How much slowing down at term is normal?

[whalemilk]

I'm a basket case today. Baby is moving just enough that I don't want to run up and get monitored, but she has really slowed down the last couple days. It's a !@#$ holiday and I know if I call the peris office either no one will be there or they will send me right over to L&D. I have an appt with them tomorrow at 2 for an ultrasound, and one with a doctor on Wednesday. So I am reluctant to drag everyone up there just because I am nervous, especially because DH is supposed to work tonight and it's the last day on the pay period that "counts" as far as the check we really need to be ready for this month.

But OTOH I've been told to watch out for a slow down in movement as a sign that she's getting anemic. So I am freaked out. But I also know that it's normal for them to get slower as they get big and have less room to move, and she's REALLY big--mostly long I think, I have a loooong torso and am getting head in my crotch and feet in my ribcage, never happened with my first. So I don't know what what point I need to really worry. And I've been tossed around so much, I don't have an advice nurse to call or anything, they'd probably just send me to the hospital. Grrrr. I don't know!!

[allisonrose]

I'm not sure if it's normal but baby's movements here are considerably more subtle than before. It's making me pretty nervous as well so I understand your unease.

[Charmie981]

You have two choices: do a kick count or go to L&D for an NST. When they said a slowdown in movement, did they specify WHAT defines a slowdown? I'd probably do a couple of kick counts and see how long it takes to get 10 movements. If it's more than an hour, maybe go for the NST? If DH has to work, can you get someone to watch the kiddo while you go? As long as all is well, an NST at L&D shouldn't take more and a couple of hours, tops.

[whalemilk]

Well I went and laid down on my left side in bed for 10 minutes and easily got 10 movements in like, 4 minutes. But when I'm sitting up all I feel is tiny little twitches and shifts periodically. So I don't know if it's just that she's in a position that makes it harder to feel her when I'm sitting, or if the extra bloodflow helped, or what.

They didn't specify what counts as a slowdown, no. I guess as long as I can get her to move while I'm laying down, maybe I should just try to rest on my side as much as possible until the appointment tomorrow and see what they say? I'm really REALLY hoping that the doc is going to set an induction date and soon, my gut is worried about this right now (esp. since my titers have increased, which typically means there's been a re-exposure, ie our blood has mixed again for some reason) and I want her out and safe in my arms and HOME. *sigh* And FTR it should say something that *I* am all "induce me!!" because I am totally the type that went with homebirth because I was terrified of intervention. If I'm more scared of her being inside longer than I am of the hospital stuff, you know I'm scared!

[Charmie981]

Yeah, I'd just rest as much as possible. I hear you on the hospital stuff. Last night when my BP was 152/104 I was like "maybe I should go in for an induction NOW?" Resting brought it down a LOT (I think obsessing over the Gustav forecasts was not good for it ) and I came to my senses, but there comes a time in some pregnancies when induction is not the most terrible possibility. There's a time and place for it and if you feel you're there, talk to the peri about it. OTOH, if you bring it up and he doesn't feel you're there yet, then let him put your mind at ease and don't leave until he has .

[joshs_girl]

I'm with you on the "I want her outside in my arms where I *know* she's okay"!

FWIW, my doc said I should get 10 movements in two hours - if not, call them. I think everyone has a different definition of kick count, but I thought I'd share mine.

[whalemilk]

Yeah if there was a hurricane like that coming at me, my BP would probably rise too, yikes! I hope you guys are ok.

These peris seem really conservative and since my titers have increased I am really hoping that they will be like "eh 37 weeks, good as 40, let's send you in." I'm just tired of freaking out about this, it's so scary. I see a different doc every time though so it's hard to guess what they will say.

I'm excited to see her on u/s again tomorrow though!

[whalemilk]

Well she looked great on ultrasound today, no signs of anemia or hydrops! OTOH her weight was estimated at over 10 lbs. I know those can be off by as much as 2 lbs, but...I'm only 36 weeks. So that's pretty big either way. Wow.

For a variety of reasons we're going to be talking about induction or c-section at my appointment tomorrow. I'm not upset about it, just glad that the doctor I finally ended up with is very straightforward and just says what she's thinking instead of hanging out threats and innuendos. I really trust her. I'm pretty excited that one way or another birth day is getting close!

[joshs_girl]

I'm glad you trust your doctor - I think as long as you are happy with the decisions being made, then that's the most important thing. And what a big girl! I'm glad you had a good u/s yesterday!