Freaking out about lack of movement

[lilysmama1124]

I am 38w3d and lately my little one has had a big decrease in movement. It is mostly at night. I can't really get a consistent answer about how much movement to expect. Every book, doctor, and nurse I consult with has a different answer. My doctor said 10 in 2 hours, other dr. said 10 in one hour, the nurse said 4 times an hour and one of my books said 10 times a day. I just keep freaking out and doing counts- I can usually get her to move the 4 times an hour but I have to kind of poke at her (lightly). I have already gone in 4 times during the pg due to lack of movement and then they hook me up and she always starts moving and is fine. I have now been waking up in the middle of the night and doing counts becuase I won't feel her move for over and hour. I know they are supposed to be sleeping a lot and I kinda feel bad poking at my belly to wake her up just so I get my count but on the other had I just get so stressed and worried when I don't feel her for several hours. Anyone else obsessing over this? What do your OB/MW say?

[paxye]

I don't have a mw or doc but the babe isn't moving much here either... I remember the same thing happening with my boys also in the last weeks and my mw not worrying...

if you are worried, then just take something sweet or some coffee and lay down for a minute or two a bit after... you can also do what I do and poke around a bit and usually the babe will respond...

Sometimes they change position though and you really can't feel anything unless you really pay attention...

I completely understand the worries though...

[starlein26]

My daughter moved a lot less those last few weeks too and it worried me, but she always looked good during NSTs and her heart rate was always healthy. She's here now so I can worry less...although which mother doesn't worry.

If you're really, really worried...after you quiet that inner voice of fear, than go in and get checked out. It doesn't hurt, kwim.

[TesalynsMommy04]

Lurking over from the Dec DDC, but I've been experiencing this the past week. Babe only seems to move a few times a day and it's more subtle, not huge hard kicks/punches like it used to be. I'll end up being a Nov mama anyways I think, but my OB and his nurse both told me that as long as the babe is moving 4 times an hour, you're good... well that doesn't always happen with me cuz my babe will sleep, but when he/she does move, I can tell. HTH!

[Pandora114]

Mine moves lots when I drink coffee..

I know he's fine.



There's just not much room in there for them anymore so it's kinda difficult for them to move. That and they are storing their energy up for the big day!

[citymama]

I completely understand your worry. I dragged my husband to the hospital at midnight around 38/39 weeks when I was pregnant with our first. Everything checked out fine. They had me come in the next day or so for a NST and again everything was fine. For me, it was worth it for the peace of mind.

This time around I make sure to have a little something sweet or a glass of ice water and then recline and relax a bit and talk with my baby before going to bed for the night. I really don't feel the baby move much during the day as I'm so preoccupied with running around after my daughter. It is only when I lay back and chill out a bit that I feel her moving.

[Mrs_Hos]

worry not mama!!
It is normal for them to get very 'quiet' in the last days.

Also--about the 'different answers with Drs and nurses etc...welcome to the world of parenthood! I tend to listen to the medical community with a grain of salt and learned to listen to my motherly instincts.
Talk to your baby--ask how she is doing...then trust her and have faith that is all alright--stress affects you and her negatively--put the books down and enjoy these last days of pg!

[KIMBER1983]

I had the same worries much of the time.
I barely felt my baby move. I felt her hiccups and sometimes the occasional leg poke by my ribs. But not alot other than that.
I would drink ice water and sugary drinks and sometimes that did nothing.
She turned out just fine!!
So try not to worry. I'm sure all is well.

[AllisonR]

Forget the 10 per hour / day or whatever rules. Really.

Babe has less space, and can often sleep for a very long time. All she is doing now is growing, which takes a lot of energy, so she sleeps a lot. DS was barely ever moving, and he turned out fine. I am 39 weeks with DD and she is a constant mover. Every few days though she stops for a really long time. I give her a little poke or eat ice if I haven't felt her in a few hours, and when she responds I leave her in peace.

Find something else to worry about. Or don't worry at all - come up with some fun activities during the day so you are not thinking about babe 100% of the time.

[midwestmeg]

I agree with Allison. I think you can really feel your baby get 'organzied' over the course of your pregnancy. First the little jabs every now and again, then the constant kicks, real 'movement', lots of night movements and then, finally only some movement.

Space gets small, and baby gets on your schedule.... I can feel my baby respond when I eat, or if I massage my tummy I can feel response, but now it's pretty suble.

Hang in there!

When I was concerned with my first, I listened to folks like Paxye with a couple of kids, and it sounded like something everyone goes through in the last few weeks.

[atpeace]

I know your worry!!! I had a panicky moment this morning when I didn't feel movement when I woke up like I usually do...freaked me out big time! But then I reasurred myself by remembering what many people have said about the last few days/weeks...babies "conserve" energy for the upcoming labour and birth by sleeping more and just being laid back. I don't know if that's true or not, but I've heard it from MIL, various other experienced mamas, and read it in different places, so I guess it's pretty common. Forget the "kick counts"...they make you more stressed than anything, and my midwife suggested I don't do them.

[hopeful1]

I'm sure she's fine. Once you get at the end like we are, movement decreases because they don't have as much space. My little one still moves around on a pretty regular basis but it's nowhere near as much as he used to. Don't feel bad for going in to your doctor's office for reassurance. I actually rented a fetal doppler from about month 5 until two weeks ago when I just sent it back. It's hard to not be anxious when we've come so far. Keep your chin up and I'm sure your little one is perfectly fine.