Contact the maternity team
If you need advice and are pregnant and currently receiving care at the PRUH, have just given birth at the PRUH, or have had a home birth with the PRUH:
Urgent queries (24 hours a day, 7 days a week): Maternity Telephone Assessment Line 01689 863 572
Non-urgent queries (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm): contact your community midwife team:
- Beacon team tel: 01689 866 811 email: kch-tr.br-beacon@nhs.net
- Blenheim team tel: 01689 866 372 email: kch-tr.br-blenheim@nhs.net
- Links team tel: 01689 864 920 email: kch-tr.linksmidwives@nhs.net
- Oaks team tel: 020 3910 7286 or 020 3910 7287 or email: kch-tr.br-oaks@nhs.net
- Ravensbourne team tel: 01689 864 819 email: kch-tr.br-ravensbourne@nhs.net
- Sapphire team tel: 01689 864 820 email: kch-tr.sapphireteam@nhs.net
Baby movements
You should become aware of your baby’s movements between weeks 16 to 24. However, if this is your first pregnancy, you may not become aware until around 20 weeks.
These movements may feel like a flutter, swish, roll, or kicks. As they grow, the number and type of movements will change, and a pattern may develop. Typically, babies are most active during the afternoon and evenings. They have sleep patterns where they don’t move during both day and night for about 20 to 40 minutes (and rarely up to 90 minutes).
The number of movements tends to increase until 32 weeks and then stay about the same. As you near your due date, movements may change. Even during labour, you should feel your baby moving.
If you notice that your baby is moving less than usual, you cannot feel their movements anymore, or their usual pattern of movement changes, call immediately. Do not wait.
Our Maternity Assessment and Triage unit operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and your midwife will advise you if they need to check your baby’s movements and heartbeat. Reduced movements could mean your baby is unwell. Call our Maternity Helpline on 01689 863 572. Our midwives will be available to help, even in the middle of the night.
More information about fetal movements
- Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well flyer (Tommy’s Pregnancy Hub) – an audio version or language translation of this flyer is also available
- Your baby’s movements (NHS website)
Other useful contact details
Orpington Hospital
Orpington community administrator: 01689 864 818
Orpington antenatal clinic: 01689 863 560
Queen Mary’s Hospital (QMS)
QMS community appointments: 020 3910 7290
Beckenham Beacon
Beckenham Beacon community administrator: 01689 866 640
Beckenham Beacon receptionist: 01689 866 603
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
(PALS) offers support, information and assistance to patients, relatives and visitors. They can also provide help and advice if you have a concern or complaint that staff have not been able to resolve for you.