Really Stupid Question

[Trish]

OK, as the title says I feel this is a really stupid question. Something I should know the answer to, and something that is probably really obvious to others.

Here goes.

We all get told that eating ice or having a cold drink will make our babies move. And, yes this does work.

But HOW ??? I mean, it's not like the ice cube goes through the bloody cord.


So how does bub feel the coldness ??

[DoulaRelle]

Ok Trish - here goes my take on the situation:

Maybe the coldness temporarily lowers our body temperature via our blood and like we shiver to warm up, bubs moves to warm up!

Nah, I have no idea hun, don't forget I am 3 pregnancies down so my brain cells are significantly reduced!

[bailey99]

Maybe because they are close to your stomach they can feel the cold from there?? I think it is actually a good question.

[Phteven]

I always thought that it was because they were next to your stomach - kind of like if someone put an ice-block on your doona lol.

[Liz]

Yeah, I thought it was a next to the stomach thing. I find standing a hot cuppa or a cold drink on the belly gets her moving too

[Nadine216]

Not stupid question!
I have not noticed that with my pg, but it could definatly be that bub feels the temp throught your stomach (everything is so close and smashed together anyhow)

[Alan]

Hi Trish
First it is not a stupid question. You have probably been told to do this by a midwife a number of times but never been told why or how it works. I often advise women to try this if they are worried that their baby is not moving much and I can’t remember ever telling one of them why it works. So it would be a change in my normal practice if I told you how it works dont you

[Liz]

LOL Alan - can't give away trade secrets huh? Part of the midwife 'code'.

[Cricket]

Like the others, I've assumed it's because the baby feels your stomach cool down and tries to move away from the cold.

[Trish]

PMSL. See Alan, so you are all the same

Thanks for the replies girls

[Alan]

OK girls here is.
The reason why a cold drink usually makes your baby move. Well perhaps not the real reason because no one knows for sure but the theory is that the cold sensation does have a part to play but this is only a small part of the whole deal. It is suggested that the sudden boost in fluid and sugar level in your body stimulates your baby to move that is why we usually recommend you drink cold OJ or lemonade or some other sweet drink.

[katkins]

I was also told that a big blood vessel runs down past stomach and oesophagus and the cold drink cools the blood which bubs feels. I was told it only lowered the blood slightly but bubs can def feel it. I agree with the sugar and fluid boost too tho Alan. Just letting u know what I was told by midwives who I was under last pgcy.

[Liz]

Does the boost get through that quickly tho? It's pretty immediate. The cold sensation makes more sense to me initially. But I guess she KEEPS wriggling coz of the sugar! LOL.

[Trish]

OK, so question answered.

Kind of. LOL.

What happens when it's just water or ice though. No sugar content then

[Alan]

Don't know. I don't suggest just ice or ice water. But one of the big problems we have with pregnent women is dehydration. And if you are a little dehydrated then your baby's movements will slow down. Perhaps when just using ice or ice water it is the reduction in the level of dehydration that does it.

[Trish]

I only ask because I am always drinking water or having ice. It is nothing for me to walk past the freezer and half fill a cup with ice cubes and then some water and sit down to munch on the ice.

Bub ends up going off, poor little thing. Still that craving is alot healthier for me than others. Not so good for my teeth though.