Panicky baby movements

[charliebx]

Hi - I'm 37 weeks' pregnant and in the past couple of weeks, some of my baby's movements have been rapid and panicky, like a flurry of movement. Other times, he just wriggles about and seems fine. My pregnancy book says that panicky movements are cause for concern, but I asked my midwife and she said that although it was 'unusual' it was 'nothing to worry about' in a general sort of a way and changed the subject. I'm still concerned though - has anyone else experienced this? Do you know why he does it?

I had one night and day where the baby went completely bonkers and threw herself around for hours (at around 33 weeks). The midwives put me on a monitor for an hour and the babies heartbeat was very high. She did calm down eventually though and a consultant looked at the printout and wasn't concerned at all. They didn't really have any explanation why the baby would go so mad but I think if they do have calm phases as well there is not much to worry about.

Do you know if your baby is lying breech as my midwife mentioned that sometimes you get a bit of excessive movement when he/she's trying to turn head down. Sounds like you're doing the right thing by mentioning it to the midwife and if you get very concerned, you can always call your local triage.

I am 31 weeks and my baby has done this on about 4 occasions. I did find it really odd the movements were really rapid and as though the baby was having a fit inside me. It lasted about 1 minute and then the baby calmed aown and did normal movements. Each time it has been the same. I haven't seen the midwife since 25 weeks so haven't mentioned it to anyone except DH.

I hadn't realised it was something to worry about but will definaltey mention it when see midwife on wednesday.

Any change in movements is meant to be checked out.

Midwives sometimes get things wrong.

We nearly lost our son because one m/w was influenced b y my worries more than the facts.

my DS2 did this at th4e end of my pregnancy, after about the 5th time of me going up for monitoring the midwife and consultant decided he just had so little room it was the only kind of movement he could manage.

funnily enough once he was born he used to quiver all over as he woke up and still does it now at 5 yrs old.

i know it is worrying and i wouldn't feel bad about going up for monitoring if you are concerned. You have to trust your instincts with these things.

Thanks very much for all these comments - seeing as my local midwives work as a team, I might make an appointment with a different one next time (at least one benefit of not having the same midwife all the way through!).

PennyScotia, your comment was interesting as he is not breech but facing the wrong way, so maybe it's connected.

raindroprhyme, what do you mean by monitoring - can I just ask my midwife that I be checked out further?

i went up to the maternity unit and was monitored on the tracing thinyma jig for an hour. it happened alot in the evening so phoned the birthing suite for advice each time and they just invited me up.

ok - thanks raindroprhyme, might think about calling the midwives at the hospital next time. cheers.

If you are feeling concerned, I would make a fuss and insist it's checked out, especially if it happens again. Even just to set your mind at rest. Can you contact your hospital's delivery suite/maternity unit directly? Go with your instincts - that's the one source of information medical staff don't have access to.

hi - just wanted to update this - when my baby was born he made the same jerky movements which worried me even more, but they all stopped v soon after birth and he's now nearly 6 weeks, healthy and happy! cx

Mine will do a flurry of very jerky movements every day or so, in addition to usual squirms and kicks, and rest times. I hadn't thought to worry about it, but maybe I will mention it at the next appt too, thanks also.

Mine did this for about a week, non-stop with hardly any breaks even at night. I was so worried because it felt like he was in distress - the movements were really jerky and fast and strong. My midwife just said "oh he's just an active one, don't worry!" after a week he went really calm and quiet...
I still feel a little worried even though everything seems normal now.

mine seems to move all at once n my bump moves round quite fast almost like she is trying to kick out and move hands at same time but fast!! Intrested to know wot mw's say??? xxx

Congratulations charliebx! Good to hear all is well! Thanks for the update.

ande
xx