Decrease In Movement...

[ladyleah]

I know this post was mentally brought about by Leewoss's NICU story....but, is it normal to have some decrease in movement at 39 weeks?

I had a MW appt. yesterday and his heart was strong, and had been moving/rolling around quite a bit-- usually more so at night. But if course, last night he was pretty quiet. And pretty quiet this morning. Yes, there is some movement, but it doesn't seem as strong. I know there is less space in there for him to move as well....

Maybe it's a total psychological thing at this point in the pregnancy....ugh. I am freaking myself out all the time these days....

[penguintattoo]

I noticed I don't feel as much movement in the past week as I was feeling. If I put my hand on my stomach though I can feel her squirming around in there though, I think because she is running out of space its harder to make any super big movements. If you eat or drink something and lay down will he still move? If I get really worried I get in the car and turn the music up that always makes her move. As long as you can still feel movement, I would think you were ok, plus you just had an appt and the hb was strong!!

[bluebunny]

I've had a couple of freak-out moments where baby hasn't moved as much as she was. Usually lying down and being still for a few minutes (even up to 30 minutes) would give me some bigger movements. Try not to worry!

[Mizelenius]

If you are at all worried, contact your MW. It won't hurt.

[crunchy_mama]

It is normal for the baby to slow down, they don't have near the room that they did have and it is said they often slow down before birth. I think the advice is if you are concerned drink some oj or something and lay down for a bit and see what happens, then if you are still concerned contact somebody.

[ladyleah]

Thanks ladies-- yep, the food did it because he started grooving after lunch today. Normally he does it after breakfast as well.....but today he didn't. He also wasn't rolling this morning when I was on my back in bed (and usually he does) But I have been getting some good movement the last few hours or so...

It's weird, because I always think I have his pattern down-- and then when it changes I get paranoid. I know it's better to be safe then sorry-- but it feels like it is getting harder to not be as paranoid as the week tick on!

I had a scare about 10 weeks ago when he basically stopped moving completely for over 24 hours. I work in a hospital, so my MW told me to go to L and D and have them strap a monitor on me. The first 1/2 hour he didn't move a bit (although he had a strong heartbeat) and the RN was looking concerned with the monitoring print outs, and then all of the sudden he was wiggling around like no tomorrow!! After at least an hour of that, they let me go...and he kept up the movement from then on. The MW decided it was because I had had an exhausting weekend with no breaks (I work during the week and do "gigs" as a professional musician each weekend) and was on my feet for many hours with poor sleep (because I had to pee all night!).....so I was totally exhausted, and she thought maybe he was as well!

Anywho. I am rambling. Thanks to all for the feedback. I will stay alert, but try not to be OVER alert and/or paranoid!

[Leewoss]

I know how hard it an be to make that call...but I would recommend if you sense a big difference, go in and check it out. Better to be safe than sorry...thank God that Maddy is okay but I will always wonder if having gone in just those few hours earlier might have saved her from NICU. She always had a pattern of being quiet in the day and super active at night....I went in around 7PM, but really started worrying around 4PM. I don't want to make you paranoid at all, but I would say - always better safe than sorry - you may sense if something is different. I was able to get a sluggish kick from Maddy at 4PM and that was enough to make me literally turn around and go home as we were driving to the hospital...I will regret that decision for as long as I live.

[ladyleah]

Aw Leewoss.....I hope you forgive yourself with lots of love and kindness...thankfully Maddy is going to be okay, and she is going to be ok because YOU made the best choice on instinct. We do the best we can with what we have-- and that is all that we can do. Again, I am so thankful that your little girl is going to be ok, and that you are ok as well!!!

That being said. I really appreciate your feedback, and will be certain to heed your advice. Thankfully, my little guy has been moving like crazy ever since lunchtime, so currently I am not worried (well, AS worried....I guess I will always be worried until he is out, safe and healthy).

Please keep us posted on Maddy's progress!

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by Leewoss

I was able to get a sluggish kick from Maddy at 4PM and that was enough to make me literally turn around and go home as we were driving to the hospital...I will regret that decision for as long as I live.

Mama, I would have done the same. I don't even know if I would have called the hospital. With my 1st DD, the day she was born, I could not get her to move, even with OJ, so I went to get checked out. She was moving fine and I was having cx without even noticing it, and I had her later that day.

So, from that point with my other DD, I got used to babies being quiet right before birth and I don't think I would have called again with my other babies . . .in fact, I didn't. It is only because of your story that I will always advise people to be as cautious as possible. I know you were far more cautious (thank goodness) than I would have been.

[beebalmmama]

I know Leewoss's story got me a little worried the other day too. I wasn't feeling him move quite as much, but I still got an occasional squirm. But I wasn't getting movements that lasted very long. But then he also seemed like he had switched positions from the one he's been in for weeks now and I think that added to it. Turns out though last night he was wiggling and kicking for hours and moving quite a bit today too. This one always seems to have a nack for mellowing out for a day and then being extra vigorous. That said, if he would have been as quiet today I probably would have called my midwife. Like others said it is better to be safe and have peace of mind if your really worried.