My baby has stopped moving - what should I do?
Q: I'm 27 weeks pregnant with my first baby and over the last day or so I've not felt her move as much as normal. I always used to feel her moving when I was going to sleep at night. Should I get this checked out?
Midwife Nikki replies:
Yes. At 27 weeks you should feel your baby move regularly. She, like us, has sleeping and waking phases, so it may be that her sleep phase has altered and she's now moving more in the morning.
She should move at least 10 times in 24 hours and this does not have to be large movements; even slight ones count.
Changing position in bed may stimulate her to move, or even drinking a glass of cold water can work. If your blood sugar levels are low, her movements may also be more sluggish.
However, if you have any concerns about the movements reducing, you must contact the hospital so they can check everything is OK and monitor your baby's heartbeat.
Not only will this reassure you, but it will give you an opportunity to discuss any other concerns that you may have.
You may be given a 'kick chart', which will help you be more aware of your baby's movements and check that she has moved at least 10 times a day.
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