Last Thursday (20w5d) I felt Phred's first definable "kicks". I'd been feeling movement since 15w5d, every now and again, sometimes every day, sometimes every two or three days. Bubbling, fluttering... I think the best comparison from my point was that it felt like the muscle tics you get in your eyes sometimes. But last Thursday it was three distinct movements, like someone tapping gently on my lower abdomen.
And then, nothing.
I didn't feel anything at all from Thursday morning until yesterday afternoon. I wasn't really worried, I figured he was just moving around so I couldn't feel anything. But yesterday was the five-day mark of not feeling anything, and all of a sudden I started freaking myself out.
Imagining how I would feel if Phred wasn't with me anymore. Imagining what I would post. How I would tell people.
I realized pretty quickly that that was just a bad road to be heading down. So I called my OB. They said to try eating something sweet then lie down and really concentrate on feeling something. And that I should come in the next day (i.e. this morning) for a heartbeat check.
Of course, as soon as I sat down once I got home, I felt more movement than I ever have before. And I felt her when I lay down to go to bed at night, which was a first. And then I felt her this morning after I had breakfast. And while I was sitting in the waiting room at the doc's office.
Hence feeling like an idiot. Fortunately, when I went in for the heartbeat check the nurse was really sweet about it, and said that they much prefer people to call and come in rather than being a wreck at home.
It was nice to hear his heartbeat again, and M came with me and got to hear it for the first time. So that was good. Even though I was pretty sure by that point that everything was fine, it was still nice to hear it. We had some fun with it too - at one point you could hear my heartbeat and Phreds at the same time, which was totally neat. We could also hear her kicking, and she was moving around quite a bit.
The nurse said that it's pretty common at this stage to go for a few days without feeling anything. Particularly if the baby's back is turned towards my front, so that he's kicking on the back side of the uterus. I also only have felt kicks down towards my pubic bone at this point, so I think if she's upside-down I probably can't feel anything from that yet either. So no more worries for the moment. And as he gets bigger it should become less and less of an issue.
16 comments:
I was so excited once I felt movement, until I realised it was yet another thing for me to worry about. Cue to a few days later when I suddenly felt no kicks for about 24 hours and completely freaked out. I somehow made it through my work day and jumped right on the doppler when I got home. I heard the heartbeat immediately, so now I try and recall that moment each time I start to worry.
Keep on kicking Phred!
Ugh what terrible thoughts to have to think without even trying to! I am so glad your babe is fine and you are too :)
I had the same problem a few times. When I asked my doctor she said not to even worry about not feeling them move consistantly until around 24 weeks. I do feel them consistantly now, but I feel baby A WAY more than B. It still freaks me out.
Yeah, those down times can be disconcerting. I'm glad Phred finally decided to give you some good swift kicks!
So excited to hear things are going well. I know that must have been very scary.
I don't think being concerned makes you an idiot at all. I think calling the doctor's office was the absolute right thing to do.
I am glad that your little one is moving around and that you are enjoyed this time.
I would have been terrified too. I am so glad it was nothing. I hope you scolded Phred sternly for worrying his mother.
Even your post scared me!
I just came across your blog... Congrats on the PG!
It is so scarry when you don't feel movement, I am glad everything is ok
Take care
Yes, once you feel the kicks and then don't for a few days, you do start to worry! Not long now until you feel Phred more consistently and will bring you some calmness. I think the "mothering" worry will never stop now! Enjoy the kicks while they are still cute! :)
It's wierd and fabulous all at the same time. I get worried about not feeling kicks sometime but I notice movement after eating sweet stuff too. And now the baby is starting to get hiccups and that's a very funny feeling!
It's so exciting once you feel movement. You did the right thing calling the docs. I'm glad everything is ok.
Take care.
phew! glad to hear all is well.
Hi Nico - So glad to hear things are going well. It's amazing how freaked out we can get isn't it? It's awful. I hope Phred behaves appropriately from here forward for you!
Dear Nico, I'm so glad your worries were groundless. It's so utterly exhausting, worrying all the time, isn't it? Let's hope Phred doesn't give you a second's scare from now on.
Nico - I'm glad that you called the OB and got everything checked out. It is such a reassuring thing to feel them move, isn't it?
If I don't feel kicking I've been known to poke and prod my tummy until I do feel movement.
But am glad that all is going good with you.
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