[emzylou]

Just putting it out there to see if anyone else had had this issue; Over the last two weeks ive had severe endema and extreme reduction in movement from baby i have been to the hospital five times in the last week and a half for ctg and scans at first they were worried about size but the scan said she was olay dont have much faith in this since then they just do a ctg say her heartbeat is good and send me home? Should i be asking more questions?

[anna_garny]

I've been told that over the last few weeks there's usually a reduction in movements simply because there's not enough space to wriggle around as much anymore.

Can you ask them if there are certain things you should be on the lookout for? I've been told as long as you feel about 10-20 movements per day that's perfectly fine, but a lot of babies once their heads are engaged will only shift sporadically, again, because there's just no space to squirm around!

[elizabethany]

At 37 weeks there just isn't that much space for baby to move in, so movements often reduce. Generally they don't get worried unless they stop completely. So long as they are checking HB and BP, I personally wouldn't be too worried.

[Rosiebubs]

If I were you, I'd be asking more questions. At the end of pregnancy your movements change from kicks and punches to wriggling and shuffling, but nothing 'extreme'. I'm pretty risk averse, but I'd be asking whether they can scan the placenta, and risk of meconium in the water etc.
Good luck!

[emzylou]

Thanks for the help ladies i knew that it would slow down but even giving her a little poke lying on my left side or cold water wasnt working?
On the ctgs it was about 6 movements in 2 hours and they were happy with that... I see the dr again on tuesday so far its every second day for "close monitoring" but nothing else. So i will just have to see what she says, are they always in such a rush to get you out or is that just my dr?

[doctorseuss]

Lie down, relax and count the movements for 30 minutes. If there are none, go to hospital. You shouldn't feel pushed out the door. No harm in getting checked out.

[Cacti]

If you're worried, go back, sit yourself down and tell them you're not going home until you're reassured that bubs is okay.

[emzylou]

Thanks again for the help!
Yea they always seem to make me feel like a nuisance but their the ones who tell me to come back... They have said they were going to induceme 3 times then changed their minds... They are still looking into the edema though showing all signs of pre enclampsa but high blood pressure and protein my feet get so swelled up my lower legs looked like thry are bruised and i cant walk properly..
Still no amswers for this though? How acurate are the scans they do for weight? Im 37 + 5 but measuring at 33? They said she was about 6pd 5 ounces which lookong at my belly i fibd hard to beleive considering uve only put in 6-7kgs?
Sorry so long winded so many questions and no answers from the doctors!

[HurryUpAlready]

I would want someone (who knows what they are looking for!) to have a very good look at the cord and placenta to check the blood flow, as well as babies heartbeat and movements.

I was told that babies do not move less at the end of a pregnancy, just that the movements will feel different due to the cramped conditions in there.

Trust your gut OP, even if you have to go to a specialist for a really good scan.

Babies can die at this point due to failure of the placenta, so you want them to keep a close eye on it.

ETA: scans for size can be way out OP. My last scan 2 days before my DD was born estimated her at about 4kg. She was 3kg. I only gained 3kg during my pregnancy (I ended up 8kg lighter after giving birth) so your weight gain isn't really much of an indicator of bubs size).



This post has been edited by HurryUpAlready: 17/02/2013, 09:02 PM

[madammuck]

Hi OP,

Scans estimating size can be incredibly inaccurate, they're generally off by about 500grams (plus or minus) but with my last baby they were out by about 1kg... that's pretty inaccurate! Try not to worry too much about size or weight gain, it sounds like your carers aren't overly concerned - and trust me - they would be if your baby was small enough to cause concern.


That said, as PPs have mentioned, if your gut tells you something is not right, then go in and tell your careres you are feeling incredibly anxious and need answers. Maybe try writing a list of questions you need answers for, that way you're not leaving wityh more questions - do you need to know more about your edema? Are they concerned about baby's size? If not, why not? Can they tell you where your placenta is lying as this may effect the amount of movements you can actually feel.

Perhaps also take someone with you to your next visit, so that they can continue to reassure you after you've left.


I hope it all goes well for you.