Baby charity Tommy’s has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of guidelines around monitoring foetal movements. 

Supported by NHS England and charity Kicks Count, the #MovementsMatter campaign challenges myths associated with baby movement during pregnancy and urges expectant mothers to seek medical advice if they notice that their baby’s movements have slowed or stopped. 

The campaign follows a report that found 55 per cent of women who had a stillbirth noticed their baby’s movements had slowed down or stopped. Yet a survey by Tommy’s of 1,318 pregnant women found that 73 per cent would delay asking for help if they noticed reduced movement. 

Jane Brewin, CEO of Tommy’s, said: “It is not true that babies move less often towards the end of pregnancy. A woman should feel her baby move right up to the time of labour, and during labour too. We urge women never to hesitate contacting their midwife or maternity unit for advice, no matter how many times this happens.”