Increased baby movements - is this okay?

[Noelle C.]

UPDATE IN POST 11

Since last night, our baby has been moving like crazy, more time spent moving than not. I'm finding plenty on decreased movement, but not increased. Squirmy wormy. Crazy wormy.

Anyway, since last night my lower back has been killing me, and I had a few times of my lower abdomen, bottom of my uterus, cramping like hell was trying to knock wind out of me. Also my heart has had some times of beating harder, like a lump of lead.

I'll be seeing the back-up doc tomorrow (Friday) for version attempt #2 since version attempt 1 with the midwife yesterday (Wednesday) didn't work. So I suppose I'll find out then, but I'd like to see if anyone has any ideas in the meantime. Thanks.

[greenthumb3]

Hm, maybe baby is trying to change position on his/her own?

Have you tried the cat pose? (hands and knees) It can give baby some space to move about if that is what baby needs. That or try elevating your butt and hips up higher than your abdomen while you are on your hands and knees, resting your forehead on the bed, some mamas do this pose on the stairs with their butt two-three steps above them like spinningbabies.com mentions. Hard to describe here but the website does a better job. They call it an inversion, similar to the Open Knee Chest position.

If nothing else, it can get baby off your back/hips for a bit and may relieve some of that pressure.

That's all I got.

[Noelle C.]

That's what I've been thinking! She had the hiccups while I was in the bath a few minutes ago (just got out, still wrapped in a towel, so really just minutes ago) that felt like they were very low. So hopefully? I'll find out in the morning. We're hoping so hard.

Yesterday evening I felt her move, like she was struggling to move, so off to laying on the ironing board while watching a couple movies, and trying to move her myself pretty hard with my hands, got into the tub with my fiance, downward dog (same as the downward cat, I've just always heard it with dog), only my head resting on his lap, trying to keep her out or my pelvis, and then, when on the bed, rolling either to my right side or back, depending on what felt right in a way I can't explain. Then I got tired after about four hours of this stuff and got crampy, so went to bed, and she just kept moving and squirming and we felt flutter movements where he head was at the midwife's.

I'm afraid to jinx things and can't wait until morning when I'll see the OB and have an ultrasound. We need good news, and this would certainly help!

[crunchy_mama]

I would say she is trying to get in a better position as well. My lil' one did that last week, although she was not breech before that I know of I think she was trying to get into a more optimal position.

[Siennaflower]

Are you drinking enough water? I was in L&D over the weekend for something completely unrelated and my little one was bopping all over the place, and her heart beat was a little high on the monitor. The nurse had me drink a ton of water and she calmed down. I thought I had been drinking enough, apparently not. Anyway just thought I would mention it, but I also agree she could be on the move into a better position, too.

[ExuberantDaffodil]

my babe definitely had increased (and slightly uncomfortable for me!) movements when she flipped head down. When I walked into my 37 week appt, the first thing I told my midwife was, "This baby is flopping around in there!" and she said, "Betcha she's moving head down..." and sure enough, she did.

[Beppie]

a couple weeks ago when I was about 37 weeks along, my baby had a crazy spell of movement and kicks that hurt so bad, catching me completely off guard... all this was accompanied by a terrible back ache for a few days. Just wanted to say I think she was adjusting her position somehow, and I did lots of hands and knees position, which really helped. After a couple of days things settled down.

That would be great news if your baby is head down! Hope it's true, let us know!

[beebalmmama]

I hope it means something good. Good luck mama!

[SunShineSally]

that means she moved head down!!!!

[vegasgrl]

It really does sound promising, mama. While only anecdotal of course, when my babe turned head down I experienced a great deal of crazy movement, more than I ever had before. Keep up those spinning babies positions today!!! I'm pulling for you and your LO!

[Noelle C.]

Thanks for the encouragement, Ladies.

She went from being back-down, head sticking out my left side, to back up, head in my right hip, her left arm presenting. This is an improvement, though it means c-section still if labor were to start at this time. But it's an improvement because she only needs to move about 45 degrees, much better than the 270 before. They wouldn't want to move her thr 90 degrees from left side on clockwise since that would make her have to bend back. So following the direction of her head, it would have been 270. 45 is MUCH better.

She's got plenty of fluid, borderline high, which could be because it's all concentrated above her. But having this fluid also means it'll be easier for her to move still.

Rather than a version today, I'll have another attempt with the midwife on Monday, if need be, and then one at the hospital with the OB surgical team on standby on Tuesday, if she's still not quite head-down. But she is definitely closer.

So I guess it's back to watching movies upside down on the ironing board while getting foot-rubs, and time spent in the downward-dog position. Maybe some shoulder stands. I did those all the time pre-pregnancy. Just need go her her arm out of the way so it doesn't block her path!!

This news (not exactly what was hoped for, but still not bad), combined with just waiting for my fiance's employer to get the go-ahead to add his old position (meaning big raise!) means things are finally looking up a bit. And we NEED good stuff to start happening after the absolute hell of the last month!! This will just leave us with our beastly upstairs neighbors to deal with (and we're hoping to be moved by January anyway). Can't do anything about my mom's potential panreatic cancer, his step-dad's (highly-curable due to being caught early) cancer, the death in the family, heart attack, etc.. The stuff immediately surroundin us though is looking better. FINALLY.

[vegasgrl]

Your mood sounds much improved today - that's so good to hear! I wanted to also suggest, if you have one, that you sit on a yoga ball as much as possible, in conjunction with your ironing board and downward doggy fun. Sitting on the yoga ball allows your pelvis to spread out a bit, giving the baby more room in there to move around. It's been a godsend to me.

Good luck mama!

[mamatolevi]

hey there! I've been thinking about you. I'm so glad to hear that she's in a better position! will he hoping all weekend for you that she settles into a nice LOA spot for you!

[greenthumb3]

Yay! She did move! That sounds so promising, much better than before, like you pointed out. And bless her little heart, she was trying so hard to get in a better position--she wants to meet her mommy! Good luck with doing the positions some more, sending you positive vibes it will do the trick and she will turn the rest of the way.

[dynogirl]

any news?