Decreased baby movement

marajay6

I first started feeling the baby about 4 weeks ago.  The last couple weeks, the movement has been very consistent (multiple times a day) and getting much stronger.  Beginning yesterday there has been a noticeable decrease in movement.  It is not completely gone, but much less frequent and very weak.  And I haven't felt movement this morning.  But I have had a few short but moderately strong cramps.

My rational mind tells me that this is nothing to worry about.  Maybe baby has moved into a different position and I just can't feel him as well.  A quick Google search supported this theory. 

But my mind isn't completely rational and I still am worried a bit.

I think I will drink some Pepsi and see if that gets him stirring around. If I still can't stop worrying, I will call the doctor this afternoon.

Anyone else experiencing this? Any comments that can put my mind at ease?

emoxymoose

I went a couple of weeks without feeling baby, then all of a sudden there he was again. It's normal to worry, I just have to think its out of my hands and that I shouldn't worry until 28 weeks. Hope the Pepsi works for you!

uncharted01

My doctor told me it was still a little too early to be worried about inconsistent movement. Not that it makes it any easier to worry less! FX everything is okay - let us know how it goes after you drink some Pepsi.

cindyNmark2010

Some days are just different than others.  I've been feeling him around 11am and 9pm pretty consistently but sometimes at random times he's using my bladder as a trampoline.  Some days it'll just be a random jab then not much else the rest of the day (I call it lightning ute).  If you're worried I'd agree with calling your doc but what's going on sounds pretty normal.

missnacholover

*hugs*  I'm sure he's just moved positions and is chilling in a different part of your ute!

MrsG1019

No experience with this but I'm sorry it has you worried. I would definitely try some cold juice or soda, then lay flat on your back with both palms on your belly. You'll feel even the faintest movements that way. Do you have a doppler by chance?

TeeJ526

I noticed a decrease in movement around 23 weeks and freaked out a little as well. All of my usual triggers for movement such as cold water, laying on my right side, which would normally make her hiccup, and and eating, weren't working. When I went for my 24 week appointment, she was doing just fine. As a matter of fact, she was sleeping but still had a very strong heartbeat and even kicked me while tossing and turning. My OB says that it's still a little too early to rely on movement and should start counting/tracking it around 28 weeks! I'm sorry that it's making you nervous!

rahkitt

I noticed decreased movement around 24 weeks and felt worried too.  So I sat down and had a chai and a few minutes later felt lots.  I think partly it was that I'd been up and doing more lately, and partly the baby was changing its active times of day.  

LongIslandMama1114

I was feeling the same exact way this morning. I'm 23w2d. I was driving to work thinking I don't even FEEL pregnant anymore. I have my 24 week appt on Monday and I have a doppler at home. If I don't feel him today, I'll be sure to use my doppler and then I'll get to see him Monday. Let us know how the Pepsi works out!

marajay6

Right after I posted this, he started moving.  That little brat!  The movements feel different, so I think he changed position.  But I feel better now that I can feel him moving around in there.

uncharted01

sj+cm131 said:

Right after I posted this, he started moving.  That little brat!  The movements feel different, so I think he changed position.  But I feel better now that I can feel him moving around in there.

He's already playing jokes on you! You're in trouble
Glad everything worked out!

AnnieRoo13

I'm glad to read this today. I didn't feel LO move much yesterday or last night when I lay flat on my back. I had a few sharp pains on Tuesday that could have been gas or muscle, but with the decreased movement they made me nervous. Today I have dull cramps and still very little movement- not like usual that's for sure.

I'm hoping it's nothing and I'm just having FTM paranoia!

MrsG1019

sj+cm131 said:

Right after I posted this, he started moving.  That little brat!  The movements feel different, so I think he changed position.  But I feel better now that I can feel him moving around in there.

Glad to hear! Also keep in mind that as these babies get bigger punches and kicks will turn more into rolls so the movements will feel different than what you may have been used to cuz they'll run out of that extra room.

Carebella

I've had to adjust to less, but bigger, movement as baby grows, has less room to move, and changes positions. I went from feeling movements every 30 minutes to an hour and now it feels like I can go 3-4 hours without anything. Chatted with my MW about it and as expected, perfectly normal, but as a FTM, perfectly stressful! At least the movements now are fun when I catch them as I tend to see my bump move

So glad your LO cooperated and said hi!

Eta: 25 weeks tomorrow.

MollMoll4

At my last appointment my doctor said they don't expect you to feel consistent movement until 28 weeks! Try not to worry too much... But I know that is easier said than done.

marajay6

chmwilliams said:

Also, I have a recommendation. I have an anterior placenta, so feeling baby girl move isn't always easy. But I have found that flashlights make her kick. so feel free to torment you kiddo for a few and play!

I tried the flashlight thing once a couple weeks ago and nothing happened.  I will try again when I get home.

runningmama14

chmwilliams said:

Also, I have a recommendation. I have an anterior placenta, so feeling baby girl move isn't always easy. But I have found that flashlights make her kick. so feel free to torment you kiddo for a few and play!

DH was so funny when I tried that the other night.  He was like, "stop flashing a light in my kid's face!" then he would grab it and flash it in mine. LOL  I think he was actually worried I was tormenting the LO.

brooklyngirl18

runningmama14 said:

chmwilliams said:

Also, I have a recommendation. I have an anterior placenta, so feeling baby girl move isn't always easy. But I have found that flashlights make her kick. so feel free to torment you kiddo for a few and play!

DH was so funny when I tried that the other night.  He was like, "stop flashing a light in my kid's face!" then he would grab it and flash it in mine. LOL  I think he was actually worried I was tormenting the LO.

LOL sounds like something my DH would say also. the baby always stops kicking as soon i tell DH to feel but i don't think he'd appreciate me proding the baby to come out and play.

jj0313

Sounds like he was just having a laid back day. Mine was like that Sunday. She was bouncing around like a maniac yesterday though!

My midwife resource book says don't worry about decreased movement until after 25 weeks. Then if you do feel like it's an issue, go into a quiet place and try and count 5 in an hour.

carcrashheart

Still too early for consistent movement. I was told that as long as I felt DS once a day in some way, until later on, that that was all they wanted. This baby went from active to pretty much silent for a few days. I finally pulled the Doppler out to check and he was fine. They are getting bigger but so is your belly, so there will be times that they have more room to move around and tuck and hide before they get too big again.

kstirton

I felt this way a couple days ago. there was a decrease in movement after feeling her pretty actively. Yesterday was a little better, today - we are getting kind of back to normal. When I called the nurse she suggested I drink some juice or eat a snack and lay down for 30 min to an hr and see if that got her up and moving but even then, probably nothing to be too concerned about. Don't be surprised if movement comes back smaller at first, that's how it was for me. I think she just had a really good bout of sleepiness/laziness Really we shouldn't worry about it until we are further along - 28 weeks or so! Keep in mind that some people don't even feel their LO's until 23 weeks.

lizzielu82

missnacholover said:

*hugs*  I'm sure he's just moved positions and is chilling in a different part of your ute!

This is exactly what my OB said when I asked at my appointment yesterday. As more room is opening up, baby is moving to new places that may be harder to feel. 

Glad you are feeling movement now and sounds like your baby is just a little ute explorer at the moment

lizgrace03

Yeah, I think you just can't worry too much about it until 28 weeks.  I'm almost 26 weeks and I have lots of days where I feel him less.  One day last week I didn't feel him at all or the following morning.  I called the doctor and they were like, feel free to come in to hear the heartbeat, but honestly it's nothing to worry about.  It's hard not to worry, but you have to just try to relax!  A thing that almost always works for me is to drink a slushie.  

Cici3913

When I first started feeling the baby move I was still in my regular scrub pants and it felt like she was moving all the time because they were getting tight. I finally bought some maternity scrubs and I can still feel her move but it's less frequently. I think I could feel her better before just because my pants were tighter.

MindyAndRyan

I've been feeling my little dude move consistently since 17 weeks, but he's had the same anxiety-inducing routine. He moves like crazy for a couple of days, then barely anything for a couple of days. I think he likes to party hard and then crash and burn.

We're mommas. We're going to worry.

LittleLadyAKS

My 23rd week was exactly what you're describing. I ended up going to my OB's office for a quick doppler scan for peace of mind. Turns out she was just positioned funny so she was punching inward where I could barely feel her. She's since gotten into a better position where she's back to her ninja moves. If you become really nervous about it, call your OB for peace of mind. Better to know things are ok versus worrying about if they're not.