3rd Trimester

What is the reason for decreased fetal movement?

I googled and can't find a succinct answer. 

Last night, I felt such strong movement that it woke me up.  I think LO was trying to flip from transverse to another position.  My stomach was really heaving around.

Today I haven't felt much from him at all.  And I've even had two Reece's cups and an orange, for medicinal purposes...  Embarrassed

So, a decrease in movement is supposed to indicate what?

Re: What is the reason for decreased fetal movement?

  • That your baby is being lazy?  It's still pretty early in the day unless you're halfway across the world.  I think most babies have days when they're more or less active than others.  If he's not moving at all I'd be concerned, but certainly it can be quite normal to have days with more activity and days with less.
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  • In addition to what PP said, if you felt tons of mvmt last night, then LO may have changed positions. He could be kicking your placenta now and you just can't feel it as well. Do you have a doppler? If so, listen for the heartrate to spike and lower repeatedly - these are called accelerations and indicate that LO is, in fact, moving - even if you can't feel it.  Your OB will also do this for you if you are really worried. GL - HTH

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  • Well, in general, fetal movement is taken to be a sign of fetal well-being.  If they are not moving, there might be a problem (could be a number of things - or nothing at all) which is why you are supposed to call your OB about it.  Have you done kick counts today?   
  • imageadriennevla:
    That your baby is being lazy?  It's still pretty early in the day unless you're halfway across the world.  I think most babies have days when they're more or less active than others.  If he's not moving at all I'd be concerned, but certainly it can be quite normal to have days with more activity and days with less.

    My question was probably not worded well enough, and that's my mistake.  I was trying to ask what the medical reason would be for decreased fetal movement.  Distress?  Some kind of cord issue?  Etc. 

    I'm sure that in my case it does have to do with the change in position, as another poster replied. 

  • My little one hasn't been moving much for the past 24 hours.  At my regular doctor's appointment this morning, my doc scheduled an ultrasound for later today to check fluid levels.  I guess that can be a cause of reduced movement.  Will let you know how it goes!
  • I just went through this last week with the doctor. I had noticed that the movement wasnt as much and I did mention something to the doctor and they sent me for a NST test and ultrasound. At the other office for test the doctor there told me that at this point the baby goes through rapid growth stages. 3 days at a time and in that time things can slow down. He told me to just keep track of times when they were active before and make sure I can feel 10 movements in 2 hours time. No matter what I guess we should be able to feel something. They told me though that the level of fluid around the baby can change during the rapid growth spurts and to make sure if for any reason you think there is something not right to call. Better to be safe than sorry. So if you feel like LO is being lazy or not being itself, I would call just to be safe. Mine turned out he was just being lazy and looked great and had plenty of fluid.
  • imagehollybabe:

    imageadriennevla:
    That your baby is being lazy?  It's still pretty early in the day unless you're halfway across the world.  I think most babies have days when they're more or less active than others.  If he's not moving at all I'd be concerned, but certainly it can be quite normal to have days with more activity and days with less.

    My question was probably not worded well enough, and that's my mistake.  I was trying to ask what the medical reason would be for decreased fetal movement.  Distress?  Some kind of cord issue?  Etc. 

    I'm sure that in my case it does have to do with the change in position, as another poster replied. 

    It can be a number of reason. The baby could have the cord wrapped around their neck, a knot could be in the cord, they could be pushing down on their cord, and I think there are other unknown reason as well.

    Just keep a kick count and if you have worries then call your OB. Always safe then sorry. 

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  • DO a kick count. Any fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours is cause for concern.

    I had to go to L&D for decreased movement on Saturday. Turns out I was contracting regularly and that can cause a change in fetal activity. If I were you, I would track the movements in case LO's shift last night has caused a cord issue.

    Other possible causes for decreased movement are fetal distress, placenta issues, growth spurts, among other things.

    GL!

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