Change in fetal activity right before labor starts?

see8e

Hi all--

I'm 37weeks and just wondering if I should expect Baby to have a last spurt of energy or to have his/her movements slow down/taper off once we're close to the big show starting! Is there usually a change in fetal activity right before labor starts? TIA!

dianeg1017

I'm 38 weeks and my LO is rolling and flipping like crazy! Doc said she is getting in position.

drpayne

I've never noticed that.

PrimRoseMama

You could have four more weeks...

I noticed absolutely no change.

duckie23

I'm 36 weeks, and my MW said I shouldn't notice a difference in the frequency of the movements, but that they might feel different--more shifting and rolling than kicks or other big movements.

jennypolkadots

This is my first so I don't know from personal experience, but around 27 weeks I was having lots and lots of kicking (sometimes pretty painful/jarring) and asked my midwife if it gets better. She said that as the baby runs out of room the movements will slow down and be much more tolerable. So far for me this is very true and now most of what I feel is slow movements and rolling sensations. 

Also the baby's sleep/wake cycles get more fine tuned during the last few weeks so you should see a pattern of wakefulness for an hour or so then sleep for 2-3 hours or so. Also movements feel different depending on how you're laying. When my LO gets really active I like to get on all fours and let my tummy relax so they have plenty of room and can get in the best position. 

jennypolkadots

Just realized your question was slightly different. I think as the baby gets bigger the movements are more controlled (they don't have much space!) and their sleep cycles get a little longer... but this is not something you are going to notice and be able to use to pinpoint when labor is near. Like another poster said, you have up to 5 more weeks left so there is no hard and fast rule for when it could happen. 

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see8e

Ok, thanks to all for the feedback--it's very helpful!

071115

This is my 3rd and I never noticed less movement

Jessica16393

For my first I noticed she wasn't moving for almost the whole morning so at my appt that afternoon they said I was actually in labor. I didn't know I was having contractions because I thought they were supposed to make me double over in pain or something like you see in the movies!