Movement and Heart Rate

Let your doctors worry about the baby. It is their job. Your job is to stay calm and take care of yourself and your 17 month old. Stress is not good for any of you. I wanted to share with you my experience with the tributeline. I went in too labor several times with my first that I had to go in a get a shot and same thing as soon as it wore off it would start again. It was awful. With my second they knew this situation was normal for me and put me on an oral medication as soon as the contractions started and I had to take that every two hours for the rest of my pregnancy. Sometimes when they give you medication it can affect the baby. They have to monitor them to make sure they are ok. I am sure that when they gave you the shot the babys responce was a lowered heart rate. If it was too low they would have done something about it. Just be sure to ask your ob at your next visit about it and see where it is under normal circumstances. Good luck with your delivery and healthy baby:)

A way to check fetal movement at home is to drink orange juice (high in sugar) and then lie down on your side (supposedly left side is best) and count movement - any movement. You are supposed to feel 10 (I think) in an hour. I usually felt it in about 15 minutes though. If you notice fetal movement decreasing, go in. Our Labor and Delivery department always stressed that it was no big deal to go in and get checked out if you thought you were having problems.

Just an FYI, my friends triplets were born at 32 weeks and are doing fabulous at 4 years old. They were only in the NICU for about 4 weeks.

Also, ASK FOR HELP from family and friends!!!!!

S.-
With both my boys (5-yo & 10-mos old) I had gestational diabetes & preeclampsia. I had many NSTs and U/Ss. My docs were concerned about heart rates decreasing due to stress. My first felt like a fish inside me from early on so I was concerned when it took forever before I could feel my 2nd moving around. Probably 2 mos after the docs started asking me if I could feel anything. That fact did not bother them. Plus, it seemed like he never moved around. At every NST & u/s his heart rate was good and he would move - according to the tape - every so often even tho I could not feel it. In addition, I was having low contractions from my 6th month on. They never progressed to your point but he was delivered at 36 weeks due to my pre-eclampsia.
If you have questions or concerns be sure to ask your docs. That is their job. Dig until you get a satisfactory answer. And then, sit back and try to relax. After having home & hospital bed rest with both pregnancies I can tell you for sure that being at home is much better. :-) Although haing someone else cook was kinda nice.....
Hope this helps reassure you a little -
J.

I am sorry to hear you are dealing wiht this!! As for someone who had complications at the beginning of pregnancy-if you feel your doctor is not giving your concerns real attention- I would address again and then get another opinion, switch doctors. This is too important to be blown off.

Good luck!

S.,

I'm sure you are feeling pretty stressed - and that's not good anytime. I agree with each of the posts, having been through multiple losses - and having had a very understanding, compassionate ob/gyn by our side. Absolutely YOU have the right to march into their office every single time you are uncomfortable. I don't know your insurance situation, but I had scheduled NST's at the latter end of my last two pregnancies and they'd chuckle after finding hearttones, etc and tell me things looked great, didn't I feel better? But I couldn't feel movement as strong - which scared the daylights out of me, so I'd leave with a few tears dropping and come back in two days. I can't even count the number of times I would phone or go in. And that's what got me to term with those two pregnancies, those two babies.

I agree with considering a new doc... but first make a phone call to your current doc's office - that you require their reply to. Offer that you need more information or you'll consider moving to another office. If they drop you - you know. I'm guessing they'll, instead, recognize your anxiety and worry - and...

YOU KNOW your body and THIS BABY best. Follow your heart!

things i would recommend asking for are those mentioned below - rule out infections - you had an NST, but how about a (ohmygosh, i can't recall the name of it, brain stall...) the test they go and monitor size of baby via ultrasound - monitor movement, monitor the cord blood flow, etc - it's like a giant ultrasound and giant NST rolled into one. And absolutely, ask for more frequent NST's - see what that cord is doing in there. They can see them via u/s.

Remember, you are the patient - and if YOU need to call, go in, be monitored, YOU do have that right. You may also go directly to LABOR AND DELIVERY or ER for hearttones or monitoring. They REALLY take things seriously if you walk in. I believe our first visit there was free. And it was a full NST review.

I got pretty good at reading the scans, both U/S and NST hearttones - and wouldn't have it any other way.

I soooooo will be praying for you today! Follow your heart!

T.

I agree with the other posters, but I feel inclined to share what I am about to share, but it is not to alarm you, but it is to raise your awareness. My cousin lost one baby at 38 weeks and almost lost her second, but her second was delivered at 35 weeks, due to lack of movement (cord issues with both). My cousin said to take kick counts seriously, she said that you know your baby and you know when and how often your baby moves, she says that if you feel any change in how your baby moves, go in immediately. That is what saved her second baby. With NST not going well, I would ask for all the other things the other posters suggested, but I did want you to know that you have every right to do anything in your means to protect your unborn baby.

S.
Mother to 4 beautiful daughters 8,6,4, and two months (she was taken at 38 weeks, due to fear of what happened to my cousin)

You can switch docs or clinics up till you deliver. I'd make a phone call today and get a second opinion somewhere else!!! Something is causing your contractions and, even worse, your babies life may be in danger since she didn't do well on the nst......

It's very hard to be on bed rest with a toddler. I've had pregnancy complications and it's very tough with a family. I have to agree with you about your concerns. Sometimes mom's intuition is best! Are they scheduling you with weekly monitoring of the baby? Have they tested you for infection? If you're not happy then speak up!!! I would call in to the doctors office and stress your concerns and get some answers! Maybe there is a simple explanation going on and they just need to explain it to you!! Don't be afraid to ask. I would point out to the doctor exactly your concerns that you've raised and demand some answers!

I'll keep you and your baby in my prayers!

S.,
I had the same thing happen at about the same time in my last pregnancy. Turns out I had a bladder infection that was causing me to go into labor. I had the shots to stop my contractions and they came back again... but as soon as the infection cleared up they stopped. I hope they tested you for this...if not please ask your dr to do it asap.
Good luck.

S.,
Do you have any family or friends that would be able to help with your 17 month old? You really need to be on bedrest at this point. Has your doctor given you any steroid shots to help your baby's lungs? I would ask about this in case your baby is born premature (it speeds up their lung development). I was in the same situation as you (in the hospital twice for contractions). Both times they gave me steroid shots, and my baby was born six weeeks early. She is a healthy and happy little girl. Don't be afraid to stick up for what you want in testing. You are your baby's advocate. Also, ask for help from family and friends. Whatever you get will help. Good luck and hang in there.