22wks and no movements? Tell me to calm down!

[blackcurrants]

Hello all,
My first baby, I'm 22+2 and while I thought I felt something kicking for a short while just before the 20 week scan, I haven't felt anything since.
I'm a bit overweight (UK 18) so I realise my internal organs might be cushioned by some fat, but should I have felt something move by now? Every now and then I have a small freakout where I'm convinced the little foetus isn't alive in there any more. And then I tell myself it's early days yet, and I still feel pg (exhausted, heartburny, and need to pee all the time).... so it's probably fine, right?

I think I've just had a long tiring day in the rain and I'm looking for someone to tell me to calm down and that things are fine. I'm going too put the kettle on... and I'm seeing my MW again in 2 weeks, so... yeah. Tell me to relax and that I'm being silly, please!

You're not being silly but you are more than likely worrying unnecessarily.

It's not uncommon to feel the first flutter/kick/rumble and think "Here we go" then feel nothing again for ages.

Try to stop worrying and enjoy your pregnancy. If you still feel anxious tomorrow then give your midwife a call. I'm sure she'll give you a quicker appointment if you let her know you're worried.

I had the same and spoke to my doctor as soon as I realised and was in a right mess. Cried all over her! She admitted me to day assessment where they did a full check over of me and the baby but this was nothing that a midwife couldn't have done (didn't scan me etc when babys healthy heart beat was found). Please do not try to stress yourself out but phone the midwife and explain how upset and worried you are they will probably want a little 'listen in' to the baby to reasure you.

Let us know how you get on x

Hi Blackcurrants,

How are you today?

do you know where the placenta is (would say on your scan report) - if its anterior you wouldn't be feeling much - I have an anterior placenta and didn't really feel much until 25 weeks and even then still had days of feeling nothing until around 30 weeks, and I am not overweight and this is DC3.

Calm down! I didn't feel anything until around 24 weeks. Apparently my placenta was at the front so it cushions the kicks. I know a couple of people the same. Mine now spends half his time drumming on my tummy so don't worry - you'll feel him/her soon enough!

aww thank you all, you've made me feel much better! MumNWLondon: yes, the placenta is low - that's probably doing some cushioning. And you are all lovely and reassuring. I'm not actually worried enough to call the midwife (or at least not today, when I've got to make my friend's hen party happen!) I'm just worried enough to have a quiet fret about it. But now I have decided that the foetus is kicking happily at the placenta, and that's fine with me because the small amount of kicking I felt was .. well, a bit like being kicked!
Thank you all. I actually do feel more chilled. Yesterday was just a tiring/teary day, but I slept for so long that I already feel more human and less pregna-panic-whale

I felt flutters at around 20 weeks, but didn't feel any actual movement until I was 23/24 weeks, try not to worry x

I'm skinny and didn't feel anything until 22 weeks - in the end it was a double expresso that got my little bundle of joy kicking and wriggling - might be worth a try?

Try not to worry. I am a size 8 and did not feel any movment until 22 - 23 weeks and even then it was very sporadic for a few weeks.

I would never tell a worried pregnant woman to calm down. You are worried about your baby and entitled to be. Any time you are worried you need to get in touch with your midwife - it is what they are there for.

You are all wonderfully kind. After a completely exhausting day yesterday (friend's hen party) I was tossing and turning in the wee small hours and felt a very decided fluttering quite low down. It was a lovely feeling, right up to the point where I thought "Okay then, I know you're there. Now can I get some sleep, please?" ... and the disco carried on in my belly!

Relief!

can I add my reassurance?

I am 28 wks, and still have very irregular, light movement (to the point that some days I don't feel anything). My placenta is at the front.

I spoke to the midwife about it yesterday; all is fine with the baby and with me. She told me I need to seriously relax about it, and that some women just simply never feel too much. That might be the same for you, but 22 weeks is still really early to expect to feel lots of regular, defined movement.

of course, any time you are worried, get checked, but my best advice is remain calm and relax!