'It's horrid': Midwife encourages mums-to-be to always trust their instincts

A midwife for five years and mum-of-two, Amelia Lamont has plenty of experience of pregnancy from both sides.

And, over the years, she has noticed a common concern among expectant women: fears about their baby's movement. 

Posting on her Instagram account, The Midwife Mumma, Amelia, who is from Melbourne, wrote: 

"One of the most common phone calls us midwives take in the hospital is from women worried about their fetal movements. We can hear the panic in their voice as soon as they say hello. It’s horrid and our hearts start pumping with them."

 

A post shared by The Midwife Mumma (@themidwifemumma) on Mar 4, 2018 at 1:55am PST

 Amelia explains that a number of questions are asked following this type of phone: "when did you last feel baby move?", "have you had any bleeding?", "how many weeks are you?”.

However, she understands that at the end of the day a mother's instinct is always best. 

"And that is why more often then not we invite them straight in for a CTG monitor to reassure them and to check the wellbeing of their unborn baby. 

"Many women say 'I’m sorry to bother you' or 'look, I’m probably being silly and overreacting' or even better 'I was there last week with the same thing so I know baby will be fine but…'." 

 

A post shared by The Midwife Mumma (@themidwifemumma) on Mar 17, 2018 at 4:00am PDT

But, as Amelia says, no expectant mum who is worried about something is ever bothering their midwives. 

At the end of the day, all they care about is the health of Mum and Baby. 

"Firstly, you are never bothering us. You and your baby are our priority at all times. Secondly, you are never being silly or over-reacting.

"Who would take that chance? You felt a hunch and you did the right thing.

"Lastly, you can come every day with concerns regarding your baby’s movements and we will always take you seriously.

"Chances are Baby is quiet for a reason. NEVER underestimate your mum instincts, ever."

 

One of the most common phone calls us midwives take in the hospital is from women worried about their fetal movements ..we can hear the panic in their voice as soon as they say hello.. it’s horrid and our hearts start pumping with them.. A series of questions are asked “when did you last feel baby move? Have you had any bleeding? How many weeks are you?” But the reality is .. none of that matters.. a mothers instinct knows best and that is why more often then not we invite them straight in for a ctg monitor to reassure them and to check the well being of their unborn baby.. Many women say “I’m sorry to bother you”.. or “look I’m probably being silly & over reacting” .. or even better “I was there last week with the same thing so I know baby will be fine but…” .. firstly, you are never bothering us.. YOU & YOUR BABY are our priority at all times. Secondly, you are never being silly or over reacting.. who would take that chance? You felt a hunch & you did the right thing. Lastly, you can come every day with concerns regarding you baby’s movements and we will always take you seriously.. chances are baby is quiet for a reason.. NEVER underestimate your mum instincts, ever. My ob always told me.. ‘I don’t care what any test shows, if you feel something isn’t right it probably isn’t’ & bless him, never once let me feel like I was being a hypochondriac or melodramatic. Did you know that the average fetal movements felt is approximately 10 movements within 2 hours from around 26 weeks? Some have super active babies much earlier so the 10 in 2 rule would also apply to you. Most of the time we are way too busy to notice BUT if you are ever worried, always take a moment to lie down for a few minutes & more often then not baby will be bouncing away BUT & this is a BIG BUT.. IF you cannot feel baby OR you are dissatisfied with its movements ALWAYS call your hospital & speak to your midwife about your concerns. MUMMA knows best  THIS is one of the reasons I am also writing my Ebook..Because everything pregnancy & baby related that is essential for a healthy, happy pregnancy will be available to you in the click of a button  tag a preggy mumma to remind them

A post shared by The Midwife Mumma (@themidwifemumma) on Mar 20, 2018 at 1:36am PDT

So how often should Baby be moving? 

• The average fetal movements felt is approximately 10 movements within 2 hours from around 26 weeks
• Some have super active babies much earlier so the 10 in 2 rule would also apply to you.

"If you are ever worried, always take a moment to lie down for a few minutes and more often then not Baby will be bouncing away.  BUT and this is a BIG BUT… IF you cannot feel Baby OR you are dissatisfied with its movements, ALWAYS call your hospital and speak to your midwife about your concerns. MUMMA knows best."