Measuring small & less movement

[dooney]

I'm 37 weeks now. Delivered #2 at 38 weeks & #1 at 39. Midwife says I'm measuring at 35w. I also lost about a pound from last week. We scheduled another u/s for next week to check Baby girl's growth. I forgot to mention to MW that I feel a little crampy off and on today. And I haven't been feeling as much movement as I used to, but she IS definitely moving here and there. I know that's kind of normal as the space gets limited.

Am I worrying for nothing? Should I call MW and mention the cramps? They are not bad, just like a mild period.

[myk]

if you're worried, call. it is probably nothing, but peace of mind is priceless :)

[JoyfulJessie]

I wouldn't worry about any of that. I measured 2cm (2 weeks) small at my last appt and then was right on the next time. As for losing a pound - that can just be water weight. Maybe you were retaining more water last week. And they do move less now, as long as she's moving and meeting the kick counts, she's probably fine.

So, I'd just take a deep breath and go for a walk. You'll feel better after a walk and baby might kick more. : )

[SumnerRain]

Doesn't fundal height and baby's movement decrease when baby engages?  I also always lose weight in the last few weeks, but I also tend not to gain a ton in pregnancy as a general rule.  I went from 3+ wks ahead, to now right on track.  I lose about a pound or two a week.  Baby is less active, but still passing kick counts (10 movements in an hour 2x a day), and my baby isn't even engaged yet!  I am 39w3d and baby is quite comfy and is probably in it for the long haul.  I do tend to have small babies though, 6lbs 10oz at 40w5d (g), 6lbs13oz at 40w2d (b), and 7lbs7oz (b) at 41w... from most recent to oldest.

Since you are term, I would just kind of wait and see if these turn into anything.  If you are worried babe may be making an appearance soon you can kick up your feet and drink some ice water and just relax a bit.  However, I might call just for the reassurance. :)

[mra]

I had an appointment last night and one of my midwives measured me at 34.5 weeks. I'm currently 36.5 weeks. I had another appointment this morning to have my GBS done and go over my birth plan. A different midwife measured me at almost 38.

Baby's butt was definitely poking out more this morning. I'd say that the measuring isn't always accurate!

[myk]

yes, fundal height definitely reduces once baby is engaged.. when katie dropped i lost 5cm off the previous measurement :)

[butterfly1001]

I've measured oddly through this pregnancy.  For a while I was ahead 2 weeks, then I was right on, then I was behind 2 weeks, now I'm right on again.  I was consistently measuring 2 weeks behind with my previous 2, they came 39w6d and 40w4d, 7lb5oz and 7lb4oz.  I gain usually the same throughout.  I'm actually a little bit behind this time, and somehow, over the 2 week break in between visits, with Thanksgiving in between, I lost half a pound.  And baby definitely could've dropped a bit for you too.  With my first (only time I dropped prior to labor), I was 36cm at 38wks, then next visit I was 33cm.  So DEFINITELY could be that you dropped.

As for the movement decrease... maybe start doing kick counts at the baby's general awake time and see how long it takes to get to 10 kicks.  I know my midwife wants at least 10 kicks within the hour.  I get mine usually within 4 or 5 minutes, but I've got a crazy one.  Sometimes it's good just to have a general guesstimate, since sometimes it seems like they haven't kicked much, but it's still within normal range.

For the cramping... since you're 37 weeks, I wouldn't say much unless they seem to be following a good "labor" pattern.  I've been cramping for the past 2 or 3 weeks, that haven't led to labor, but I'm sure they're doing something to my cervix.  Just gearing up I guess!

Hang in there!

[lillymonster]

I have had cramping, but I ignore it, so I guess if that bothers you, you could track it. Mine has no pattern, so I try to rest and drink water and wait for it to be timeable.

As for size, I was measuring small, maybe that is why my first midwife wanted all the ultrasounds, but when I got those, the baby was measuring right on for gestational age and my fluid levels were fine. I also went to L&D for limited movement around 35 weeks and they found that the baby was moving fine, so I asked the midwife and she just said I was running out of room.

[thebigfam]

I am measuring behind now too and the baby is moving less but still moving.  My Dr. said that he is just dropping and nothing to worry about! If you are concerned you could always call and talk to your provider. 

Big Momma

[scarletjane]

Hi there,

I saw this thread title on the main board, and it caught me enough that i felt compelled to reply.  I posted a really similar post when i was about 37 weeks myself, this time last year. I was having a lot less movement, but my midwives weren't worried.  People kept telling me that babies slow down in movement at the end.  Sadly, it didn't turn out to be ok for me. 

Something that has always haunted me is that a woman replied to my post and said that she'd had less movement too and that she'd lost her baby.  I felt for her, but just really felt like things were going to turn out alright.  I trusted my midwives and didn't push for checking on my baby.

I really don't mean to scare you because i think you should be feeling blissfully worry-free and happy right now.  But the sad reality is that sometimes babies aren't ok.  And decreased movement is a big red-flag.  I guess what i want to convey is... don't worry, but do be proactive.  I hope no one is offended at my posting here.

Hugs to you and I send you wishes for a happy healthy babe who's just feeling a little cramped.

[dooney]

Scarletjane, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm certainly not offended at your reply. I asked my question wanting honest answers, not just reassurance, and I thank you for your response. She was pretty active during all her usual times yesterday so that was encouraging.

[rosiewik]

I'd mention the cramps, and I'm sure your midwife won't mind reassuring you. I've had bad menstrual cramps for awhile (on and off). I'm told it's not much to worry about.

Also, my midwife keeps reminding me that in like older babies, babies in the womb do not always grow in tidy measurements. Sometimes they grow slowly and then have growth spurts. This has happened to me a few times!

Perhaps this may offer you some comfort. 

[lillymonster]

Do you do regular kick counts? That really helps, because there are days that baby does not move that much, or like now, they are only certain periods (a little in the morning, a lot after dinner) I do try to do do a kick count at the same time after dinner. I did go to L&D because my baby missed her normal dinner movement, then very limited morning movement, and then by lunch time only had a small bout of hiccups with no movement. Of course after getting a baby sitter, and waiting for that and sitting waiting for them to call, she started moving right before they hooked me up to the EFM, but then slowed down a bit.  I did find out I was having contractions when they hooked me up to the monitor and the midwife said if I was having contractions, the baby probably wouldn't move as much

It doesn't hurt to call your midwife, or go to L&D at a hospital, I just ended up getting a lot of interventions from being there that I wished I didn't get, so it can be worth it to go but just be aware that they might worry you over nothing. I felt a lot better after going and seeing everything was okay, and then she started going back to her regular movement pattern for a few weeks now. I still get cramping and was told I had an "irritable uterus"

[myk]

oh yes, i have an "irritable uterus" as well. it's reassuring to know that the pain is just a pain, not anything to worry about :) i think kick counts are a good idea, that's what they asked me to do.. i do'nt do it religiously but i do pay attention as to whether she moves around after eating. if she doesn't, i drink some juice to get a nice blood sugar spike, wait half an hour and then jab myself in the uterus rather firmly. that usually wakes her up!

[BaileyB]

I have to agree with ScarletJane. I had the same thing happen to me last March (38 weeks) and I put it off for 2 days then I finally went in to L&D to get checked out and the doctor found no heartbeat and she was delivered via induction later the next day. Better safe than sorry. My dr says he'd rather have me come in 20 times for nothing than one time that is too late. I am 33 weeks again this time and have been in probably a handful of times in the last 4 months that ended up being nothing but I will still gladly come in and let the nurses think I'm paranoid rather than having to go through having another stillborn.