Question About Pregnancy - Columbiana,OH

It is pretty normal for that baby to be cramped and still. When I was in the last few weeks, my husband enjoyed "playing" with the baby. I would lay on my back and you could see where the baby was by the shape of my belly. Then he would put a bag of frozen veggies on the baby and we would watch it move to the other side. It was a little uncomfortable for me, and I imagine some for the babies, but oh so neat to see and feel.

I honestly think that it's normal for them to tell you this at the end. I had a totally normal, healthy pregnancy and my doctor said this to me also. It made me really nervous, I thought "why are they asking, and telling me to keep an eye on it?" They even said to call them if I notice the baby not moving around a lot. But, after talking to other people, it's something routine that's asked toward the end of pregnancy

I went through this and my kids were all fine. I had movement but not a whole lot in my last few weeks of pregnancy. They may be wanting to see if the baby may have gotten himself or herself wrapped in the umbilical cord. Sometimes babies will end up with the umbilical cord wrapped around their neck. It is something that they do need to watch but I think everything will be fine.
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.

I had to get an US done every other non-stress test (I had them 2x a week starting in January until I had Nick), because they couldn't detect a significant increase in heart rate. Turns out I have a pretty laid back baby - may this be the same case for you and your little one!

I had this same concern. I am now 39 weeks pregnant. The movements the baby makes for me are like the first little "flutter" movements. You almost have to concentrate on them to feel them. It's not like those huge kicks to the rib anymore. My doctor explained that this is a room issue, that there is very little left for the baby to move around. My doc explained that every little "feeling," or roll or flutter is good and that it should be counted as a movement. Don't worry!!

I amsure that everything is okay but if i were you,if you ahve any doubts, go to the doc or hospital insurance covers every visit and I am all about getting the care you need

My second child just didn't move around much. Things are a lot more advanced now with all the testing and Ultra-Sounds they do which can show them potentially what the problems may be.
Is the baby large? Is the heartbeat strong? Have you had any other complications?
Just follow your physicians orders and I would think everything will be all right.
I will be praying for you and the baby.

My 3rd pregnancy was about the same but I had low fluid too. He was born totally fine. He is almost 7 now. He also happens to be a laid back person. But there is also very little room. If you want to see if he will move better you could try to drink or eat something with caffine. This one of the things they had me do even though it did not effect him. He is just not a mellow child. Good Luck

The baby gets all packed in there and it is harder to move, so you will have slower more rolling feelings instead of the more jabbing, kicking, poking movements as you progress. My first pregnancy my daughter was really, really active. My second pregnancy with my son was not as active (so naturally I worried). He was fine, just a bigger baby and a more laid back personality. My doctor had me drink a sugary drink (like OJ) and lay down on my left side and see how long it took for the baby to move. Never failed! Give it a try and see if it doesn't ease your mind a little!

M.,

I have had 4 little ones although my first and second both seemed like a first to me (my two oldest are 10 years apart). The last three did slow down a lot when you get close to the end. The bigger they are the less room they have to move... just let the doctor know if it's normal movements change. Stressing out about it will only hurt the baby... relax and enjoy your "quite" time and get ready for your little one - it will be here soon!

Congratz on one of the best gifts of life!!!

HI M.,
Actually I went threw the same thing back in March. I am also a first time Mom, so congrats! At the end of my pregnancy I was getting stress test every week, and everything was fine until the last two, Both times they had to send me to get ultrasounds at the hospital. At the last Doctor's visit I was 41 weeks and only 1cm dilated. I was still not inducable yet. They did stress test and couldn't get hardly any "peaks". My Doctor sent me to the hospital right away for my to have a what they call semi emergency c-section that evening. Come to find out why the stress test was never coming out accurate, was because the placenta had separated. So as for you knowing how it feels yes, I would be slightly worried, and make sure you really keep up with the movements of the baby. For me especially at the end I would only feel her move 3-4 times a day and not for a long period of time at all. I hope this helps, and never hesitate to be what some people would call overbearing. Good Luck and keep us posted. Thanks, N.

it is normal for the baby to appear to be moving less as time goes on because the baby is losing room to stretch. as the baby grows it becomes a tighter squeeze. i am 4 months postpartum with twins (my first pregnancy), so i know what its like when the room runs out. i also had many appts and ultrasounds toward the end. i know what you're going through. you should notice the baby is more active during certain times of the day. it seems they make a schedule for themselves. if the baby is not active during times you usually feel activity, then call your doc. also, ask your doc what a kick count is. hope this helps.

I agree--you have nothing to worry about. I'm 38 weeks and in the same boat w/baby #2. However, I would be worried about the level of care you're getting from your dr. Remember, you can refuse anything they offer! Drink a lot before your next appt. so they don't say you have "low fluid," which is a highly unreliable test. And try to refuse induction. It leads to further interventions, particularly C-sections for "lack of progress" (well, if they start the process artificially before you're ready, of course it will go slowly...duh!). See Henci Goer's book, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. And use the little time left to hire a doula in your area, as she will be an advocate for you in labor (but can't do anything medical). Best of everything!

Hi M....I went through the same thing, I think with first pregnancies we are all a bit over-anxious...I ended up going to the maternity ward because my mind would not settle until they checked on the baby again...they did some kind of test where they basically do a really loud buzzing noise on your stomach which will jolt the baby like crazy...they told me it was likely that he was just not moving all that much because there was such little space to move. I was worried because he used to jump around and kick like crazy, but it made sense that he just got too big. However, you shouldn't feel stupid if you want to go to a doctor for reassurance, tell them exactly what you wrote here, most ob's are used to first-time worried mamas. Congratulations and I hope everything goes wonderfully for you!

Hi M.,
If I can remember right, with my first pregnancy my baby was pretty active until it was almost time.
With my second, she wasn't very active through out my pregnancy. I was told it could be because of the movements I make. Or not making. I was very active with my first and with my second I wasn't very active at all. But it also could have to do with your foods you eat as well. I ate healthy with both pregnancies, but I had drank soda pop or something with caffine in it and she hardly moved than.
Now with my last pregnancy, I was less active, yet worked hard and she was always active, through out my whole pregnancy, but also I was drinking alot of smoothies too. Talk with your doctor about your concerns, even if they sound stupid. Good Luck!

I did not go that long during my pregnancy b/c little miss was an eager beaver had to come early. She came @ 36 wks after being on bedrest for 2 mths. I did notice that she moved less & the only thing I could think of was that since the baby is bigger & taking up more space then there's less space to move around. My Dr. said the same thing, if she didn't move @ all then I should panic. I am sure you will b fine & congrats. I knwo it's a blessing b/c I just had my first 8 mos ago. I will keep you in my prayers.

hey M.

congrats, but yes it is normal for a baby to move less at the end they have les room to move may baby was a kicker from 4 months to close till the end and i thought something was wrong as well all u have to do so u wont be worried is eat ice and they baby well start moving a lil or try to move that shoule put you at eases do it twice a day or how maney times u fell u need to good luck and congrats again

The baby is running out of space! that little blessing had a ton of room early in the pregnancy so it was doing flips, cartwheels and everything else! Try not to worry too much...it puts a strain on you emotionally and physically. I know it's hard at the end especially with your first.....try to enjoy it! Take it easy, treat yourself to a pedicure!

M.,

I definitely noticed a decrease in movement towards the end of my pregnancy. The baby is a bit cramped, and has less room to move now. That said, I would ask my midwife or physician when you should start to become worried if you have not felt any movement for a while. My midwife gave me fairly specific instructions, and some ways to get the baby moving. Eat protein, lie on your side and see if you can detect movement, etc. My poor baby....sometimes I would get so worried I just poked at him until he moved!
I hope this has helped. Enjoy every moment with your little one. They grow up too fast!!

Congrats, M.! I agree that as Baby runs out of room to stretch, roll and kick, there is less movement. This was esp evident for me w/ my twins...Baby B, who I always knew was my boy, was and still is very very active (he'd be head down, feet down and even transverse at times.) However his sister was down very very low, head down, and I hardly felt her move. I'd give her a nudge, and she'd give me a tiny wiggle. And as a baby she was very relaxed. 3yrs later, though, she's under the influence of her silly brother!

But you should try to detect tiny movements now and then, drink something sugary if your diet allows to wake Baby up.

Blessings,
K., Ohio

It's totally normal. The further along you get the bigger he gets and the less room he has to move around. As long as the doc is checking everything every week I wouldn't worry!

One way to check fetal movement is to drink a glass of cold water and lay on your side (left, I believe) and count the movemtnts for 30 minutes. If you can count 6 movements, your baby should be fine.

I am a doula and studying to become certified to teach childbirth education, so if you have any other questions (perhaps ones you don't necessarily feel comfortable asking here), please feel free to contact me.

I can also help you find a doula if you are interested. There are many that are willing to offer free services (including myself).

God bless,
A.

M.! Congratulations on the pregnancy!!! If you're 37 weeks, you are just about ready to pop. Your baby is nice & big and taking up ALL the room. Your baby is folded into positions that I couldn't even dream of getting myself into. Once they are that big and taking up that much room, they really just don't have the room to move. Not as much play-room, if you will. Now, all the non-stress tests they do is to make sure there isn't a problem (baby's heard decreasing or elevating too much or the baby isn't moving enough). If your baby isn't moving enough for them on a non-stress test, it is normal to send you to ultrasound, so they can SEE that your baby is, in fact, moving OK. I would not worry. I had to do the same thing. Enjoy the final weeks of your pregnancy (as much as you can with swollen ankles & a belly so big you can't touch your own belly button)! Take care

Yes, it is normal for the baby to move less at it runs out of space. You should still be able to notice at least 10 movements in an hour. Lay down at least once a day until you notice 10 movements. If you don't, try eating something or drink a glass of cold water, and try again. Do it during a time of the day when the baby is usually active.

I don't know why your doctor feels the need to do a stress test every visit, unless you have risk factors. Most doctors don't do that. Also, you are just asking to be induced early, which you really do not want! The c-section rate is way up, especially for first time moms, and a big cause is a failed induction or a baby that doesn't tolerate it well.

Good luck!

It's normal for them to not move as much due to the fact that there's so little space now. As long as you are feeling SOME movement, then baby should be okay. If you go a long period of time without any movement, call your dr. ASAP.

Hi M.,I agree with the majority of responses you have gotten - this is normal as the baby is "outgrowing his house" as one mom said :-D You might have a dr who is a little inexperienced or just test happy...some would say better safe than sorry - but it just makes the moms a little uneasy with more worry. I'll be thinking/praying for you! This is a special time for you ... I LOVED my labor experience!
Blessings!
D.

The baby is so cramped in there he/she doesn't have much room to move. My first baby didn't move a lot the last weeks of pregnancy, just a few really huge movements throughout the day. My second baby moved a lot during the last weeks. Every pregnancy is different. But you should feel the baby kick and do as the doctor says and monitor the movements. You're almost done!

Something sugary should definately wake your little one up. Just be carefull with how much you take in or you could end up being sore for the next 3 days. I didn't realize the effects of sugar with my first pregnancy and was SO sore for three days after having a whole Steak n' Shake milkshake... Then having the glucose test later on didn't help either. At least I was prepared for my daughter's reaction that time.

M.,

I was also given stress tests for every appointment beginning around 30 weeks (I think).
If you can afford it, you might want to consider renting a heartrate monitor. I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow one from a friend. That helped A LOT to ease my mind.

Julia

With all 4 of my girls I noticed a lot less movement. I would drink a TALL glass of OJ and then lay down and wait and see when the baby would start moving. A lot of times, even up until I delivered there would be difficulty finding the heart beat, so much so they would pull out the ultrasound machine to make sure everything was okay. AND I don't have small babies! I know it's hard to try not to stress too much about it. Those nevers may also be interfering with feeling the movement!
Goodluck!

HI,
every pregnancy is different so no one could say for sure why you are feeling this way. I was a little on edge my third pregnancy b/cI felt the baby move much later and a lot less than I had the other two.
My third is now almost a year and happy and healthy. I did end up having a very strange placenta (rare) issue.
This I think was causing me maybe not to feel the baby move so much - or maybe he just didn't move so much. He is a slower ( happy) guy than the others were.
So you need to really pray or meditate (whatever you do) and reach deep inside and ask yourself if everything is alright and you will know in your heart of hearts.
You could ask for a color ultrasound to have the placenta fully inspected and rule out any problem there.

I am sure all is fine and he is just relaxing and growing in there happy as can be : )

Good luck - being a mom is tiring but soooooo much fun : )

C.

As the baby grows he or she has less room to move. My daughter has gone through 2 pregnancies feeling little movement . She has given me 2 healthy grandchildren. Follow the advice of your doctor. Pregnancies differ from woman to woman. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Definitely pay attention, but it's only natural that the baby is moving a whole lot less right now. The poor thing hardly has any room left to move!! My doc warned me that at the end to make sure I felt him move at least 10 times a day. He was outgrowing his little house! I just had my first baby in October and I was scared to death. I hardly remember the delivery or anything now. Your pregnancy is almost over, so enjoy this time! It's the most amazing and beautiful thing you'll ever do with your life and once it's over, believe it or not, you'll wish it back. Good luck!

I had to have non stress tests every week for most of my pregnancy. I was leaking fluid at first and then they said the baby wasn't moving enough. I ended up going into labor at 36 weeks. I was leaking fluid again and didn't realize it. Trust your instincts. I wasn't worried and I knew my baby would be fine and she was. She just came a little early. If you feel like there is something wrong then let your doctor know. If you feel even a little trickle of fluid let your doctor know because that is what I felt and thought it had stopped. After my daughter was born they asked when my water had broken and I had no idea. Good luck! and congratulations.

they definitely slow down towards the end-- they get too big and it's crowded in there!! there's just nowhere to go... as long as you feel movement at least once a day your baby should be fine.