Does baby always get quiet before labour?

BradysGal · November 2012

This lil guy has been so active my whole pregnancy. I have never had to count kicks cause he moves so much. Every ultrasound they told me Wow he is a busy one!

I have had terrible cramping, hes dropped but still so active! My MIL says he is too active still to be ready to come out!

minervacullen · November 2012

I know my LO gets more active when I have a strong contraction. I think it just depends on the baby. DS didn't move much during them. But he and this one were/are still just as active as ever.

tortuga47 · November 2012

I've heard this is an old wives tale. In fact, my midwife and OB caution against listening to it. Often women think their babies should quiet down and that is often the first clue of fetal distress. I'm sure different baby's activities levels drop off or pick up, but if there is a major slow down of movement, don't assume that is suppose to happen. They told me my baby shouldn't slow down in the least and if he does call them immediately.

jeggomyeggo · November 2012

tortuga47:
I've heard this is an old wives tale. In fact, my midwife and OB caution against listening to it. Often women think their babies should quiet down and that is often the first clue of fetal distress. I'm sure different baby's activities levels drop off or pick up, but if there is a major slow down of movement, don't assume that is suppose to happen. They told me my baby shouldn't slow down in the least and if he does call them immediately.

I'm a FTM, so I can't speak from experience, but this is what I've been told as well--"cautioned against" is the perfect use of words. Even while in active labor, you should feel the baby moving. Don't let your MIL throw you off -- maybe you'll have your baby soon!

minda31807 · November 2012

Both of my boys' activity level went down in the week before they were born. Both times I told my doctor and she had me do a NST to make sure that they were ok, I even got a u/s for fluid measurement with DS1 because I was over 40 weeks. With DS2, I almost called my doctor the night before I had him because he had been super quiet for most of the day.

Kie310 · November 2012

I was induced with my first, so I never went into labor on my own. But I can say that when I did NSTs with my first & with this one the nurses always remind me that if I don't feel him as much or he doesn't "pass" my kick count to call L&D immediately and most likely I will be brought in to monitor. This time the nurse point blank said that the thought that a baby slows down isn't true & it could mean something is wrong.

sadsadie · November 2012

I've heard the "quiet" theory too, but the way I see it, baby is getting big (and crowded) and there isn't as much space to play in. I'm not sure you shouldn't be feeling any movement. Lots of women report feeling their baby kick and move during labour and delivery.

yinyang124 · November 2012

My babies were active before and during labor.

choppinbroccoli22 · November 2012

I'd say, no way is that a rule!! My daughter went crazy-batty-nuts in there the night I went to sleep and my water broke at 39 w 1d. My belly looking like a pot of water in a heaving boil. We were stunned watching it!