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Original poster

Reduced baby movements at almost 38 weeks, could it be just that she has no room left??

113 replies

insertwittynicknameHERE · 02/07/2009 18:07

I will be 38 weeks pg tomorrow, she has been moving all day but not as much as usual. I have had waaaaay more than the 10 movements that you are supposed to count.

I haven't felt her move in a couple of hours. I have had a bath as that usually gets her moving/kicking/punching. I have had a cold drink and laid down on my left hand side, I have eaten ice cream but nothing is getting her going.

Should I be at all worried and could it just be that there is no room left for her to move??

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Kaylo · 04/07/2009 22:39

FabBakerGirlIsBack sorry it took so long to reply - was grabbing some supper.

I live near Pontefract - how about you? Hmmmm, I'm intrigued!!

SheWillBeLoved · 04/07/2009 23:21

How often is reduced movements a sign that labour isn't far off?

I don't know whether it's because I've been busy for the past few days (moving house) and haven't noticed them, but today I've been whining to DP about lack of kicks and constantly prodding my belly. She had a squirm about this morning but not much since. Just had a listen in on her with my doppler - first time I've needed to use it since feeling movements! She sounds okay, just not wriggling about as usual.

38 weeks today by the way.

Hangingbellyofbabylon · 04/07/2009 23:31

please go to get monitored - I nearly lost my baby this way. I also listened to the doppler and thought it was re-assuring but you need a proper CTG assessment. I'm sure your babe is fine but please do make that phone call to the midwife.

SheWillBeLoved · 04/07/2009 23:45

Bollocks what was wrong with your baby Hanging?

nicm · 04/07/2009 23:54

SheWillBeLoved i had pains in the morning and went to bed with 2 paracetamol and when i got up in the afternoon the pains had gone but ds wasn't moving. i tried the bath, cold drinks, sugary drinks and chocolate and nothing! panicked and made dp bring me to the hospital. while we were waiting i was pacing the corridors. the midwives said before they started the scan that i was in labour and would be back later that night. and i made it to the shop, home and was back in 5 hours later!!

if you are worried though call them and go for a scan they are really nice and don't mind. they told me that it was better going than worrying. x

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 08:18

Kaylo - I don't know you either.

baby stopping moving or slowing down movements should always be checked.

Stop all this thinking that they have less room to move or they are getting ready to come.

If I had believed that my first child would have died at 38 weeks.

Go and get proper monitoring however many times you need.

With my second I was at the hospital a lot for monitoring when I was worried and then I was scanned weekly for the last 6-8 weeks or so.

It isn't worth a risk if it is a problem and if all is well, what have you lost?

Original poster
insertwittynicknameHERE · 05/07/2009 08:24

I love the fact that this has turned to a debate on ice pops . I have always called them ice pops, ice lollies are on sticks, I've never heard them called anything else.

She is still moving but only just IYSWIM, I have had 10 movements but usually by this time I have had loads more. She hasn't moved much since last night TBH so I am keeping an eye on things and may ring the MW again if she doesn't start moving more.
I think I only notice it so much because she is such a mover and squirmer normally.

OP posts:
Hangingbellyofbabylon · 05/07/2009 08:33

shewilbeloved - they don't know what the problem was but dd was in real trouble, in meconium even though I was not in labour and was not moving as she was struggling to keep going really. I'm sure it will different in your case and maybe you are now in labour but it is always worth checking. I've been told that they would always rather see a mum with no problems than to miss one who does have problems.

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 08:42

Only on MN, insert

Please go back for monitoring today.

I know I am being a pain but it all happened so quick with DS1 and we were lucky he hung on as the midwife we saw at 37+6 didn't do the checks she should have.

Original poster
insertwittynicknameHERE · 05/07/2009 08:51

That is why I love MN FAB

DH is having a lie in but I may get him out of bed now and get DD her breakfast so I can pop up to the MW myself.

She hasn't moved since I got out of bed a couple of hours ago now. usually my morning coffee gets her going but not this morning.]

I am hoping things are getting ready for labour (wishful thinking again lol)

I am seeing my consultant tomorrow though so feel a bit of a fraud ringing today IYSWIM, but then again TBH they probably have a room with my name on it the amount of times I have been there with this pg

OP posts:
FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 09:16

Please just go.

This is your baby.

If all is well, great.

if it isn't, you are in the best place.

This is your baby - no one elses, don't bother about what the midwives might think.

ladylush · 05/07/2009 10:48

I agree with FAB. Maybe you could get a management plan to reassure you - e.g. daily CTGs until baby is born. Tell them you have noticed a general reduction in movements and that baby was previously very active.

Re ice pops debate..........in the South the ones in plastic are called ice poles. But who cares anyway........they all turn to ice before you finish them Ice lollies on the other hand are yummy - especially the fruit juice ones

Hangingbellyofbabylon · 05/07/2009 11:01

long plastic ones are icepops here in Bournemouth I'm afraid .

And if you haven't gone already - go get monitored! NOW.

Original poster
insertwittynicknameHERE · 05/07/2009 11:08

Off to have a bath just to see if I can get her moving again, I have felt a couple of squirmy type movements but nothing else, so at least she is actually moving.

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Original poster
insertwittynicknameHERE · 05/07/2009 11:49

Didn't get as far as the bath lol. Got a stabbing pain on the right hand side of my abdomen now.

OP posts:
Hangingbellyofbabylon · 05/07/2009 12:02

I hope you're off to be checked out - it could well be the start of labour but it's best to go and see your bubba is ok. I'll be looking out for news later.

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 12:07

insert...????

Original poster
insertwittynicknameHERE · 05/07/2009 12:16

Just rang the ward and spoke to the MW, she said to wait until after 3pm (not sure why tbh) and if it is still the same to call back then.

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FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 12:21

Please don't wait.

Just go up now.

I expect she will get stroppy but just say it isn't a one off or the first time and you want the baby checked.

Original poster
insertwittynicknameHERE · 05/07/2009 12:24

Mum is in hospital anyway and I am taking DD to visit her this afternoon. Dad is picking us up at about 1.30pm so I will probably pop over the the MAT home then.

I am going to speak to my consultant about it tomorrow as well cos this isn't normal for me and the lo. Something needs to be done doesn't it.

OP posts:
ladylush · 05/07/2009 12:31

Hanging - oh well in Bournemouth I'm not surprised

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 12:32

Yes

ladylush · 05/07/2009 12:32

Insert - yes, just go along as soon as you can and ask for a plan. You need to follow your instincts here.

Original poster
insertwittynicknameHERE · 05/07/2009 12:35

I like the idea of a plan TBH, they would just have to look at the previous CTG's to see how many movements I used to get. They once had to keep me on the monitor for nearly 2 hours as she wouldn't stay still and they couldn't get a true trace. Now I am lucky to get one or two movements when I have a CTG done.

OP posts:
FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 12:37

Ask them if they are 100% sure that the baby is okay and can you have that in writing?

That should soon have them getting the CTG out.

I am OTT as we nearly lost our DS1 because a midwife felt she knew best.