Should I be worried if I haven't felt my baby moving today? What could be causing my stomach pains and fluctuations in size?

Question

Should I be concerned if I haven't felt my baby moving today? Additionally, I experience stomach pains that vary in intensity and size. What might be the underlying cause of these symptoms?

Answer 1

Hey mumma,

I remember when I hit the mid-second trimester I would have days where bub seemed really quiet and it would totally freak me out, only to have a dance party in there the next day. Babies sleep and change positions all the time, and their little kicks can be cushioned by the placenta, especially if yours is anterior. What helped me was having a cold drink or something sweet and lying on my left side for a few minutes usually that woke him up so I could feel some wiggles.

As for your tummy, those pulling and achy sensations can be a lot of things – round ligament pain from everything stretching, trapped gas, even just muscles aching from carrying extra weight. I’d wake up with a nice neat bump and by bedtime look 6 months bigger because of bloating! It's annoying but usually not a sign of anything scary. Gentle stretches, warm showers and keeping hydrated can ease it a bit.

If you ever go a whole day with no movements despite trying to poke and prod, or the pain gets sharp or you get bleeding, it’s always worth calling your midwife just for peace of mind. We know our bodies best, and sometimes a quick check puts your mind at ease. Hang in there – these little ones like to keep us guessing!