Fetal Movement... HELP! « Back to Group Discussions

[LilyTiger]

Hey everyone, I hope this is just first time mom paranoia, but I need some reassurance about fetal movement.  I'm at 29 weeks and I've been feeling pretty consistent fetal movement for a few weeks now.  I just got the stupid bump.com e-mail update about what to expect at 29 weeks, and everyone was mentioning kicks and hiccups and crazy acrobatics.  My next door neighbor, who is due two days before me, said she was up all night because the baby had hiccups and she described the general movement as like a fetal circus.  My movements have never been like that.  I've felt a few kicks here and there, but particularly for the past two weeks or so all I've really felt have been rolls or the baby subtly changing position.  And even this I only feel maybe twice a day.  I've been very active, so perhaps I'm just missing some of the movement.  And the baby is a little more active at night, so perhaps I'm just sleeping through stuff.

But anyway, the question is: is anyone else having really subtle movement?  Any BTDT moms had a lazy fetus?  Was everything ok?  I may call my doc tomorrow and see if I can get in to hear the heartbeat really quickly this week just for reassurance.  I heard it last week and it was fine, but the movement this week has been more subtle than usual, so I'm worried.

(I felt my first movement at 17 weeks, and as far as I know, I don't have an anterior placenta or anything that would mask the movement)

[Lizbiz]

Hey - Sounds like it could be normal - if you're feeling movement each day, that's most important.  If you're really worried - I would try lying down and maybe shifting positions after having drunk a glass of juice and just wait for the movement.  That usually gets my babies moving. 

My babies have not all been the same.  My first was a nut.  My second was more relaxed.  This baby is more like the first - very active. 

And, I believe there would be no harm in going in to your doctor to just double check that things are fine.  As a first-time mom - it's hard to know what's normal. 

[NewMumJoy]

Oh sorry that you're stressing over this.... that is no fun at all....

Although I'm sure that everything is fine, you have nothing to lose by calling your doc for some reassurance.  Perhaps since your'e so active during the day, your movements are keeping baby calm and asleep most during most of your "awake" hours.   My LO is quite active when I'm resting at night, but I go for long periods in the day feeling nothing.  I asked my doc about this too (as I had read there should be # movements per hour) and he said we only needed to feel about 10 kicks (or something) per DAY (not to worry about the hourly stuff!)  Also, as baby grows bigger, there will be less room for large maneuvers; he said to expect to feel movement actually subside as the next couple months wear on....

[LilyTiger]

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone.  My doc wants me in for an ultrasound today or tomorrow. She said it's probably normal, but...  

We'll see what that says.  I felt movement last night, but again pretty subtle, so it will be good to get some answers (hopefully).

[Ninetales]

I know it's hard not to worry, and it's good you're going in if it will give you peace of mind.  I usually go by "any movement means everything is ok."  Sometimes mine is crazy active and it feels like Mike Tyson is trying to punch his way out.  Other times it's quiet and feels like little fluttery movements.  He's chilled out a bit since Friday, which is when I think he turned head down.  I'm sure everything is fine.  :)

[LilyTiger]

Thanks again, guys.  Ninetales (and anyone else), how do you know when the baby has turned head down?  I'm wondering if that could explain my sudden pelvic discomfort from the last two weeks and the sudden need (starting last week) to go #2 3+ times a day.  Could the baby's position be putting more pressure on my bowels and pelvis?  Or does that only really happen when the baby is actually engaged?

I have a non-stress test at 3pm today and if that is abnormal they'll do an u/s.  When I talked with my doc today on the phone, she said that her only concern was that the movement patterns had changed in the past two weeks (so I was feeling a lot more movement before and not much at all now).  But I'm wondering whether that could be due to the baby changing position too.  At any rate, I'll have more information this afternoon.  Thanks for all your support!

[LeAnn A Doula]

I've noticed that my belly feels/looks fuller when baby is head down and anterior (facing my back). I also feel more kicks up near my ribs. Sometimes I feel less pronouned movement when baby is in that position, too, like LO's feet are tucked in and just kicking at my organs. Its more like little pains and pressure than the movement I feel in other positions. I hope all goes well w your non-stress test. Keep us posted!

[NewMumJoy]

Glad to hear you're going in - at least your worries will be answered..... good luck!!!

[Ninetales]

I think he's moved because I used to feel hard powerful kicks down at the bottom of my belly, but on Friday after my chiropractic adjustment I felt lots of rolling, and now movement down at the bottom feels...big?  I guess like a large object is moving around, not limbs.  And now the jabby stuff has slowed down, which makes me think that the legs are pointed at my back now, so I'm not feeling them as much.  It's just a hunch, though.  I plan to ask at my next appointment - I think they're better at feeling around and telling for sure.

[LilyTiger]

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the support and advice.  The baby passed the non-stress test with flying colors.  The nurse said that there was no way the baby could have done better and even if she's just saying that to make me feel better, it worked.  I almost started crying with relief in the hospital and then did start crying when I got home and told DH.  I guess I have finally come to the emotional place of recognizing how much this little creature means to me, and it's a little terrifying. 

At any rate, apparently I'm carrying a ninja fetus, because the movements are still incredibly stealthy.  So when I get worried next time I'll just picture a little ninja fetus creeping around my uterus, up to no good. 

[rebecca10]

Yay! Great news!

[pennywhistle]

Originally Posted by LilyTiger 

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the support and advice.  The baby passed the non-stress test with flying colors.  The nurse said that there was no way the baby could have done better and even if she's just saying that to make me feel better, it worked.  I almost started crying with relief in the hospital and then did start crying when I got home and told DH.  I guess I have finally come to the emotional place of recognizing how much this little creature means to me, and it's a little terrifying. 

At any rate, apparently I'm carrying a ninja fetus, because the movements are still incredibly stealthy.  So when I get worried next time I'll just picture a little ninja fetus creeping around my uterus, up to no good. 

A few weeks ago I had a similar worry, and when the midwife found the heartbeat my husband & I made eye contact and smiled and...yeah.  I had known that I was excited for the baby, but that moment really made me KNOW, you know?

Also, re: ninja fetus, join the club: http://dkingneece.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/ninja-fetus/

[LilyTiger]

Ahhhh, Pennywhistle, that's awesome!  First, you're totally right on that crazy moment.  I mean, it's insane how it just hits.  My husband felt the same way, and we just hugged when I got home with the stress test results.  I think we should bank these feelings for when the kid is 14 and pushing all our damn buttons.

And I LOVE the ninja fetus!  I thought I was being hilarious and original, but you beat me to it!  We'll both love our little ninja babies...  Maybe they'll sneak out of the womb and we won't even know we were in labor.    (They don't really have a ninja smiley, so this was the closest I could get)

[pennywhistle]

If my ninja fetus can stealthily remove himself from my uterus without me noticing, I will not complain. 

[NewMumJoy]

Glad everything is fine!!  :)

[intime0]

I have one of those too.  I"m banking it's a boy. LOL. 

Glad everything is fine!!!