do babies get really still in-utero just before you go into labor?

Question

hi girls, i have been told that before you go into labor, the baby becomes much less active.  i've had a few early labor signs such as increased BH, some other types of contractions/cramping, tiny bit of spotting and loss of mucous plug....although i am only 1/2-1cm dialated.  my little girl is still SO active.  she is completely dropped, but every stretch or kick is so strong like she's trying to come out herself!  i feel like she hardly ever sleeps anymore!  a friend told me that before you go into labor, they are very still for almost a week.  is this true?  i can't imagine her ever being still.  she's always been very active.  do you think i have a long way to go because she is still kicking and stretching so much??  my 38th week begins on saturday.

any info appreciated!!!

krissyy · Answer

i'm having loads of BH, cramping and backaches as well.  but i think i am so used to being pregnant, that i will be in denial the day that i am actually in labor!!!

the only tricks i know are the ones that everyone talks about and you are probably already aware of:  stimulating your nipples, sex, spicy food, taking walks, massaging your ankles, drinking raspberry leaf tea, etc.  i don't know if they actually work, but this is what i always hear people recommend :-)  good luck to you!

chitten · Answer

I was told the same thing yet bub is still hyperactive! Had false labour last Friday which stopped sat morning and am having loads of BH and cramping and backache. Have a sweep on 21st if things havent started as i have SPD and am in loads of pain.

Anyone know any tricks to get things moving??? ;)

krissyy · Answer

ironically, she has slowed down today.  now today is just one day, but she is not nearly as wild as usual.  definitely still moving, but not the punches and wiggles i am used to.  i am so sorry to hear about your stillborn child.  i can't imagine anything more heartbreaking.  do you mind me asking what happened?  did you know before you delivered that he passed away?  i'm so sorry.

LosingMyMindInGA · Answer

you will notice a DECREASE in movement....but not a drastic one.  If your babies movements change drastically I would get checked out.  I was told that **** years ago so when I wasn't feeling my baby move at 37 weeks and went into labor i didn't think anything about it.  I got to the hospital, in labor, thinking I was gonna have my baby ...and I did...he was stillborn.  You will still feel the baby move a good bit...if movements decrease severely I would immediately go get checked.  As for my next few babies I felt them moving all the way up until they entered the birth canal to be delivered.

krissyy · Answer

hmmm...it sounds like maybe it does just depend on the baby then.  maybe if they are typically wild, they calm to a rate of what others would think is active but to the carriers of the wild child is feels calm.  and the calmer babies may slow to a more still.  she definitely doesn't flip and roll like she did because she's dropped and is too big for those sommersaults!!  but, she will let me know she is awake with her fidgetting and sudden kicks!!!  i think this girl will be dancing her entire way out of the womb!!  ha!! :-)

lori-40+ weeks!!  yikes!!!!  you must be pretty reading to meet that little boy!!!  i am 37 weeks and counting down the days!

Linzola1 · Answer

I am not too sure if they are really still before labor. I know when my son was born there was a peroid of time while I was in active labor that he didnt move much for a long peroid of time and they made me put on a oxygen mask because he was so still but he was ok... What they said was he was sleeping for the long journey...hehe

diva_lorri · Answer

i asked my ob this very question yesterday and he said...
that although they do slow down in the week/s prior to giving birth to 'relax and get ready' they also do still have moments of frequent active movement. Some babies can actually still be active even during labour (except during contractions). '
Im 40+1d weeks and still have an active lil mister in me! Ill be induced nect week if he doesnt come on his own, yahoo!

Best of luck 2u - it all sounds totally normal youve just got an active lil baby like me, lol

lorri :-)

krissyy · Answer

thank you girls! i must be a bit away. she hasn't moved as much today, but up until she has still been a wild woman! my belly doesn't seem to be getting any bigger...i'm surprised she still has room! she really pushes and stretches...the poor thing! i get klaustrophobic whenever i think about it!

Tracy21 · Answer

yes the baby stops moving so much before labour its due to less room in the womb you should still feel the baby move but not all that good luck

lamb18 · Answer

Actually I was told the same thing at my doctors appointment last Monday. I told the nurse that my little one wasn't as active as she has been and the nurse said, "you know, that's a sign that she might come early". She said that thier activity does slow before birth. But, just like pregnancy in general, maybe it's different for everyone? I wouldn't worry too much about it. Good luck!