XP: Fetal Movement while at work

FutureMrsW9 · April 2014

Does anyone have any secrets for days when you're stuck at work and not feeling baby move? I know they tell you to have something sugary and/or cold and lay down....well at work I obviously can't go lay down, but that does tend to work when I'm at home. Any tips or tricks when you can't lay down or concentrate too much on counting? TIA!

lellymine · April 2014

If I lean against something, like my computer desk edge or countertop, it gets her kicking.

FutureMrsW9 · April 2014

@lyracelesti said:

Do they have coffee in your breakroom? Half a cup and he's having a party; impossible to miss. It can get painful though, so only do this if you're really nervous.

Painful??? Oh no! I'm not at the point where any of the movements have been painful...I'm tall though, so baby has tons of room still to move around so that's probably why. Is it sick that I kinda want to feel the painful kicks? lol Yes...yes, it is. Good idea, though, I think I'll go make myself some coffee. Usually baby is moving to high holy heavens by this point of the day, but today, nothing.

Taymiller · April 2014

Morning thunder tea by celestial seasonings, I drink it every afternoon so I stay awake at work and he has a dance party after.

brooklyngirl46 · April 2014

Almonds/some kind of nut (preferably honey roasted, but that's just cause I take sugar any way I can get it). Usually that does the trick. Or OJ if you can get some.

snowpants · April 2014

Like @lizardbreath14 said I use ice water. I fill up my Nalgene bottle (32 ounces) and try to down it as quickly as possible. I'll also have a bit of juice and/or some candy.

Of course this means I'll have to pee like 8 times in row but it usually does the trick to get baby kicking.

It's hard to not have the option to lay down though. I was doing kick counts a couple weeks ago because baby hadn't been moving much at work and despite the ice water and candy I got zero kicks for two+ hours. I finally went in to be monitored and sure enough, as soon as I was able to lay down at the clinic baby started with some ninja like movements.

ashanne88 · April 2014

lellymine said:

If I lean against something, like my computer desk edge or countertop, it gets her kicking.

This. If you're sitting at at desk, use the desk to put a little pressure on your belly. I do it all the time accidentally and LO starts pushing back.

ElTrain5 · April 2014

As PP's have said, Ice water, cold juice, or coffee/tea. Also, if I lean into my desk (like I'm staring really intensely at my monitor) that usually gets him antsy. Also, peeing/pooping sometimes gets a little movement since he suddenly has a little more space in there.

PressLove · April 2014

I agree with all the PPs that mention pressure on the tummy. If I cross my arms too low, LO hates it and IMMEDIATELY pushes me away.

I was having a hard time with fetal movement, especially at work. Sugar, caffeine, cold drinks usually didn't work for me. Maybe I was too distracted at work. Plus, I'm kinda tall with an anterior placenta, so she likes to stay buried deep.

TheMrs820 · April 2014

I am with @snowpants‌ & @lizardbreath14‌ ice water & drink it fast. I also put a box under my desk & try to put my feet up.

katekat8721 · April 2014

All of the above! I would just usually rub the tummy too and then they'd get moving. I didn't do kick counts or anything at work though, it's too distracting trying to keep track of which one is kicking. I saved those for home.

Try changing your position to give baby more or less space. Bending over slightly and then leaning back in your chair may work.

CherSomething · April 2014

My baby isn't a big kicker, I don't do any kind of counts. She just kind of squirms. I feel like I feel her more at work. But yeah, like the others said, when I lean against my desk or have something against my belly, she'll usually push back. She's kind of quiet though.

FutureMrsW9 · April 2014

Thanks ladies! I just had a big bowl of creamy pasta and a regular coke....hopefully this combo helps! I have felt a few little flutters way down low, so at least it's something, but usually baby is like a gymnast in there! Maybe baby is just positioned in such a way today that I'm not feeling the movements as much as usual.

FAWKES81 · April 2014

Probably not something you are "supposed" to do but when my LO is not moving for awhile and drinking something cold doesn't get him going I'll put my hands on the sides of my belly and jiggle it - kinda rock it back and forth as if to say "wakey wakey". It usually pisses him off and he kicks the crap out of me for a good 15 minutes.

katekat8721 · April 2014

FAWKES81 said:

Probably not something you are "supposed" to do but when my LO is not moving for awhile and drinking something cold doesn't get him going I'll put my hands on the sides of my belly and jiggle it - kinda rock it back and forth as if to say "wakey wakey". It usually pisses him off and he kicks the crap out of me for a good 15 minutes.

lol, not only do I also do this, but I too tell them to "wakey wakey"

snowpants · April 2014

I'm seriously LOLing at the thought of doing these all at once, and loudly, while at work....

Chug some liquids, eat some candy, lean into your computer desk, push on your belly while saying "wakey wakey" and then start clapping enthusiastically. See how many strange looks you get.

Pepper6 · April 2014

The nurse in my L&D class said a cherry coke icee is good because it has all the things that usually get baby moving: ice cold, caffeine, and sugar.

brooklyngirl46 · April 2014

As if i needed another reason to get a cherry coke icee!

rastrau · April 2014

ashanne88 said:

lellymine said:

If I lean against something, like my computer desk edge or countertop, it gets her kicking.

This. If you're sitting at at desk, use the desk to put a little pressure on your belly. I do it all the time accidentally and LO starts pushing back.

wss^ - it also helps me if it's a cold surface. I'm in the same situation as @Presslove - tall with an anterior placenta and I literally just came back from resting my bump on the cold countertop in our locker room to force movement that a doughnut and ice water wasn't getting me.

BabyCurtiss2014 · April 2014

I feel bad that sometimes I too jiggle my belly to get him to move, eat ice cream or drink cold water

FutureMrsW9 · April 2014

So it seems as though the lack of fetal movement was being caused by irritable uterus. I made my first trip to L&D this morning because baby still wasn't moving and I was experiencing period-like cramps, so MW told me to come in. Of course as soon as I got there baby perked up - that's how it always happens, right? But they did see that I was having mild contractions. No signs of labor. They checked for dehydration and infection, which could both cause the contractions, but neither seemed to be the cause, so right now my dx is irritable uterus and I'm on sort-of bed rest until further notice.

Want a personalized experience?

XP: Fetal Movement while at work

Re: XP: Fetal Movement while at work

Choose Another Board

Search Boards