Fetal Movement at 25 Weeks

Hi M.,

I wouldn't worry too much about the decrease in action! Many factors contribute to how much movement you see or feel from the individual child to the placement of the placenta. A anterior or forward placenta can decrease sensation, while a posterior placenta can allow you to visually see more movement.

Generally, babies are more active shortly after you have a meal because of the increase in blood sugar. Also you are more aware of the movement when you are still.

Just in case, be sure to voice your concerns to your OB/GYN.

J. L.

I rarely felt anything from my baby girl for a long time, and usually only at night when I laid down in bed. I wouldn't worry about it. I know towards the end the movements became more regular (running out of room I guess), and they would happen throughout the day.

I've heard that a lot of babies are active in utero when the mom is still, and less active when the mom is moving - something about actually being rocked to sleep! That's one reason it's hard to sleep - you're still and the expected baby is moving! Now that you have a child you are probably chasing around a lot, you're probably moving a lot more! (That's also why a lot of moms are more tired during pregnancy #2 - less time to put their feet up). Also, every child is different. Try what the other mom suggested - really relaxing in a quiet room for a while.

In any case, you are still feeling movement, so that's great! You can always go in to the doctor's office even to have the nurse let you listen to the heartbeat. You'll be having appointments a lot more often now anyway so you will be getting a lot of chances to check.

Good luck!

Please don't worry! My son was far more active than his two older sisters, prenatally, as a baby, and at every stage since! If your doctor isn't worried, just enjoy your quiet child while you can...

We just had our 2nd child- a beautiful and healthy baby girl. That said, she did not move much at times in the womb. There would be days when I swore she didn't move at all and I was totally panicked and ready to go to the Docs and then she would move a bit for a day. I too remember thinking, especially around 25 weeks or so that I should have been feeling her more, but I think she was just a less active baby and to this day (she is 8 weeks now) she sleeps a lot more than our first daughter did at that age (which is helpful for me w/ two little ones around!) There was actually a day when I was so freaked out that I did go in and they hooked me up to the doppler- and the woman running the doppler was actually surprised, after I drank an entire bottle of juice and sat still for 1/2 an hour that she was moving as little as she was- but in the end, there was movement and they told me sometimes they are just small movement but they still count!

As hard as it is, try to be peaceful about it. Your Doc will likely be happy to hook you up to check it out if you are really worried and then you just have to trust them!

Part of it may be also that since you are so busy running around with a toddler now that you just don't notice it as much when she does move. If you are really concerned go in to see your ob. See if you can find an hour to yourself where you can just relax and focus on yourself. See if you notice a little while after eating a meal. I'm sure everything is ok so try not to worry.

Good luck and congrats on #2!

Oh my, the things we fret about !!! As if we did not have enough on our plates already.
I carried seven babies to term ( more or less, some were late, some were early)
They all were different in the womb. One ran circles in there..one would brace his feet on my ribs and push...( he was long baby , 23 1/2 inches and I am only 5'3") one got hiccups every single night as soon as I lay down to sleep, some were so quiet I would push them around to make sure they would move.
They are simply very different. They can seem to reflect their nature. There are quiet placid children, and there are cocicky babies, hyper active ones...ect ect and we , the mothers, feel this in the womb. A quiet womb baby is a good thing. Your little girl should be a sweet, quiet baby, a joy to your family.
If your checkups are good, baby gaining weight, you not gaining weight LOL...heart sounds are good, dont worry yourself honey.
I am sure everything is fine and your baby is too.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell

I felt every little movement w/ first but hardly felt anything w/ my second but the second time around I was working 40+ hrs at job that you are always on your feet moving and when not working I was chasing around my 5 yr old if you have any concerns be sure to check w/ your ob but I think a lot would have to do w/ you chasing around your little guy and the position of the baby and where your placenta is. So my advice is call your ob and try not to worry too much.

I would say see your doc to be sure, but I'm sure everything is fine. If you have a front laying placenta or a breech positioned baby, you wont feel the movement as much. I was just watching a show about women who didn't know they were pregnant and that is always the first comment..." i didn't feel kicking.." Some babies are just more active than others too.

Do you know the placement of your placenta? I had an anterior one ( it was in the front between my belly and the baby) which buffered feeling a lot of movement. That could be the case for you. Or you just may have a laid back baby :)! Talk to your ob-gyn but I think it's normal.

With a 2 year old running around it may be difficult to do this, but if you can, lay down for an hour or so and concentrate on feeling the movements. Drink something cold beforehand to wake her up. Im sure everything is fine.

I had this problem too and was told it was because of where my placenta was located. It sort of acted like a pillow between me and the baby. You may want to ask the doctor if they know what the position of your placenta is.

B. O

I am 22 weeks pregnant with my 3rd daughter right now.
I noticed with this pregnancy that I seemed to feel fetal movement much later and less often than with the first two.
I honestly think it's because I am so busy with my girls that I just don't have the time to relax and sit still long enough to notice those light early movements!
I started to worry and began to make a concerted effort to sit still and quiet for a few moments throughout the day and really concentrate. Sure enough- I started to be able to better tune in and now I notice the movements a lot more.
-S.

Hi M.,

All pregnancies are different and she may just not be a mover. But peace of mind is important so if it is driving you crazy tell your doctor that you did a kick test and you are not feeling her as much as you should.

They will probably have you come in for a no stress test. It is painless and easy (just time consuming) because you will just sit there and they will monitor if the baby is moving enough. There is a point where it is a little too early for accurate results and I forget where 25 weeks falls but as the pregnancy progresses you can ask for one.

Good Luck

I was told that placental placement has a lot to do with whether you feel movement early or not. I had an ultrasound with baby #4 due in August a few weeks ago and the technician said because of where my placenta was I would feel more movement. With my son(#3) I was so worried because he didn't move around much at all that my husband rented a fetal doppler that we could check on baby's heartrate. If you are really concerned talk to your ob and maybe they can get you in just to ease your mind. Good luck and congrats on #2.

I had my girl first. She barely moved. It was only once a day when I would finally lay down that I felt a little movement. I didn't know any better. I didn't know how often babies were supposed to move. I told my doctors when they asked how often she moved, but htey never seemed worried since all her tests came back normal. Then, I got pregnant with my son. That kids jumped around all the time!!! i think this is just one othe many differences you will find about boys and girls. let you doctors know your concerens, but your are most likely fine. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Hi M., not to worry. I have six children and not one of my pregnancies with them were alike! -as people are so very different! I can remember one of mine hardly moving, that when she did, I'd say..."There you are!"
Congrats on your little blessings! D.-
____@____.com

I didn't feel my daughter move very much in utero and my OB gave me a strategy that allowed me to feel her movements and made me feel better. My OB noted that even the less active babies do move, but the movements may be more subtle and thus hard to detect if you're busy or distracted.

She recommended I lay down on my side in a dark and quiet bedroom, try to forget the worries of the day, be silent and relax. Pay close attention to your abdomen and (with most distractions and stimulus removed), you'll likely feel many movements over the course of a half hour.

Of course, if you're worried, mention your concerns to your practitioner.

Best,

D.

My son and first pregnancy was also VERY active once I first felt him. He would really hurt me too in his activity, whatever he was doing.
My second pregnancy was a girl as well and completely different. I hear everyone say every pregnancy is different and every child is different.
Yet, if you are worried I would call the DR's and let them know what's going on. Once I spotted a little with my daughter and they brought me right in and did an ultra sound. After checking that she was fine the DR told me she never was worried because it can be normal but the ultra sound was more for me to be reassured. She told me a nervous or worried Mama isn't the healthiest for the baby. So you never know, you may get the added benefit of seeing her again. Who would refuse that?
Best of luck.

M.,

There are a lot of reason why you may not feel this baby as much as you felt your son. One is that she may be less active. Another could be where the placenta is located. One of my friends didn't feel the baby much at all throughout the whole pregnancy because the placenta was right in front. If you are concerned talk to your OB so you don't worry.

Good luck,
L. M