Baby movements at 34 weeks

[mersmam]

Just wondering if anyone has experienced different kinds of movements in different pregnancies?

This is my 4th pregnancy, and I'm feeling quite worried that this baby is not moving in the same way as the others were.I feel regular movements throughout the day, but they are more like little flutterings than big 'bangs', and I don't see whole arms and legs darting across my front when I lie in the bath as I have with the previous pregnancies! The baby does not seem to have a really active time of day as the others did (normally late evening, but as I say I do feel little movements all through the day.)

I'm feeling really paranoid as well because I saw the midwife yesterday and am only measuring a fundal height of 30cm (whereas I should be 34cm). DD2 always measured small and was born at 8lbs 3oz!! Before yesterday I was worried about the baby being too big as DC3 was 9lbs3.

However, the small measurement along with the different movement patterns have got me a bit worried.

Is there anyone with advice/ experience (and hopefully reassurance!) for me out there?
You'd think I'd be less worried and paranoid the 4th time around, but I'm really just as bad as I was when expecting DC1...

I don't have experience of 4 pregnancies.

My first was a real kicker.

My sisters was very still and quiet throughout whole pregnancy....you should see him now.
Perhaps you have a smaller quieter baby!
Sure it's all fine. Sorry not much help!

Thanks Wow - that is reassuring - any reassurance much appreciated!!!

can you ask them to book you in for a growth scan? if you are concerned about movements, you can also turn up at the day assessment unit and they will monitor the baby. It could be the baby's position or position of placenta maybe. i am 35 wks and was told 10 movements in 12 hours is fine. Are you getting that many?

Hi Mersam . I am also expecting no. 4 (27 weeks)and this pregnancy has been very different from the last. For me baby is lying tranverse which makes me measure small - in fact the midwife doesn't even bother recording fundal height as it's only relevant when baby head down. Is your midwife sure what position baby is in, as this can also effect movements/measurements?
Re: movements, do you know if your placenta is anterior or posterior? If anterior (as mine is) movements will be felt differently (possibly cushioned).
My hunch would be that your baby is simply in a different position to your others at this stage, and also that your uterus is less toned so movements not felt as accutely (hopefully no offense taken . My sister is a midwife and she said to me yesterday that after 3 pregnancies things do start to feel different, as baby has more space to move around etc and is less 'gripped' by pelvis etc.
I'm sure if your midwife had any concerns she would have referred you on for growth scan etc. I know what you mean about paranoia too - this is my mose anxious pregnancy of the 4!

Thanks BabyBaby and Diege.

I was a bit reluctant to ask the midwife about a growth scan yesterday as I went in all concerned about the baby being to big and then got all worried about being too small... I thought she's end up thinking I was completely paranoid and hysterical (which I probably am ) Yes, I am getting more than 10 movements per day, it's just that they're only very small movements and not great big kicks as I'm used to experiencing in the past...

The baby is definitely head down (the midwife said it was very well down).

My uterus is definitely less toned than it was - so that is quite comforting I suppose in terms of feeling the movements less

Have just checked the notes from my scan and YES my placenta in anterior!! that could explain a lot (although I'm not sure what the others were- posterior or anterior) so thanks Diege that does make me feel better!

Going to the day assessment unit would be a major event for me as 2 of the DCs are at home with chicken pox and DH would struggle to get time at home to look after them... but I'll see how I feel in a few days time.

My anterior placents and saggy uterus is providing me with some comfort for now

I think (HOPE) it is to do with the position of the baby/ placenta... just wanted to know if anyone had similar experience.

BTW - good luck with your preg Diege - I will try to send some positive vibes to your baby to make him/her turn downwards!!

I am also comforted by having a saggy uterus and anterior placenta (placenta was always posterior with other 3). My bump does look bigger, but is much lower down than with others (think because transverse), and getting a bit anxious that it may not turn (soggy uterus to blame again).

Thanks for the vibes. Plenty of time yet (only 27 wks) but then you have to have something to obsess over don't you

I had an anterior placenta with my last bubba and the movements were different - no great ripples and no visable arms and legs etc, I guess that with the placenta at the front it's quite a major barrier.

Diege Yes we definitely always need something to obsess over! I'm sure your little one will turn around several times over the next 13 weeks! Also, I know someone who recently had her 3rd baby 'turned' when she was 37 weeks (from being transverse to head down) and she said it was fine (birth went on to be normal afterwards) - the dr said her uterus was very 'pliable' due to it being a 3rd pregnancy (is that just another word for 'saggy'???) - so you would always have that option.

Thanks Hangingbelly - I'm definitely thinking the position of my placenta is making the difference, it makes a lot of sense. I'm so glad I started this thread cos I'm feeling a lot better I just wish I'd photocopied my previous maternity notes so I could check the positions of the previous placentas and compare!