In 60 seconds
Your short plan for this week
Identify the baby's familiar active periods and treat a clear reduction or unusual change as a same-day maternity contact.
Ask what assessment for reduced movement may involve so uncertainty about the visit does not delay a call.
Do not go to sleep hoping reduced movement will be normal by morning; call the route your team gave you.
What you may notice
Your body and how you may feel
Movement patterns should be becoming familiar. A clear slowdown or change should be checked promptly.
What is happening
Baby’s development this week
The senses and nervous system continue refining; movements may feel strong and patterned.
Plain-language examples
What this means in real life
Space becomes tighter, so movements can feel different, but healthy babies should not simply stop moving because the due date is nearer.
A short checklist
What to do now
- Identify the baby's familiar active periods and treat a clear reduction or unusual change as a same-day maternity contact.
- Discuss birth preferences, feeding support and early recovery.
- Notice your baby's usual movement pattern and act promptly on a clear change.
Pause and check
What not to do—or what to ask first
- Do not go to sleep hoping reduced movement will be normal by morning; call the route your team gave you.
What may be coming up
Appointments, tests and decisions
Ask what assessment for reduced movement may involve so uncertainty about the visit does not delay a call.
Choose birth and newborn learning
Look for evidence-based antenatal education that includes recovery and newborn care.
Write flexible birth preferences
Record what matters to you while allowing plans to change for safety or preference.
Discuss feeding support
Learn how feeding support is accessed and how to get help early, whichever feeding path you use.
Review pregnancy vaccinations
Confirm current and seasonal recommendations with your clinician.
For the support person
One useful thing a partner can do
- Keep the phone charged, know the route and take the concern seriously the first time it is mentioned.
Contact your care team
Contact your doctor or maternity team promptly
Some concerns need advice before the next routine appointment even when they do not feel like an emergency. If a symptom becomes severe, sudden or frightening, use urgent care instead.
See when to contact careUrgent or emergency
Urgent signs during pregnancy or within a year after birth
Get medical care immediately for these symptoms. The list is not exhaustive; if something feels seriously wrong, seek help.
Open urgent warning signs