Increased fetal movement

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

Ever had a paient admitted with this diagnosis??? We had one sent to us recently..seems the doc thought it was odd enough to send her in. Ordered a CBC and a US for fetal growth and fluid level. Turns out everything looked good and she was sent home. She was about 31 weeks. Said the baby was moving around so much it was painful.She was a Para 1.

Ever heard of this??? When we ordered the US and put it the diagnosis the tech called us to "correct" us and tell us we surely meant to type in "DECREASED" fetal movement...LOL..:nono:

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Can't say we did an U/S based on "increased fetal movement" unless intrauterine seizure or heart arryhthmias were suspected. Usually, we do NSTs in such cases, and anything is suspect, then an u/s may be indicated. Also in most cases, not much can be done, anyhow until birth. But at least, if we know a fetus is having problems, we can anticipate them and perhaps, if need be, have them deliver in a higher-level unit or have a ped there at the delivery.

Hope this makes sense. I realize I am just fishing here.

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Specializes in RN.

I have heard of increased movement in fetuses that have cord issues. I have heard stories of women notice increase fetal movement right before a cord accident resulting in stillbirth:(

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I have heard of increased movement in fetuses that have cord issues. I have heard stories of women notice increase fetal movement right before a cord accident resulting in stillbirth:(

Me too.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

yeah, I was thinking about the baby getting wrapped in the cord...but was thinking what could we do at this point..even if it showed a nuchal on the US? Would she deliver her at 31 weeks? Could she NOT deliver her after sending her in and seeing it? Tough spot to be in!

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.
yeah, I was thinking about the baby getting wrapped in the cord...but was thinking what could we do at this point..even if it showed a nuchal on the US? Would she deliver her at 31 weeks? Could she NOT deliver her after sending her in and seeing it? Tough spot to be in!

I bet the doc would have kept this patient in the hospital on continuous monitoring until delivery..if it would have shown a nuchal on US....just waiting for an excuse to deliver....come to think of it..

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Probably right.

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I have heard of increased movement in fetuses that have cord issues. I have heard stories of women notice increase fetal movement right before a cord accident resulting in stillbirth:(

I've heard this too, that increased, frantic fetal movement can precede fetal death related to some kind of cord or placenta issue.

I think I may have read that in What to Expect... though, which is a horrible, scary book IMO.

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Specializes in Acute Dialysis.

A nurse I worked with went through this and lost her baby near term. She was in the office waiting room with her husband for a routine visit and commented on how active the baby was, kicking etc. By the time she was seen in the exam room there were no FHT's. She was sent for an immediate induction. She had a very difficult accepting that her baby was gone initially as he had been extremely active minutes before. It was a very diffcult, tragic time.

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Specializes in postpartum, nursery, high risk L&D.
A nurse I worked with went through this and lost her baby near term. She was in the office waiting room with her husband for a routine visit and commented on how active the baby was, kicking etc. By the time she was seen in the exam room there were no FHT's. She was sent for an immediate induction. She had a very difficult accepting that her baby was gone initially as he had been extremely active minutes before. It was a very diffcult, tragic time.

I know a woman who this happened to also

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I had a patient admitted with this diagnosis and was scheduled for a c/section at 12 since she was repeat anyway. At 11 that morning the baby went crazy with movement. WE lost the fhr, rushed her back and the baby had nuchal x7.... That is the only time I have ever had that many. The cord was more than 3 foot long. The doctor told us anytime we had something supicious like increased fetal movement that we should always have continous fetal monitoring. He takes it very seriously.

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I have heard of increased movement in fetuses that have cord issues. I have heard stories of women notice increase fetal movement right before a cord accident resulting in stillbirth:(

I saw this as well on a medical show where a baby had developed a "natural knot".....the woman was an RN and "made up" a couple of symptoms to make sure that her doctor would see her and she said she had a panic like never before, and couldn't explain it. She insisted on a c-section immediately and the doctor went on her gut instinct.

They found the knot when they delivered the baby.

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