying.

sorry, i thought you were having movement which stopped.

ok, you can call again and state very clearly you are scared and anxious and need reassurance

or go to your GP

if this is the level of care you can expect, can you look into changing hospitals?

It isn't as easy as 'just take them with you'. My 6 year old would pick up on everything that was said/done, he would be worried sick, I couldn't put him through all of that, especially if they did just turn me away.

SOrry to hijack, nj go onto wagon thread pls xx

sorry didnt read OP, nj so sorry your going through this crap, im sure it will be ok, have you tried sugary drinks? anyone got a featol doppler close by? xx

NJ - the fact that you can hear the heartbeat is a very good sign (you know what I think about dopplers at home).

Perhaps a way to look at this is that your previous pregnancy experiences were unusual but this one is normal. Comparison is not helpful at all.

Looking at this individually - it is extremely common not to feel movenment at this stage. Also it is common not to look bigger in pregnancy because the abdominal muscles are more lax. That changes in later pregnancy when lax muscles make you look bigger!

If you had not been hearing the heartbeat then I would have advised you get checked over.

Because you can hear the heartbeat then I would urge you to try to stop concentrating on feeling movement at the moment and wait for your scan. You will most likely feel movement by then. I have seen women who never feel movement due to baby's position and their own shape.

I understand how concerning this is for you though, and if you feel you cannot wait then phone the midwife and request an earlier scan. I agree with you about not lying to get seen - that will only increase your anxiety.

Lulu, I'll cry if I have to talk to them again, and I am not a good cryer, I can't talk when I cry, bit useless if I can't talk on the phone!

GP is useless, he'd probably give a prescription for anti-biotics and send me away - and I am being serious!

Changing hospitals, though my hospital has shown they aren't good in earlier pregnancy, they were absolutely fantastic with DS2 in the later stages, and besides all of that the next nearest hospital is about 40 minutes away, and looking at DS2's labour I will be lucky to make it on time to my hospital I'm with now, let alone one even further.

i feel for you NJ, i think mears speaks wise words. but i do remember that horrible fear that something is wrong and needing to have reassurance