Worried about movements

[Jodles]

Hi all,
I'm 37 weeks pregnant, and the baby's been very active over the past week - lots of kicking and squirming all day long. But yesterday, by late afternoon she had hardly moved at all all day - just the odd little squirm here and there.

I was a bit worried, so I called the midwife and they said to have a long iced drink and also put ice on the bump for an hour, and see what happened. This seemed to wake her up a bit, then she was very quiet again. However..... we went out for a curry later and the was back to her active self for a good hour, so I was reassured.

This morning however, I had practically no movements again so ended up going to see the midwife. She said that the heartbeat is fine, BP fine and urine all fine and sent me away saying she wasn't worried in the slightest. However, I've had another very quiet day. I've probably had my ten movements OK, but on a normal day I would get at least 10 before even getting out of bed in the morning!

The baby always seems to be most active in the evenings, so I was going to wait and see what she does tonight. But DH has asked if I want to go to the hospital and get monitored (it's an hour's drive away and would mean completely overruling the midwife).

I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this kind of change in the last few weeks of pregnancy? I'm not sure what to do, as the midwife doesn't seem at all concerned so perhaps I'm over-reacting? Also, the baby was moving around plenty during dinner last night, so it's not as if she hasn't had any periods of activity.

Can anyone help? (And there was me thinking the worrying days were over....)

Jo xxx

 

[mum2A&L]

as time goes on, LO runs out of space and does move less, but any worries over movement and i would be calling my mw.

if it was me, i would call and be asked to be monitored, if only to put my mind at ease.

 

[Sherlock]

I'm having less and less movement now as my LO is enganged. Sometimes quiet for hours with only the odd wiggle. But everything is fine as LO perks back up and and has a party in the evening or at random times during the day. Also I get my 10 movements easily still so don't worry. Plus my LO had 3 very quiet days (I went all day hardly noticing a squrim) until today when has really gone great guns wriggling lots.

It is normal for activity to decrease in the last few weeks I was told as baby has far less room and also as they engage.

If you are getting the 10 movements and heartbeat etc was fine then don't worry overly.

Of course if you feel you need to call the hospital and talk to them about coming in then do so. Be sure to tell them what your MW has done etc as they may say to you to continue monitoring etc and come in if things change. Or thay may advise you to come in this evening. I'm sure they won't think you are wasting their time by giving them a call and discussing it with them

 

[clarey]

I had this the week before I was due and felt so worried. I got refferred to the fetal health unit for monitoring, everything was fine but I felt so much better. Definately push to get checked out for your own sanity, you dont want to be all stressed when you do go into labour. Sure everything will be fine, they go a bit quiet late on to conserve their own energy, and cos of little room! Maybe you will be a bit early!

Good luck

 

[trixipaws]

aww, u do sound really worried, altho from what u said and what ur MW said im sure all is fine, but i can tell u wont be able to relax until u been monitored- so i'd say u might as well go to put ur mind at ease. as others hav said tho, theres less room for movement now, its normal. quite a few of us have felt no movement at all for 24 or 48 hours and ended up going to hospital- only to be made look silly by the naughty baby who suddenly started kicking about like no-one's business! lol i was one of them but it DOES put ur mind at ease loads, and its nice to hear ur LO too!
millie didnt move very much at all from bout 36 weeks onwards- then she had a massive flurry of movement about 48 hours before she was born- then 24 hours before the birth she went completely still!

 

[Sherlock]

How are things today Jodies? Did you go to the hospital for a check up in the end?

 

[Jodles]

Hi all,
Thanks for your really kind and helpful replies. I got quite a few more movements in the evening, and then yesterday they were almost back to normal. I've been given a kick sheet to fill in, so we'll see how today goes - seems quiet so far, but maybe that's just the pattern we are getting into now. Will let you know if anything changes...
Jo xxx

 

[Sherlock]

It may be that there is not pattern anymore, so don't worry overly if this is the case also. Mine often doesn't get lively at the times I had gotten used to. Last night I got woken at 3am for an hour while baby played. Definately not a 'normal' awake time usually

The kick chart I do mentally in my head now I find by checking off in my head as I feel either a single turn or a 20 minute wriggling session I get to 10 pretty easily still within about 6 hours. And then of course get a few more movement sessions after this so it adds up to well over 10 in a 12 hour period. Sometimes I don't notice any movement for hours at a time but accept this is normal. If I concentrate I can usually detect the slightest wiggle but as I'm usually busy or moving most of the time I don't feel those.

I'm sure your LO is fine in there, just growing and running out of room. They do move a lot less apparently in the final few weeks

 

[Jodles]

Thanks Sherlock
I guess I have to try and stop worrying!!
xx

 

[MJANEW1979]

I'm also 37 weeks and worry at times as my baby doesnt move like he used to. I just feel him squishing around. The last couple of days he has been quiet but I keep hoping it may be calm before the storm!!!

M xx