Decreased fetal movement

naynay28

I feel baby girl moving constantly. Yesterday it almost completely stopped. Only felt a few all day. Today there's more but not near where it used to be. Any thoughts? Could she just be having a couple lazy days?

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allachkat

For me it varies greatly daily. Some days it's a lot and some days it's not much movement. As long as you're feeling some movement every day, it should be fine.

shlittertoots

My OB has us do kick counts starting at 28 weeks (count 10 movements in one hour). It's totally normal to have some days of less movement but it's no less worrisome. If you're worried, call your OB and discuss it with them. This guy is super active but just last week I didn't feel him ALL DAY. I called the nurse and they assured me it was probably ok, but I could come in for a check just to be safe. I opted to go in since I didn't want to worry all weekend (it was last Friday). They checked him with the Doppler and my OB had them do an NST to be sure he was ok. He was totally fine and while I felt foolish for freaking out, they assured me that it's definitely something to pay attention to.

hetispagetti

If you hadn't felt her at all I would ring straight away, but if you have felt her a bit I would just try and relax for a good couple of hours drinking cold drinks, hopefully she will start moving around. I find the more I stress the less the baby moves so maybe just go get checked just to double check for your own mind! Don't start counting kicks till 28weeks!

jap618

mayaruthie said:

My OB has us do kick counts starting at 28 weeks (count 10 movements in one hour). It's totally normal to have some days of less movement but it's no less worrisome. If you're worried, call your OB and discuss it with them. This guy is super active but just last week I didn't feel him ALL DAY. I called the nurse and they assured me it was probably ok, but I could come in for a check just to be safe. I opted to go in since I didn't want to worry all weekend (it was last Friday). They checked him with the Doppler and my OB had them do an NST to be sure he was ok. He was totally fine and while I felt foolish for freaking out, they assured me that it's definitely something to pay attention to.

This! I had the same thing happen last week. I waited over the weekend and was on the verge of a nervous breakdown by the time I got to the doctors on Monday. Thankfully everything was fine and she has increased her movements again. It was terrifying. I started kick counts (at 28w) and even with decreased movement she was still doing 10 in a half hour. Drink something cold and sugary and lay on your side and count the movements. There are apps that will keep track of the data for you. Best of luck.

ruemorgan

I could barely feel my baby for three days, then yesterday he went crazy flipping each and every way. I would try waiting it out, and when it doubt call your dr!

ngolimento

You are carrying a human, and as a species we aren't terribly consistent. You go through days of sleeping more and moving less, and so does your kid. Not to mention when they flip to face your back, and you feel them a lot less until they whallop your colon.

As your kid runs out of room, they will move less energetically as well. I'm almost 27 weeks, and I can tell mine has less wind up space for her antics. She still does her smaller foot peddling and kicks, but I don't get the huge soccer coach's dream kicks anymore, thank god.

MalVough

My girl is bonkers one day; chill the next. I think she tires herself out and needs a day of recovery. If she's less active and I start to miss her, I'll eat some ice cream or a cold drink. That gets her butt moving every time!

cygnet15

I was in this exact same place at the very end of November. I felt like she kicked like crazy all through the Thanksgiving break, then come Monday I felt very little. I managed to get through the week without freaking out completely because I still felt a few movements at intervals through each day, but it seemed like much, much less than before. FWIW, I went from there back to now being in a place where her movement seems normal to me, and I always get a satisfactory kick count when I lie back and concentrate on it. For me, I'm sure it was a combination of my girl having a few chill days in a row, and me getting used to her new kinds of movements--less free-floating baby kicking around and more bigger baby shifting and nestling

MrsLaurenandDan

I wouldn't worry about movement in a different position. But I would worry about decreased movement. See if you can get baby to move (lay down, drink cold water, shine a flashlight where you think the head is.). If you still aren't getting much, I'd call. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

kellbell1982

I had the same problem, I called my ob and she had me come in for a non stress test. Everything was ok but she recommended I start kick counts. I guess directions vary but Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia says to lay on your side and count until you feel ten movements in two hours time, if you don't get ten in two hours, take a walk, drink something cold or have a small amount of somethin sugary and try again. If you still can't get ten in two hours go to L&D. At this point in our pregnancies we are taken much more seriously by L&D and it's always better safe than sorry. Good luck to you

naynay28

Thanks everyone. Makes me feel better I'm not alone. I'm still getting some movement so I think I'll be fine over the weekend at least.

ciaobellat

My doc has a sign on her door that says in the third trimester start counting your baby's active time. If the baby kicks, or moves less than 10 times in 2 hours to call her. My son seems to be very active but only when food is involved else he can be a bit 'lazy' in his movements.

drudolph11

I don't have much to offer they hasn't already been said except that i was told that the babies movements depend a great deal on what you are doing. When you are up and moving around and active that acts as like a rocking motion for the baby which will put them to sleep but when your sitting still they will be more active. So maybe you were just more active one day than the next. If your really worried try laying down or sitting down in a reclined position and drink really really cold water or eat a piece of sugary candy. That usually works for me. You can also try giving the baby a gentle nudge to try to get them to move.

Eta: you could also look into getting a fetal doppler. That really helps with peace of mind and you can check in on LO without having to wait to go to the doctor. I have the Sonoline B one, it works really well for me and it was 50$ on eBay. It was the best investment i made for this pregnancy. I would prob be a nervous wreck waiting on doctors apts if not for that thing lol

brita7869

I was in the same situation. For several weeks I would feel my little guy kicking like crazy and then all of a sudden it dropped drastically in movement. I might feel a flutter 2 times a day. I started to panic, called my ob/gyn, mother, MIL, friends, sister, you name it. I even posted on here! My ob said that it can happen and not to worry until really 28 weeks and even then sometimes the baby is turned around or maybe not kicking as hard as previously. Now, it feels like he is trying to punch/kick his way out of me! Took about 2 weeks, but things went back to normal.

kaydedid

Eta: you could also look into getting a fetal doppler. That really helps with peace of mind and you can check in on LO without having to wait to go to the doctor. I have the Sonoline B one, it works really well for me and it was 50$ on eBay. It was the best investment i made for this pregnancy. I would prob be a nervous wreck waiting on doctors apts if not for that thing lol

-----------quote fail

Seconding this - besides the heartbeat, you can hear movements too. I just did this today b/c I hadn't felt much for the last few days, and sure enough he was moving well -must have been facing inwards like PP said.

MrsLaurenandDan

Just an FYI, a home Doppler is NOT recommended in cases of decreased movement.

https://www.countthekicks.org.uk/mums/your-babys-movements/why-shouldnt-i-use-a-home-doppler/

"Home dopplers are becoming more and more common but many aren’t aware of the dangers of using them for reassurance. If you are worried about your baby’s movements it is important to be monitored by a CTG or a midwife who can interpret the baby’s heartbeat. Assuming the home doppler is being used properly and is not picking up the mothers heartbeat or the placenta, the presence of a heartbeat does not indicate the baby is well. Any interventions that could save a baby in distress would need to be done when the baby has a heartbeat, leaving it until there is no heartbeat is too late. Please do not let a home doppler delay you from seeking medical attention if you notice a change in your baby’s movements.

If you saw a person in the street showing symptoms of a stroke or fainting would you delay phoning an ambulance because they still had a heartbeat?

It is vital that medical intervention is sought when the baby still has a heartbeat in all incidences of reduced fetal movement. So if you have any concerns about your baby’s movements contact your midwife, do not rely on a home doppler."

Lovebeingamomny

This same exact thing happened to me last week. All of a sudden very little movement all day even when doing all the normal tricks for her that get her going. I called OB and went in to get a Doppler on her heart beat and it was perfect, but she was higher up in my belly than usual. I think she moved and I just couldn't feel her as well there. The nurse also told me about the turning into your back thing and may not feel them as much. The other advice is great from pp's too!

metzger9243

I've had the same issues. I have noticed with this lil guy sugar doesn't get him going like it did with DD, but their are other things that I can eat that do. So maybe you can try some diff foods and see how your lil one reacts. I have found certain songs will get him going

cogletree

I went through the same thing a couple weeks ago. I drank a glass of orange juice and reclined a little and my little kick boxer was back as active as ever.

ers23462

After Thanksgiving, our little peanut seemed to quit kicking for a day or so... I figured the turkey must have gotten to her. Nowadays, she is kicking and as active as can be. So looking forward to meeting her in March and introducing her to her sister, brother, and daddy

skyemaisie

Wow I'm grateful for all your posts ladies, it's 5.29am & have been awake for the last few hours.
I have been concerned about the far fewer movements going on in there this past few days, so I feel a lot of reassurance from your posts... Plus a few strong movements as though baby has just had a mini yoga sesh going on has helped to relaxed my mind further.
It's hard not to worry isn't it?! Xx