VERY Anxious About Not Feeling the Baby Move....

I'm on my third pregnancy and I didn't really start feeling the baby move until after 20 weeks. I thought it was a little weird that it took so long, but now at 32 weeks he moves like crazy and everything's been fine the entire pregnancy. If the heartbeat's strong, I wouldn't be too concerned about not feeling movement.

I only have two, but i noticed I couldn't feel the second as much as i did the first one. When I asked my Dr. she said It's because I'm too busy with the first one to pay attention to the movements. Hope this relieves some anxiety.

I had a similar experience with my third pregnancy. My first pregnancy I felt the baby at 19 weeks. Then I got pregnant with my son and I felt him at 12. He was soo different compared to my first. He was much more active and his kicks were much stronger. I just assumed that my third pregnancy would be even more intense... that was my pattern anyway. I did feel the baby in the 11th week, but I rarely felt her between then and into the 20th weeks. Even after that she was quiet inside much of the time. I worried and worried and was glued to my doppler. Honestly I think it just really depends on the baby. Some babies are more active then others.

you are not the only one, i was pregnant this time last year, about 21 weeks and that is the first time that i felt him move. i was concerened as well because he was my 3rd, with my first 2 i felt them around 17 weeks, so i was beginning to panic, because i was huge by this point and didnt feel pregnant due to not feeling any fetal movement. my doctor assured me that this happens to alot of 3rd time mothers due to them being too busy and having more fatty tissue. so stay relaxed and i am sure your little one will begin to move in no time.

Hi S., My third one scared me all the time. It seemed like she never moved! But all the ultra sounds were good, they could always get her heartbeat, and she was and always has been the healthiest of my three girls over all. Best Wishes.

Hi S.,
I am currently pregnant with my second child now--almost done at 38 weeks :) I didn't feel any movement until about 20+ weeks and was a bit worried too. My doctor said that the placenta was anterior for this baby (in the front) and movement is more difficult to feel and that is normal. I would try to hang in there until you have your ultrasound and it's a good sign that the Doppler says the heartbeat is okay--take care and best of luck!

I wouldn't worry about that... your first two pregnancies may have been felt earlier, but every pregnancy can be so different even with the same woman. i've met women that didnt feel the kicks until after 20 weeks. i've heard people say you feel them easier if you are skinnier, but i dont believe that entirely. i am very skinny and i did feel my baby's first kick at about 15 and a half weeks... 3 very strong and distinguishable kicks was the very first thing i could feel from her (i may have felt quickening before that but i am not sure, i could not say if it was or not) but i knew girls who would swear they felt quickening as early as 10 or 11 weeks, and girls that did not feel anything until 22 or 23 weeks (of all body structures) it is normally said that your 2nd and so forth pregnancies, you feel the quickening more because you know what it feels like already and are looking for it, but that is not always true either. i've come to realize that when my daughter has her back facing my stomache, i dont feel hardly any... if any at all, kicks. if she is facing my stomache i feel kicks galore (noted from various ultrasounds and exams) also if the placenta is between the baby and your tummy, it cushions the kicks and you may not feel them.

just dont worry :) it's not uncommon for that to happen and it doesnt matter that you had babies before, this one just has his/her own personality :)

on the medications note... sometimes they do make the baby a little more sleepy. its not a bad thing necessarily, just a small side effect. i had a bit of a complication that put me in the er 2 weeks ago and was put on some pretty strong meds that my ob said wouldnt hurt the baby (i've gotta good dr.) but all the while i was on them she kicked a lot less, turns out they just made her more drowsy (not surprisingly they did the same to me... so a little body feeding off mine, it'd make sense for her to loose energy if i do for meds) but she's fine, really healthy, growing fast... and now that i'm done the meds she is back to her extremely (umm.. EXTREMELY) hyper self. lol, im growing a gymnist in my tummy.

so the meds could be making her sleep a bit more, but it's not bad either if she's growing well :)

I'm now 28 weeks, and didn't feel much movement at all until a couple of weeks ago. Even now, it's not as much as I felt with the first AT ALL. The second was much less than the first, but still more than this one. My doctor said it is normal to feel less for later babies, especially with a sibling within 2 years (my son is less than 2, like your daughter). Stretched uterus I guess..The heartbeat is the best guide. Everything is fine, I know it!

My Ob would tell me to drink an ice cold glass of something and wait a few minutes. This was usually never fail and they would move. If you are worried they can send you in the office for a non stress test. That would usually ease my mind, they don't let you leave untill they/you feel movement.

I know that taking the medicines are scary. It is better to be safe and get checked. If i want to have another child i will have to stay on some nasty meds...it is not a nice thing to have to worry about as a mom. I wish you luck.

Hey S.

Only a few things that I can think of from my experiences. I didn't feel my third as much as my first and second early on. But the biggest is that my second and third pregnancies were close together and I still had way more stretch in my middle than I was happy about, that left more room for the baby until he got really big. Take a deep breath and try to be reassured by his heartbeat. I'll say a prayer for the well being of your newest baby.

I think its very normal to worry about this, but if your doctor wasn't concerned, then I'd try to relax. It could be simply that the baby is kicking more toward your bladder area, which can be confused with the sensation of needing to pee instead of the feelings of baby kicking. It could also be that this child will be less active overall. My first and third pregnancies, the baby moved alot, but my second pregnancy, she didn't. Then once in a while(when she into the 7th month or so), she'd wollop me so hard it would make me have to catch my breathe or if she was pointed down, make me pee a little. She was perfect in every way, yet, she is my quietest, calmest, and most compliant of my children. Don't know if one has to do with the other, but that is how it turned out.

Its hard to wait, but my experience has been, that when the doc isn't taking action, then there usually isn't anything to worry about.

L.

See if you can get your appointment moved up. Just tell her your really worried about it and you'd feel better with an earlier appointment.
I can't remember when I started feeling my kids moving but I do remember my son wasn't a mover. I'd feel him kick occasionally but he was pretty much lazy.
Couple of things that got his butt moving-peanut butter and some kind of caffinated drink. I know caffine is a big no no but in moderation it'll be fine.

It could be where your placenta is laying. With my third pregnancy I barely felt her move. It was sooo different from my second pregnancy where I felt my son moving constantly. It turns out my placenta was on the top of my uterus. Basically on the top of my belly so it made feeling the baby move very difficult. It also could just be the baby's personality. Maybe your baby is "lazy" and just not moving all that much yet. Try to relax a bit. Every pregnancy really is different! Good Luck!

I don't want to alarm you, but rather encourage you to listen to your internal feelings. If you know or feel that something isn't right, pursue it. Don't let a doctor shrug you off.
My best freind couldn't feel her second child, didn't want to be a bother to the doctors, let them shrug her off as "low risk" and she ended up loosing the baby. So please, go with your gut and ask the questions, get the tests and don't rest until you are satisfied that the baby is ok. Your intuition is far more valuable than a doctors rushed opinion.
Let us know how it goes :) Also low or little movement could be an indicator of many possible issues. So, it's important to get yourself to a doctor that will listen to you. Oh, and TEN weeks is far to much time to sit and wait on this issue.

My guess is that your placenta placement is a bit more to the front. That would explain the not as strong movements. Plus, you might have won the jack pot and have a super mellow baby :)

S.,
I am 28 weeks on my second pregnancy. Everyone said, oh you'll feel the baby a lot sooner with this one. Well, the quickening came quite early but I honestly did not feel a good kick until after my 18 week ultrasound. Now, he won't stop kicking me. I was very worried at first also but my doc said everything was fine. If you hear the hearbeat and it is a good strong beat then not to worry.
I wouldn't worry because that may cause more problems in the long run.
Also, the meds you are on may be causing your baby to be a little more "laid back" than your last two. Since the benifits of the meds out weigh the risks I would not worry that you are hurting your child in any way.
Everything will work out just fine and good luck with the ultrasound.

I am on my fifth pregnancy and about as far along as you. I have experienced the same thing but I'm not worried becuase I have learned that after the third one you don't feel it as much becuase you are busier. You are taking care of two other children. I imagine you are running your teenager around everywhere and then chasing a toddler.

There were times with my fourth that I would realize I hadn't felt the baby move all day and I was 8 months pregnant. I got really panicky and sat down, drank some juice and waited. Sure enough I felt lots of movement. I then realized it was the first time I'd sat down all day.

If your doctor knows you are on medication she will keep an eye on you, especially as your pregnancy progresses.

Hi S.,

What kind of medication are you on?

Just want to know. D.

Hi S.,

I haven't read other responses, but I wanted to throw something out there.

I have heard that if your placenta in attached in a certain area (maybe in the front, toward your stomach), it can block you from feeling movement and kicking, as it acts as a cushion. Maybe with theis pregnancy, your placenta is somewhere that causes you to feel less movement.

I'm sure everything is fine, especially because you have heard the heartbeat on the doppler. You are probably just worried because of the meds, and not feeling much movement yet is adding to the anxiety.

Feeling fetal movement can depend on the position of your placenta. If the placenta is in the 'front' of your belly, you may not feel as much movement. Perfectly normal and won't hurt the baby a bit. Try not to worry too much if the Doppler says the baby is fine. It is still very early and you will probably be feeling more movement in the weeks and months to come. Best of luck!

I would n't worry about it. It is still very early, and depending on the size and position of the baby, you just may not be feeling much yet. The position of the placenta could be blocking them too. Also, with the first one, you don't have much to do but pay attention to the kicks-- when you are running around after a little one at home, you are more distracted. So the baby may be kicking more than you think, and you just aren't noticing it.

If you've got the doppler and baby has a heartbeat, I wouldn't worry. Look at it this way-- there's nothing you can do about it anyway, and worry is bad for you and the baby. No reason to think that everything isn't just fine-- every pregnancy is different.

.

Find another doctor. Seriously.

When I was pregnant, I could call my doctor's office about ANYTHING (and I did). Their theory was that is was better for baby and me to go in and get checked for nothing than to incur the risks of the stress. They were so unbelievably nice and were emphatic that I call anytime.

If your doctor can't understand your fears and be more proactive in relieving them, I'd look elsewhere. I'd be happy to recommend someone if you decide you are interested.

BTW - you really shouldn't use a dopplar too much - it's why they are prescription only.

HTH,

Kali

I had that happen to me with my first but it was toward the end of the pregnancy. It was very hard not to get worried when I didn't feel any movement for days. Possibly the baby moves while you sleep? Or maybe you just have a baby that isn't as active as the others. Try not to worry, it won't help. Depending on the side effects of the drug maybe it is making the fetus less active? I hope it all works out. Try not to worry though, the stress won't be good for you. Easier said than done, I know.

I have to agree with Judy in wondering why your doctor is not scheduling an 18-20 week ultrasound. It was my understanding from my pregnancies and those of my friends that the main ultrasound is in that time frame that you are almost at and any other ones, either earlier or later, are due to issues they need to keep an eye on. I would definately talk to the doctor and get you concerns met with cause if the doctor is not listening to you and your concerns how can you feel comfortable with the doctor. Good luck and I hope everything is ok.

Go to labor and delivery at your local hospital and ask them to check you. It is very early though.

S.,
No specific personal "movement" expertise or experiences to offer you. Just wanted to tell you to relax. You're hearing the baby's heartbeat--seems to me that all is surely well. You'll be getting the kicks in the ribs soon enough, girlfriend! Will pray for your peace of mind and a nice, perfect & HEALTHY baby!

Hi S.,

As long as your Dr is getting a heartbeat and everything else seems fine, I wouldn't worry. I didn't feel my son move until about 21 weeks. I think it is different with every pregnancy and this baby may just not be as mobile. You will feel it soon enough. In the meantime, go to your Dr for a checkup to see the heartbeat and ask for an earlier ultrasound.

Did you have your 18 week ultrasound? That is the typical time for a first ultrasound. If you are 17 weeks now, then your Dr should be scheduling one sooner than 27 weeks. I would ask for one and tell her you are worried. I'm sure she will write you a script for one. And if not, then you may want to look for a new Dr. I wouldn't stay with a Dr who wasn't receptive to my concerns.

Congrats on your pregnancy! I am so happy for you!

J.

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