One of the greatest things about pregnancy is feeling your baby kick and watching your belly move. When I was pregnant with Abi she would kick throughout the day but I never experienced the alien like belly movements! Isabel was a very different story and she had set routine of movements from 20 weeks and from 24 you could see her moving around my belly. I had a few days throughout my pregnancy where her routine of movements would change and I would be in a panic until I felt her move again. I would try everything- a nice cold glass of squash, a sugary cup of tea and laying on my side and giving her a good poke. They always worked and got her moving and I never had to worry about calling up and asking to be monitored to often. The couple of times I did though, as soon as I was hooked up to the monitor you could guarantee she would start having a party in there and I would feel a bit silly for wasting their time. But the midwifes at Salisbury were incredible and never made me feel stupid or like a time waster. When I was 37 weeks and Isabel's movements started to really change, One lovely lady actually explained that you should never ever wait to see if they start moving and if you feel their movements have changed, be that they completely stop or they slow down, you should always go in to be checked straight away. As the Mumma carrying the baby you know best. That really reassured me and I'm sure if she hadn't said that I would probably of had a very different last week of pregnancy. If you've read my birth story of Isabel, you'll know that when I was 38 weeks and 4 days Isabel stopped moving. I actually have a video of her last ever movements and I do have a little internal cry when I watch it. We spent a week in and out of hospital before the decision was finally made to induce me. At first, even though I couldn't feel her moving, the monitors could still pick up some movements but by the end of the week she had completely stopped. It's a really scary and horrible feeling when you're constantly in fear that something is wrong. Despite being monitored an hour every day the week leading up to her arrival as soon as I was taken off the machine I would feel terrified and literally count down the minutes until the next day when I'd hear her heartbeat again. You should be able to feel your baby move right up until they are born and with Abi I was feeling her move while I was in the throws of labour. It's a pretty common misconception that as you approach babies arrival your babies movements should reduce if not completely stop but that's not true at all. Tommys has a campaign about the importance of foetal movements and it really helped me to feel at ease and understand the importance of taking note of what's normal for your baby. Every baby is different, just like every pregnancy so never compare! I would really reccomend heading over to the tommys website and checking out there campaign video if you're an expectant Mumma... https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/symptom-checker/baby-moving-less/movements-matter We were lucky and fortunately Isabel was born healthy and happy- admittedly with a poorly foot which they do suspect is one of the reasons she may of stopped moving as her foot was stuck in my rib. (That also explained why for the last week of my pregnancy I was in some serious discomfort in the rib area) I often ask myself what if I had ignored my concerns in fear of wasting the hospitals time? It could of been a completely different story and that does scare me. Remember that you know your body, and unborn baby best. If you feel movements have changed, be it stopped, slowed down or even increased always call to seek professional advice. And never think to yourself 'I'll just wait till morning'. So much can change in a very short space of time when it comes to pregnancy and you should never take the risk. Expecting a baby is one of the most worrying times for a women, albeit the happiest. Which I think is why sometimes we don't like to worry other people in fear of wasting their time of even confirming your own fears. Always listen to your heart and head and always get checked out if you're concerned. If it hadn't been for the caring and calm nature of the wonderful midwives at Salisbury hospital we probably wouldn't have this little pickle as happy and healthy as she is... Trust your mumstincts!
Jess X
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