Decreased movement/kick counting?

[noodleoo]

I'm almost 37 weeks and a few appts ago, the doctor mentioned kick counting.  I haven't really been doing it regularly because she's been pretty active.  Her feet used to be on the upper right side of my belly and I'd feel them moving around pretty often, usually after I eat.

Well, starting Wed, I haven't really felt her as much.  I was busy at work and went out with a friend for dinner, so I figured i was just distracted and didn't notice.  I tried to pay attention yesterday and I feel a few movements, but they aren't in the same place and they are much lighter/less frequent.  I think she may have moved as her feet don't seem to be in the same place anymore.

This morning I lay on my left side and drank cold water, right after breakfast and again, I felt a few movements but they were different, much lighter and less pronounced.  But I did feel 4-5 in like 15 mins (they said to wait for 10 in an hour I think, but I had to go to work!).

I'm trying not to be worried but I can't tell if I should call the dr or not.  If I do, I know they'll probably want me to come in to be monitored.  I have a ton of stuff to do at work and I don't really want to have to go in.  I'm sure she's fine, but it is making me anxious.  What do you think?  Do I need to call?

[ebeth]

Call. Maybe do something that gets her reliably moving in the meantime and count kicks while you wait for them to call back.

It's normal for them to move less at the end but it sound like this is enough of a departure to make you anxious so call.

[achi]

They way I understand things, at that point it's pretty normal for their movements to be less strong since they're running out of room but I would still call. At the very least it will give you peace of mind.

[starburst604]

I'm sure she's totally fine, but I had a day like that and they wanted to see me. She passed a NST no problem once I got in there so I felt kind of stupid but they reassured me that I should always call if I'm feeling unsure. I still have days where she's a little quieter than usual and then I'll do a kick count, which she always ends up passing. Anywhere you can go in your office to try and sit quietly and count?

[jennistarr1]

Any it me I worried about this, she was fine

[patches31709]

I would call for piece of mind. I believe it was Brie who noticed a decreased kick count, and I believe it was due to low fluid. I'm not sure if they induced or did a c-section, but her baby was born shortly after that.

[Brie]

Apr 24, 2015 10:46:49 GMT -5 patches31709 said:

I would call for piece of mind. I believe it was Brie who noticed a decreased kick count, and I believe it was due to low fluid. I'm not sure if they induced or did a c-section, but her baby was born shortly after that.

Yes, that's right.

My baby was never super active, but around 36 weeks I had to really work to feel movement--cold water, candy, juice, flashlight, stuff like that.  I mentioned it at my 36 week appointment and they sent me for an NST, which was normal.  At my 37 week appointment, there was no improvement in his movement frequency, I failed the NST spectacularly, and was sent for a BPP, which indicated that he basically had no fluid left.  I was immediately induced, but he was in such distress due to low fluid (lots of thick meconium when they broke my water, constant heart decels) I had to have an emergency c-section under general anesthesia.

I don't say this to scare you, but please call your OB.  It is likely my son wouldn't have made it another week in utero.  He is perfectly healthy now, no NICU time at all, but he was better out than in.  It can't hurt anything to get it checked out.

[Muddled]

I think you are absolutely ok. I also think you should call.

[dearprudence]

So the point of kick counting is that you do it during a regular period where you feel movement. Having not done them for the past 10 weeks puts you at a disadvantage, because you're trying to "make movement" or "find movement" at a random time. Is this a time where you normally are able to feel 10 movements in an hour? Or are you just trying to get them at a time the kid is normally quieter?

My doctor is really conservative about this, and Brie's is not the only story I know where lack of movement has meant something bad was going on. So if I fail a kick count, I'm supposed to go straight to triage. She even said "I don't care if you have an appointment the following morning, don't wait."

[dojo]

They have a lot less room to move as the weeks go on so less frequent movement at full term is not uncommon. My OB has indicated 6 movements in 2 hrs as being the marker to reach.

If you would feel more comfortable call your ob and see what they have to say.

[starburst604]

Did you end up going in?

[noodleoo]

I finally called after lunch. I just got in and they are monitoring me. Heartbeat is good so I'm sure she's fine! But I will definitely feel better after checked out. Thx guys!

Of course, now she's kicking!  figures.

[starburst604]

Glad you went in! Same thing happened to me, she kicked the nurse as she was attaching the monitor and then was kicking like she was auditioning to be a Rockette for the rest of the test. Little punk!

[Koala]

I'm glad you went in! Hope the rest of the monitoring goes as well!

[preppy]

Glad you went in, better safe than sorry!! I am so happy it all looks good:)