[BabyMae09]

Hey all. So DD hasn't been moving as much the past 24 hours or so... checked her heartbeat, and it was low the first time (120's). I hadn't gotten out of bed yet. The second time I checked this morning, after I'd been up for a few minutes, it was around 142, which is slightly below normal for her - usually she's around 150.

She's usually REALLY active - as in, pushing and squirming all day long, every day. I've felt some movement this morning, but not anything near what I normally do. I'm drinking some OJ to try to get her to move some more.

I don't want to call my OB because they always ask the same stupid stuff (Is there a puddle of water filling your shoe? WTH?).

Also, all they can do is check her HB, which I already did and can do here at home. Any thoughts on this?

I only have a few weeks left until my DD, and I've heard sometimes babies settle down around then. Is that generally true?

Thanks in advance!

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[TzippityDoulah]

I agree the onyl thign they can do is get her heartbeat... they woudl only do a u/s if there was a problem finding a hb. (which obvously there isn't).

I dont know how far along you are, but 120 and 142 are totally reasonable hearbeats. you could try walking around and getting your blood really flowing and then try the heartbeat again. see if it increases.

if after all of this you're still worried, you can call the OB still.

some kids do go throw spurts of quiet. I don't know why... maybe they need extra "sleep" but I will have days where the baby si so active I can't hardly stand it - my stomach gets beat up! and then days where it seems the baby sleeps ALL day long. I think this is normal to some degree.

if I'm feeling unsure I wiggly my belly around and start tlaking to the baby. drink something cold... or even a little sugar or caffiene. ususally baby starts moving around soon after. (caffiene is a personal choice - some would say it's dangerous)

 

[rixafreeze]

Well, I wouldn't be too casual about it. If you're noticing fewer fetal movements, then more extensive monitoring may be helpful to see if there are any worrisome patterns in the heartrate variation (for example, is she having decels even without contractions?). These are times when the monitoring strips can be useful to see patterns that you can't really detect by listening for short intervals. Decreased fetal movement is one of the symptoms women experience before stillbirths, so if it's worrying you enough to take note of it, then it might be prudent to have things checked out more.

Babies' movements do change as they get bigger in quality, but they shouldn't change in overall quantity. In other words, you'll feel fewer large kicks and more squirms and rolls as the baby runs out of space--but you should still feel movement just as often. Babies do have periods of sleep and waking, but over a longer period of time (24 hours, say) their movements should be fairly consistent day-to-day.

Anyway, just keep a close eye on things. Good luck!

 

[accountclosed3]

i think that for me, this issue would be whether or not i felt things were normal or problematic. if you feel/think that it's normal, then go with that. if you feel/think that it's not, then get some help.

hawk was always a big mover in the womb, but he would also take LONG naps towards the end of the pregnancy. sometimes, it would be a bit freaky, but i felt/knew that everything was going along ok. so, i didn't need outside help.

don't be afraid to call. even if they ask "stupid" questions, they are looking for stuff. and if you are really worried, you can circumvent them, go to the hospital, and have them call your doc.

 

[fyrebloom]

I agree, while bradycardia is anything under 120, if baby is varying and doesn't STAY at 120 or less then there probably isn't anything to worry about. If you are feeling loss of frequency of movement you probably should get checked because there could be an issue with the baby. Keep an eye on things, drink some OJ and see if you can get bubs to wake up. You should be feeling something even if it's just a little wiggle every few hours.

 

[Mama Dragon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyMae09 Hey all. So DD hasn't been moving as much the past 24 hours or so... checked her heartbeat, and it was low the first time (120's). I hadn't gotten out of bed yet. The second time I checked this morning, after I'd been up for a few minutes, it was around 142, which is slightly below normal for her - usually she's around 150. She's usually REALLY active - as in, pushing and squirming all day long, every day. I've felt some movement this morning, but not anything near what I normally do. I'm drinking some OJ to try to get her to move some more.

It could be fine, sometimes they squish their cords. It might be a knot in the cord. She could have just been sleepy. I would get checked out to be sure. Intuition only goes so far, you can't "feel" a cord or other problem.

Quote:

I don't want to call my OB because they always ask the same stupid stuff (Is there a puddle of water filling your shoe? WTH?). Also, all they can do is check her HB, which I already did and can do here at home. Any thoughts on this?

They can do an ultrasound...if they can't, just walk into the ER. Just let the dumb questions roll off your back and give them a call =)

Quote:

I only have a few weeks left until my DD, and I've heard sometimes babies settle down around then. Is that generally true?

To an extent, as their space gets cramped they don't stretch as much. It's usually not a sudden, noticable decrease though. Has she perked back up by now?

 

[sophiekat]

Have you been doing kick counts? Is this consistent with your baby's pattern of sleep/wake cycles?

Mama, decreased foetal movement is ALWAYS something to get checked out. By virtue of posting here, clearly you're worried that this doesn't "feel" normal. And while listening to the hb is great, the point of continuously monitoring you in the OB's office or hospital is to be able to see patterns that you just don't get by listening intermittently.
Stillbirth is not something that usually just happens. Foetal activity decreases and the baby dies-be it suffocating from cord, heart failure or whatever. None of those foetal deaths are a everything is normal and fine and BAM they die type of thing.

Scientific studies over the last 40 years have shown that foetal movement is the best indicator of your baby's well-being.
Additionally, it is also an erroneous assumption that a baby stops moving as much or changes @ the end of pregnancy. The baby may move differently, less kicks and more rolling, but the overall pattern and amount of movement should remain consistent.
Trust your instincts that led you to post here for reassurance and get checked out.

 

[BabyMae09]

She's moving now! I drank a bunch of OJ, rang an alarm clock by my belly, and checked her HB again - she always moves away from the doppler - she doesn't like it, which is why I hardly ever use it, but today I have been since I was worried about her. Anyway, she's been moving, not huge movements, but they're there. And she had the hiccups for about 10 minutes

Phew!

I think I'll still try to go in and make them do a test strip though, just for my own reassurance.

 

[TzippityDoulah]

have you been able to take any of the suggestions yet and see if movement increases? please do update and let us know how things go.

likley it is NOTHING to worry about.

but if you feel unsettled don't feel like you can't go to your OB. just go right in if you need to. or go to an ER. if you truly are worried just ignore the annoying questions and ger monitored.

 

[TzippityDoulah]

oh I posted too soon!! haha good!!

sometimes babies sleep more during the day and wake at night. it could be she sleeps while youre awake and does more moving when you're sleeping and don't notice. lately mine does almost all the moving at night. and sinc ei'm 39 weeks the baby is bigger enough that I can't stay asleep. boy am I tired!!

 

[BabyMae09]

I'm going to the ER. Called my DR and they said 'all the appiontments are full today'. Whatever. I'll update later today after the ER visit.

 

[onelilguysmommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyMae09 I don't want to call my OB because they always ask the same stupid stuff (Is there a puddle of water filling your shoe? WTH?).

are you serious? omg!

but yeah, definitely have some sugary things and wait a couple of hours and keep checking her hb and feeling movements. if she doesnt pick up then totally go in and insist on a us if youre comfy with that...at that point, i would be, personally, just to check, like you said.

yes, some slow down but shouldnt be rarely moving slow down. thats not really a good thing to all of a sudden slow a lot.

whoops, didnt refresh before typing after having it up a little while.

again and i hope everything is fine! im glad she perked up some after the juice, i really do hope she was just sleepy from all that growing!

 

[fyrebloom]

YAY! Glad she's OK!

:

 

[TzippityDoulah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyMae09 I'm going to the ER. Called my DR and they said 'all the appiontments are full today'. Whatever. I'll update later today after the ER visit.

ridiculous!!!! after your ER visit I would make a serious complain to your OB!

they should always always be available for emergency walk ins!

but first... take care of yourself and that baby. then worry about the stupid OB

 

[mellowyellowmama]

I agree it could be nothing, but since you are saying you don't feel right about it, then I'd get checked to mama! Let us know what happens.

 

[accountclosed3]

sounds like she's doing well, but i think it's great that you're going to get checked out. good luck with the ER! do update us!

 

[Mama Dragon]

Thank you for updating us...your OB's office sounds lovely, but at least the ER won't turn you away

 

[BabyMae09]

Okay... everything is fine! Baby had flipped so that her back is against my back instead of against my stomach, like it had been for the past few months. So instead of feeling big movements of her butt pressing on my tummy, I was feeling her little feet. So, I was right - something was different, but it wasn't anything bad! Yay

:

 

[mellowyellowmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyMae09 Okay... everything is fine! Baby had flipped so that her back is against my back instead of against my stomach, like it had been for the past few months. So instead of feeling big movements of her butt pressing on my tummy, I was feeling her little feet. So, I was right - something was different, but it wasn't anything bad! Yay :

: Glad everything worked out well mama!

 

[TzippityDoulah]

well that gives you some peace of mind I bet!

glad it all worked out!