Haven’t felt baby move yet at 21 weeks

jdemo1

Please someone tell me this is okay. I have covid so I had to cancel my anatomy scan. This is our first baby and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to feel. I feel mild cramping is all. Why can’t I feel any movement? Doppler registers a heartbeat so that’s the only comfort I’ve found. Anyone have any advice?? 🙏

aclark117

I'm currently 24 weeks with my first and honestly didn't feel even a flutter until after I hit the 22 week mark. Even then, i could only feel him move internally, coupdnt press my hand to my belly to feel a movement on the outside until last week. Even thats not super frequent yet. I know it's super scary but hang in there, you'll feel them move soon enough. 

anny_r

jdemo1 I’ll tell you what my OB told me - you might not feel movement till 24 weeks, this is normal for the 1st time pregnancy.
Another ob also told me that if you have posterior placenta you will likely (but not 100%) feel baby earlier. For others it’s ok to feel it later (again, 24 weeks).
Based on my US the baby is moving ALL the time, but I don’t feel it because there is still a lot of space for the baby inside, and if the baby is not huge then he/she rarely touches the walls of uterus with enough pressure for you to feel yet. 

Also, covid does not penetrate placenta, I read multiple articles on it and if anything then the best timing for covid during pregnancy is now. 

One thing to talk about with your OB after covid is if you’re in the moderate/high risk for preeclampsia or for blood clots, as some research shows increased risk of blood clots on placenta after covid in the 3rd trimester. That’s based on what I was able to find online, nothing conclusive about covid during 2nd trimester and risks. So again - something to discuss with your OB but not to freak out! You are taking all the heat right now, baby doesn’t care about you covid at this stage (again, according to online resources.)
Hope this is helpful! 

anny_r

Also, mild cramps = uterus is growing = baby is growing = everything is fine. A formula from my OB that helps me when I’m anxious about what’s going on down there. 

00kim00

First, I'll echo what the others said that it's normal, so don't worry yet. Second, I'll always recommend calling your doctor when you're concerned; a false sense of security from people on the internet may prevent you from getting care that you otherwise would seek. Third, and related to the second point, is please don't use home fetal dopplers (The clinic one used by a trained technician is fine)! They have been linked to a greater likelihood of stillbirth and neonatal death. Women are reassured when they hear a heartbeat (just like you were), then don't go see their doctor, but they may have heard their own heartbeat, the placenta, etc. Call your doctor with any concerns, 

knottiec1bd6c5399b4642a

You're probably fine. I'd reschedule your anatomy scan as soon as your isolation is over since that is such an important screening, and it will hopefully give you peace of mind. In the meantime, I wouldn't worry too much. You may just have an anterior placenta. I had one with my first pregnancy and didn't feel any movement until 21 weeks, and for some people it takes longer. 

harpseal135

@00kim00 glad you echo what I say, as I've been blasted on these boards for saying NOT to use the at home dopplers.  My doctor told me that they are the #1 cause for nurse calls in their office and patients upset because they can't come in for earlier appointments.  We are not trained to use them!  Plus, the unknown use of them and effects is not worth it! 

To OP i did not feel baby move until 26 weeks.  It happens.  

lisamright

You might be feeling baby move and not recognize that's what you're feeling too... I am finally getting a few more noticable jabs at 23 wks... And knowing that's what I'm feeling lead to me realizing the less intense jabs weren't just some weird gas bubble or something like I originally thought. Hopefully by now you're feeling the baby though.. those first couple for sure I felt something kicks are pretty cool

ravenhairedgirl83

@jdemo1 I didn't feel anything distinctly baby until the 24/25 week mark. Since then, there's constant activity in my belly (32.5 weeks). This is my first pregnancy and often we just don't know what we're 'suppose' to be feeling. Before that it was the flutters or gas bubbles, but I got a little concerned and impatient, naturally. As long as you're getting routine prenatal care and they say everything is on track, don't worry. 
Also, unless you are trained to use the at-home dopplers, I would get rid of them. I've gotten heat on here for saying that, but my fetal medicine team said they are the #1 reason why women call in with unnecessary panic.