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Support and advice

Fetal movements

When you're pregnant, feeling your baby move is an incredibly exciting time.

The first baby movements usually occur between 16-24 weeks and are difficult to describe but can feel like bubbles, light tapping or a swishing feeling - after a while you'll know them when you feel them!

When a baby is unwell, they may conserve energy by slowing down their movements.

This can be the first sign of a problem.

Baby movements in the womb, also known as fetal movements or ‘kicks’, can feel like anything from a flutter, kick, swish or roll. The type of movement may change as your pregnancy progresses.

There is no set number of normal movements you should be feeling – every baby is different. Get to know how your baby moves. From 16-24 weeks on you should feel the baby move up until you give birth. After 32 weeks, the movements will stay roughly throughout the rest of your pregnancy, including during labour.

Feeling your baby move is a sign they are well. If your baby moves less or if you notice a change from their normal pattern, this can be an important warning sign that your baby is unwell.

You should contact us immediately. Do not wait until the next day or next appointment. If you have additional risk factors, you may have an ultrasound scan to check on your baby’s growth and development.

No, you should not try to make your baby move. If you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed contact our team immediately using the contact information on the back of this leaflet.

Do not use any hand-held monitors, dopplers or phone apps to check your baby’s heartbeat. Even if you think you detect a heartbeat, this does not mean your baby is well because it might be your own heartbeat. You need to be checked by a healthcare professional.

If, after your check up, you are still not happy with your baby’s movement pattern, you must contact Triage even if everything was normal last time.

  • Never hesitate to contact the maternity triage unit for advice, no matter how many times this happens
  • It is not true that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy
  • You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour and during labour
  • Do not wait until the next day or until your next appointment to seek advice if you are worried about your baby’s movements.

Fewer movements could mean that your baby is unwell, but usually these checks reveal that everything is OK. Most women who have experienced one episode of fewer movements go on to have a straightforward pregnancy and healthy baby. It is very important that you are checked to make sure everything is OK.

Contact the maternity unit immediately if you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed. There are staff on the hospital maternity unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It is important for your doctors and midwives to know if your baby’s movements have slowed down or stopped. We want to hear from you.

Pregnancy complications

Sometimes things go wrong during pregnancy and you need extra care.

Tommy’s charity has an A-Z of pregnancy complications and information about when you should get help.

Support for mental health

Having a baby and becoming a parent is one of the most life-changing events we can experience. One in five women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth. This may be a new mental health problem or another episode of a mental health problem you’ve experienced before.

Your midwife will carry out a detailed assessment of your mental and physical wellbeing at the beginning of your pregnancy (the booking appointment) and will make sure that the right specialists are involved in your care. You may be seen by an obstetrician who specialises in mental health through pregnancy and after the birth. Mental health specialist midwives are available in all maternity services in Kent & Medway to make sure you receive the right care at the right time.

See the Bump, Birth & Beyond website for Kent and Medway advice, support and details of the services that could help you.

Support for domestic abuse

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, it’s important to know that it’s not your fault. Please speak to someone for help and support if you can. There is somebody available 24/7 on the free Refuge helpline 0808 2000 247.

For further advice, help and support available across Kent go to the domestic abuse services website.

Domestic Abuse Support Services in Kent and Medway

The Domestic Abuse Support in Kent website is a resource covering Kent and Medway which provides advice and information on services for victims, friends and family, and perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Website: https://www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk/

Karma Nirvana

Karma Nirvana is a national charity that supports victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. They work with and support all victims, regardless of age, faith, gender or sexuality.

Refuge

Refuge work to support women and children experiencing domestic abuse. They offer a freephone 24-hour domestic abuse helpline.